Meet Alan Stewart, a former Marine who transitioned to civilian life in 1996 and has overcome significant challenges in his life. After experiencing five years of homelessness, Alan found hope through the support of HVAF by joining our transitional housing and VetWorks programs.

“I just needed some stable ground,” Alan said.

While volunteering (which he does almost every single day) at HVAF, Alan was housed at our Manchester Apartments, and on the night of the fire on October 26, he lost everything.

“I was fixing to cook myself something to eat when someone banged on my door, shouting about the smoke… after that, it went so fast,” Alan said, recalling the night of the fire. Alan was one of the 48 veterans who lost not just the roof over their heads, but everything they owned.

“Today I’ve only got the same things I first came here with, but everyone got out and no one got hurt in the fire,” Alan said.

Since the night of the fire, HVAF has successfully relocated seven of the displaced veterans into permanent housing, while another three have been provided with temporary housing at HVAF’s Warman properties. Alan, along with the rest of the displaced veterans, is still being sheltered in various hotels throughout the city. Collaborating closely with community partners, HVAF staff is exhausting every resource, seeking out appropriate housing solutions as soon as they become available.

While Alan and our HVAF family have renewed their efforts to help him find permanent housing after the fire, Alan recently found a reason to celebrate despite the recent tragedy. On November 14, Alan was one of the 51 veterans who graduated from phase one of our VetWorks program!

This program serves as a multi-phase, collaborative workforce development initiative to equip and train veterans experiencing homelessness, and those at risk of homelessness, to obtain and maintain good, promising jobs in Central Indiana.

Alan is so excited to have completed phase one, as he accumulates the skills needed to hopefully secure a full-time job. “VETWorks helps us be prepared for when we find that job and gives us the skills we need,” Alan said.

Your generous donations make it possible for veterans like Alan to rebuild their lives and achieve their dreams.

Join us in supporting Alan and others on their journey to success and to get up-to-date information on the recovery of our displaced veterans like Alan – click here!