Ralph and his daughter Lakin with RTV6’s camera crew

Ralph, a U.S. Air Force veteran who overcame substance abuse and homelessness and then regained custody of his young daughter, is an HVAF success story that will be featured at 7:30 p.m. on September 4 on RTV6 as part of United Way of Central Indiana’s annual simulcast.

Ralph lists at least four United Way agencies that helped him: HVAF of Indiana, Inc. for basic needs, recovery, counseling and support; Goodwill Industries, for job training; Second Helpings, for meals while in recovery; and Child Advocates, for help regaining custody of his daughter. He admits there may be others in the background that he’s simply not aware were at bat for him.

Ralph’s story drives home the reality that people’s troubles are more often complex than they are simple. And that means they can rarely be solved by one agency or one program. It’s one of the reasons giving to United Way has such a deep and wide impact.

Of the 400 veterans who have come through HVAF’s Residential Employment Substance Abuse Treatment program, 60 percent have either secured permanent housing or a job.

To see Ralph tell his own story, tune in to RTV6 at 7:30 p.m. on September 4. On that day in that half hour, all our local stations will air short stories about how anyone who gives to United Way is helping Ralph and thousands more turn their lives around.