Lauren Carpenter, Author at HVAF

January 10, 2023

Engaging with Andrea: Providing the Magic of Christmas

Christmas always seems to be experienced best through the priceless reaction of children. Their eyes twinkle, their faces light up, and their excitement and joy contain a pureness many adults have long forgotten. Through children, we can see the magic of Christmas! So, imagine if […]

January 11, 2023

January 11, 2023

Message from the CEO: Happy New Year!

A new year is a time of resolutions and fresh starts for many. It reminds us of new opportunities and new possibilities as we look forward to the next 12 months. At HVAF, we hit the ground running in 2023. We are looking forward to […]

January 11, 2023

Navy veteran Al: “HVAF gives me room to grow”

After discharging from the military, life seemed great for Navy veteran Al. A friend helped him get a job at a factory in his hometown Kokomo, and later he went on to run his own tiling business. It wasn’t until recently when Al fell on […]

January 23, 2023

Navy vet received certifications that lead him to “lucrative and rewarding life” thanks to HVAF and BWF

After serving in the Navy for two years, Robert had difficulty with the transition to civilian life. He described the transition as “culture shock.” “I was a Boatswain in the Navy, so my skills didn’t transfer,” Robert said. “I took the first job I could […]

January 26, 2023

Meet Team HVAF: Mallory

We are so thankful to have Mallory as the VetWorks Employment Specialist and Workforce Development Intake Specialist for HVAF! Get to know Mallory: How long have you worked at HVAF? A little over a year!! How are you specifically helping the VetWorks program? I started […]

February 7, 2023

Message from COO: 2022 Outcomes & Black History Month

As we enter the month of February, my hope is that your 2023 year has started off well and you are already reaping the benefits of those resolutions you made at the turn of the year. This time of year allows for some reflection of […]

February 7, 2023

Army veteran Berry: “HVAF advocated for me!”

After losing his job due to the company making cuts, Army veteran Berry found himself homeless. Thankfully he found HVAF and was safely housed at Manchester Apartments – one of HVAF’s transitional housing units. After working to overcome barriers with his case manager, he now […]

February 14, 2023

Marine veteran Pat has volunteered at HVAF since 2012!

After graduating from high school, Pat joined the Marine Corps in order to save money for college. He spent 1969 in Vietnam. “Fortunately, I came home just fine,” Pat said. “I learned a lot.” After the military, Pat attended and graduated from Ball State University […]

February 27, 2023

HVAF’s Veterans Villa has given Michael “a family” during cancer battle

Time in the military After losing his job in 1977, Michael decided to enlist in the Army so he could keep his car. He worked as a dispatcher and mechanic until 1980. With February being Black History Month, Michael could not recall any remembrance or […]