Help A Veteran Today

On March 29, HVAF launched the third season of our podcast. Roger That is an opportunity to share more about our mission, our partners, and the veterans we serve. And, for the first time, I am the host! I am excited to share impactful stories with you and uplift individuals dedicated to service.

March 29 was National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which was permanently established by legislation co-sponsored by Indiana’s own Senator Joe Donnelly in 2017. Episode 1 this season featured one of HVAF’s founders, and Vietnam Veteran, Steve Peck. After returning from Vietnam, Steve was motivated to action after filming documentaries about homelessness. As he described during our conversation, he filmed a documentary about homeless veterans living on Venice Beach and determined to move from behind the camera to the social work field to make a direct impact on the lives of those who served our country.

Episode 2, which we will soon release, features Senator Joe Donnelly, who also recently served as Ambassador to the Vatican. He shared his heartfelt admiration and devotion to service members and military families. His service in Congress, both in the House and Senate, was shaped by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the impact on Hoosier families. Among his proudest achievements are his work to provide mental health support for service members, including the Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act of 2014 ensures that every member of the military will have an annual, in-person, mental health assessment. I can’t wait for you to hear the Senator’s full interview!

We close each episode this season asking our guest what service means to them. I have been so amazed by the answers so far! Steve Peck shared that service is to move beyond ourselves and egos, and be instruments of healing for veterans who have been let down so many times. I thought it such an eloquent way to describe the work that happens at HVAF everyday. With your support, our team is an instrument of healing. Healing wounds, often decades old, that allow veterans and families to reclaim their lives, to end their homelessness, to find the perfect job, to find peace.

I hope you will listen this season as we engage with policy makers, difference makers, and partners in the fight to end veteran homelessness!

Catch up with episode 1 below: