Thomas Gasta, Author at HVAF

December 1, 2011

The long journey home with Fred Young

Fred Young’s father had served in WW2,and with eleven siblings, Fred says he didn’t want to be a burden on his parents. So, in 1975, after graduating high school, eighteen year old Fred Young, wide-eyed and full of hope, packed his bags and headed off […]

December 20, 2011

HVAF of Indiana, Inc. Runner of the Month

This month HVAF client Mike C. (photographed on the far right) has been recognized as Back on My Feet Runner of the Month. “Mike takes running very seriously,” says Brian Meyer, program director with Back on My Feet. “He has a positive attitude and I’m […]

December 28, 2011

IUPUI students give back to HVAF of Indiana, Inc.

IUPUI students with the School of Public & Environmental Affairs dropped off more than 60 boxes of warm clothes & canned meat collected by the Public Affairs Student Association (PASA) at IUPUI. “The men and women who entered our military were willing to give their […]

January 4, 2012

HVAF of Indiana, Inc. client William W. on his new path for the New Year

As a boy William W. lost his mother. “My childhood wasn’t easy. I felt like my world ended when my mother passed away,” William says. “I went to live with my extended family but felt like I never fit in, because I thought that my […]

January 26, 2012

HVAF of Indiana, Inc. Volunteer Spotlight

A longtime supporter of veterans’ causes, Becky O’Conner dedicates much of her personal time to giving back. “My father was a veteran and I have a lot of respect for his service to our country,” says Becky. Becky has been a member of Auxiliary Post […]

January 31, 2012

New HVAF program emphasizes family support

2011 was a rough year for Bridget. She found herself nearly homeless with no other options to help her and her family survive. Feeling this overwhelming burden, Bridget found out about the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) at hvaf.org. “After losing my job, I […]

February 3, 2012

Couple reunites at HVAF of Indiana, Inc.

Joel and Candy reunite under one roof Joel, a U.S. Army veteran, and his fiancé Candy were near homeless. Running out of money and hope, Joel was sleeping on his son’s couch. They were madly in love and newly engaged but living apart. HVAF of […]

February 3, 2012

Ralph’s road to recovery

A father to 6-year-old daughter Lakin, Ralph M. came to HVAF near homeless, separated from his family, and determined to recover from addiction and one day gain full-custody of his daughter. Ralph served in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Police Training Officer for […]

February 9, 2012

HVAF joins Ranger on last mile to raise awareness for homeless vets

HVAF veterans ran alongside 28-year-old Cpl. Cory Smith, who had just finished a 565-mile bike and run trek in 28 days from Columbus, Ga. to Indianapolis, Ind., in an effort to raise awareness of veteran issues, such as homelessness. Cpl. Smith, who faced his own […]