Recovery Day for HVAF veterans
September 18, 2015Employee spotlight – Curtis Wiliamson
November 1, 2015Employee Spotlight – Kayla Jackson
This month, we recognize Kayla Jackson who just celebrated two years with HVAF last month and is one of seven Case Managers with the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.
Kayla’s contributions to the nonprofit sector began 7 years ago in Hendricks County where she worked one-on-one helping families. Then, she worked in Marion County and helped elementary school children with skills training.
Kayla is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Social Work at IUPUI. When asked why she chose to work at HVAF, Kayla recalls an emotional time in her life, “I had a close friend who joined the military when he was 20 years old. When he returned home he struggled with PTSD and he struggled with depression. In 2013 we lost him to suicide. This led me to want to make a difference,” adds Kayla. “And I knew that HVAF was the place I wanted to work to put the skills I have learned into action.”
Kayla’s role as Case Manager involves working with near homeless and homeless veterans. She tells us that what inspires her are seeing clients, “accomplish the goals they have established for themselves after having to overcome so many barriers in their lives. Whether that’s finding gainful employment that increases their positive sense of self-worth, finally getting access to the healthcare they’ve needed to treat illnesses that affected their lives for years, or having a small apartment they can call their own.”
“These are things most of us take for granted.” says Kayla but for people who have experienced chronic homelessness in their lives, it means the difference between barely surviving and actually living the life they’ve dreamed for themselves.”