HVAF BLOG

Check out our latest stories, events, and the best part of the job: our success stories.

 
February 20, 2025

Roger That Podcast Season 3 Episode 2 – Creating lasting smiles!

New Episode Alert!  Welcome back to season three of Roger That, a podcast presented by HVAF! Today, we’ll be spotlighting Army and National Guard veteran Gilbert—better known as Gibby. Gibby’s story is one of resilience, as he’s faced challenges that would seem insurmountable to many […]
February 12, 2025

Message from the CEO: Recapping the Busy Kick Off to the Legislative Session

The Indiana General Assembly legislative session began in January and is off to a busy start with bills that impact HVAF and the veterans we serve. I want to provide a recap of our advocacy efforts for this session. House Bill 1662: Criminalization of Homelessness […]
February 10, 2025

A Reason to Smile: Transforming Lives, One Veteran at a Time

It’s often hard to quantify the visible and invisible struggles veterans face after their time in service. For Army veteran Gilbert —better known as Gibby—life after the military presented a series of challenges. Transitioning from a role as a tank commander in the U.S. Army […]
January 15, 2025

Serving Up Hope: How HVAF Helped James Rediscover His Passion for Cooking

When James first approached HVAF, he was looking for more than just assistance—he was searching for a second chance. A Navy veteran hailing from Chicago, James had faced his share of challenges after leaving the military. But thanks to his determination, a heartwarming passion for […]
January 6, 2025

Engaging with Andrea: A Holiday Season to Remeber

Christmas time is especially important for children, as their innocence provides dreams of Santa leaving their most sought after wishes under the Christmas tree. Thanks to the generosity of our community partners, HVAF provided gifts for a total of 62 families, 375 individuals, hoping to […]
January 2, 2025

Roger That Podcast Ep 30: The 12 Veterans of Christmas!

New Episode Alert! Miss out on our 12 Veterans of Christmas? Don’t worry—this episode is for YOU! On this very special episode of Roger That, we are joined by Lauren Mardis, our Rapid Rehousing Coordinator here at HVAF, to revisit and recap the incredible success […]
December 31, 2024

12 Vets Of Christmas – 2024

That’s a wrap on the 12 Veterans of Christmas! As we bring these days to a close, we reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve embarked on together. Each day, we’ve had the privilege of sharing inspiring stories of veterans who have overcome significant challenges in […]
December 10, 2024

An impactful semester at HVAF with Mackenzie

My name is Mackenzie Triscik, and I am currently serving as the Marketing & Communications Intern at HVAF. I began my internship in August and am set to wrap up this week. I’ve always wanted to work for an organization that positively impacts the community, […]
November 22, 2024

Roger That Podcast Ep 27: The Fire at Manchester Apartments

On October 26, at around 9:30 P.M., a catastrophic fire occurred at HVAF of Indiana’s Manchester Apartments, located at 960 N. Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indianapolis. This facility served as a transitional housing property for 48 homeless veterans. An investigation led by The Bureau of […]
November 20, 2024

When the Flames Rise, Heroes Shine

In the Manchester Apartments community, life changed in an instant on the night of Oct. 26. A devastating fire swept through the building, leaving 48 veteran residents to grapple with the aftermath. Among them was Crystal, a Navy veteran whose resilience and bravery have inspired […]
November 19, 2024

Alan’s Journey of Resilience and Hope

Meet Alan, a former Marine who transitioned to civilian life in 1996 and has overcome significant challenges in his life. After experiencing five years of homelessness, Alan found hope through the support of HVAF by joining our transitional housing and VetWorks programs. “I just needed […]
November 19, 2024

Engaging with Andrea: A Night with the Stars!

For 27 years, the Pacers have organized their “Come to Our House” dinner at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for non-profits dedicated to ending homelessness in Indianapolis, and this marks the third year in a row that star point guard Tyrese Haliburton has hosted this wonderful event. The […]
November 14, 2024

Operation Alpha’s Triumph for Veterans

In the heart of Indianapolis, a remarkable event unfolded as HVAF’s 11th Annual Operation Alpha fundraising event took center stage. With an overwhelming response from our community, tickets sold out more than a month ahead, marking our very first completely sold-out night! The event, presented […]