HVAF BLOG
Check out our latest stories, events, and the best part of the job: our success stories.
May 27, 2016
Tim, 57, joined the Army in 1978 because he wanted to try something new. He had previously been working at the YMCA in Peru, Indiana, and he hoped to find some adventure and value in serving his country. His father and his two stepfathers had […]
April 28, 2016
A grassy spot along Shadeland Avenue and 38th Street was once home to Scott S. until a concerned passerby decided to give the veteran a needed hand up. Before the help, he bounced around, staying at hotels and on the streets after his service in the […]
April 28, 2016
Frank Islas is a member of the UAW Local 933 veterans’ community. In the past this group has held various food and hygiene drives for HVAF. In February, the UAW Greater Marion County Cap Council approached Frank along with UAW Racing to propose holding […]
April 28, 2016
From the front door to the mailbox, it’s easy to take keys for granted. Until you don’t have them. “Homeless people don’t need keys very much. There’s not too much that you have to unlock.” And that was the case for Robert M., when the […]
April 28, 2016
HVAF of Indiana is fortunate to receive donations which make a real difference for homeless veterans. Eva Yackey is a member of the American Legion Post 145 Auxiliary and first approached HVAF of Indiana in January 2016. Her friend from the Legion asked her if […]
March 25, 2016
Lamont at HVAF Lamont is a four-year Navy veteran who served on six deployments. As a shipping and receiving clerk he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. When his service ended, Lamont struggled to find work. In 1987, he was hired at G&G Metal Spinners where he […]
March 25, 2016
A wide range of groups are currently collecting or helping to bring water to needy residents in Flint, Michigan where 100,000 residents have no clean drinking water due to lead-contamination. Veterans in HVAF’s Vet2Vet group have teamed up with Dollar General #6874 to collect bottled […]
March 25, 2016
Nancy and Angela at HVAF It was a billboard sign along a highway about HVAF serving homeless veterans that caught Nancy Hart’s eyes. It was a last minute cancellation that gave Angela a chance at a piano lesson where she would meet Nancy. It was […]
March 16, 2016
Iowa State University’s Greek Alternative Spring Break students had the opportunity to volunteer at HVAF of Indiana. Members tied their experiences to their fraternal values through a series of visits to not-for-profits across Central Indiana. Twenty members volunteered on March 16 to paint the American flag […]
March 14, 2016
Gary at HVAF Many veterans return from serving in the military to face enormous financial burdens. Gary T., 52, is no different. In the mid-80’s he joined the U.S. Navy and worked as a Radar Operator managing tactical and navigational charts. After serving, he moved […]
February 24, 2016
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) […]
February 22, 2016
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 22, 2016
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
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
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 […]