Advocacy Archives | Page 16 of 24

January 25, 2016

Homeless veteran serves as mentor

After serving in the Navy stateside for four years, starting a family and having a lengthy career in medicine, Jim. W., 56, found himself homeless and struggling with drugs and substance abuse. “My wife had gotten sick and we went through some rocky times together,” […]

January 25, 2016

Software provider volunteers at HVAF

First time volunteers Lindsey McLelland and five others from Blackbaud, a supplier of software and services, volunteered at HVAF in December. The group sorted and stocked donations in HVAF’s clothing pantry. Lindsey was introduced to HVAF through a co-worker and then researched volunteer opportunities at […]

January 25, 2016

Empowering veterans by explaining expungement

U.S. Army veteran Sam M. desperately wanted to attend his grandmother’s funeral. He did, but immediately following the viewing he was escorted back to his jail cell. He was scared and alone. In 1996, Sam had been convicted of a drug charge and sentenced to […]

February 17, 2016

The Home Depot Foundation provides veterans a breath of fresh air

An Indianapolis veteran will be breathing a bit easier today thanks in part to the Home Depot Foundation. Daniel M., 56, struggled with breathing problems as a child. At 18, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. But that didn’t stop him from joining the Navy in […]

February 22, 2016

Veteran battles the downs in life

Born in Spencer, Indiana, Roy, 57, served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Before his life fell apart and before drugs and alcohol brought him down, he was a tough and proud soldier. Still, nothing could prepare him for homelessness. In March 2013, Roy sought help at […]

February 22, 2016

Local truck club helps homeless veterans

The sound of pick-up trucks could be heard rumbling into the parking lot at HVAF on January 24. You could hear them coming from blocks away. Twenty-three pickup trucks in all converged in the parking lot with a donation for homeless veterans. Fifty members of […]

February 22, 2016

Volunteer impact is far-reaching

Eight volunteers spent the afternoon of January 27 in the food pantry at HVAF. When the American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters Accounting Team arrived, there were bags and boxes of new food and hygiene donations lining the hallway, with more in the pantry. The donations […]

February 22, 2016

Employment services offer new opportunities for veterans at HVAF

February 18 at 7:30am was a noteworthy date for Mark B., 51, a native of Houston, Texas. He returned back to work after 10 years of intermittent homelessness, job loss and countless setbacks. Mark currently calls Wheeler Mission home and is an electrician by trade. […]

February 24, 2016

A veteran at HVAF gets a wake up call

Freddie, 57, is a veteran who came to HVAF for help in recovery. He served in the Army from 1976-79 and enjoyed traveling. He says years of substance abuse led to medical problems. In August 2015, he entered HVAF’s Residential, Employment, Substance Abuse, Treatment (REST) […]