A tough few years

A few years ago, Army veteran Joe moved from southern Indiana to Indianapolis so he could live closer to the VA Hospital. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Joe got laid off. He found another job but faced an additional hurdle when getting a hernia. His health issues led to Joe losing his job AND home – with nowhere to live.

After going to Wheeler Mission for help, they pointed him to HVAF for further assistance.

“HVAF gives you a chance to stand up on your own two feet again,” Joe said. “You couldn’t ask for a better place.”

Not even a few weeks later, his case manager, Bobby, called him and said he found Joe a home! Since May 2021, Joe has lived at NeighborCare of Chapel Hill, a senior living community in Indianapolis.

Joe at NeighborCare

“I love it,” Joe said. “There are a lot of fun things to do and a lot of great people.”

Bobby said he enjoyed working with him, as Joe made it super easy for him to help. As a fellow Army veteran, Bobby and Joe got along great!

“I tend to build relationships with the veterans because I’m a veteran myself,” Bobby said. “I have the ideology in my mind that I owe them because they paved the way for my career in the military to go the way it had. Anything I can do for those that served before me is my privilege.”

NeighborCare has housed HVAF’s senior veterans for many years now. The partnership has led to them becoming a monetary supporter, including being a sponsor for HVAF’s annual fundraiser – Operation Alpha.

“I think this is a great partnership with NeighborCare,” Bobby said. “They’re big supporters of us and do anything they can to help us house veterans.”

A new career

Joe not only lives at NeighborCare, but he also now works there. First hired on as a painter, he said he does a little bit of everything for the housekeeping team.

“We have a lot of people here who are elderly and some of them need help,” Joe said. “It don’t bother me, I love to help people. And if I can put a smile on someone’s face, it just makes my day.”

His supervisor, Director of Maintenance Jeremy Spence, said he is thankful to have Joe on his team.

“There’s not a lot I have to ask of him,” Jeremy said. “You couldn’t ask for a better person.”

When you come to NeighborCare, you will see Joe walking around and saying hello to all of the residents and staff members – being on a first name basis with everyone. He hasn’t had family since 2008, but now says he finally has a family again.

“This is the perfect place for me.”

Joe is one of many homeless veterans in Indiana. In fact, 1 in 10 homeless Hoosiers are veterans! Help us end veteran homelessness today:

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