HVAF BLOG
Check out our latest stories, events, and the best part of the job: our success stories.
November 1, 2015
James Ballard James Ballard grew up in upstate New York on his parents’ dairy farm surrounded by 25,000 apple trees and 5,000 hogs. His family raised chickens and sold the eggs to the local grocery store and markets in the area. After living on the farm […]
November 1, 2015
Jacob Collins On an average morning Jacob Collins writes a paper, works on a biology lesson and emails family and friends. His afternoons are just as busy as he juggles classes and a volunteer internship at HVAF. Ask him why he does it and he’ll […]
November 1, 2015
Each veteran who walks through the doors of the Residential, Employment, Substance Abuse Treatment program known as REST opens up to share a part of his past with Social Worker Curtis Williamson. Whether they have experienced bouts of joblessness, untreated illnesses, or addiction, they all have experienced chronic homelessness. Curtis Williamson (left) with HVAF clients With the support of Curtis […]
September 18, 2015
HVAF along with the Residential, Employment, Substance Abuse, Treatment (REST) program held its 11th Annual Recovery Day on Sept. 19. Each September, in support of National Recovery Month, HVAF holds an event to reflect on the recovery efforts of individuals, families and communities affected by […]
September 18, 2015
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 […]
September 18, 2015
If you’ve walked through People’s Park in Bloomington in the past ten years, you might have noticed Stan Staples. Or not. The weary veteran may have seemed invisible in the rush of commuters grabbing coffee from the coffee shop across the street each morning, or passers-by picking out clothing from a nearby boutique. Stan had no home. Using […]
September 18, 2015
An event aimed to help homeless veterans stand up helped 489 veterans. At AMVETS Post 99, 231 volunteers rushed to unfold extra chairs for the 11th annual Stand Down event held Sept. 10. Post 99 was lined with tables, each serving as a station to offer free goods, […]
September 18, 2015
An event aimed to help homeless veterans stand up helped 489 veterans. At AMVETS Post 99, 231 volunteers rushed to unfold extra chairs for the 11th annual Stand Down event held Sept. 10. Post 99 was lined with tables, each serving as a station to offer free goods, […]
August 31, 2015
Jack Wickes raised $3,700 for HVAF through his fundraising efforts while participating in RAGBRAI – the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride. On July 19, he completed 7 days of cycling more than 462 miles across the state of Iowa. He started training in […]
August 31, 2015
Jack Wickes raised $3,700 for HVAF through his fundraising efforts while participating in RAGBRAI – the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride. On July 19, he completed 7 days of cycling more than 462 miles across the state of Iowa. He started training in […]
August 31, 2015
Boxes filled with canned meat, vegetables, pasta, hygiene items and clothing were a welcomed sight. In August, Phyllis Cooper, Service for Veterans Liaison for went into action when she heard that HVAF’s food pantry was desperately low in August. Phyllis was introduced to HVAF four […]
August 31, 2015
Boxes filled with canned meat, vegetables, pasta, hygiene items and clothing were a welcomed sight. In August, Phyllis Cooper, Service for Veterans Liaison for went into action when she heard that HVAF’s food pantry was desperately low in August. Phyllis was introduced to HVAF four […]
August 31, 2015
Jerrika Pence of HVAF with client Jerrika Pence, 26, says her passion for helping people began at an early age. As a child she would tutor younger kids in school. Her love of helping others continued to flourish and it was only natural for her […]
August 31, 2015
Join us this Veterans Day, 11/11, at Hotel Tango for Operation Alpha 2015 A Benefit for HVAF. Your ticket purchase of $35 includes one specialty drink, a light meal, music and good conversation with friends while supporting HVAF’s work in returning homeless veterans to self-sufficiency. Order tickets […]
August 31, 2015
Join us this Veterans Day, 11/11, at Hotel Tango for Operation Alpha 2015 A Benefit for HVAF. Your ticket purchase of $35 includes one specialty drink, a light meal, music and good conversation with friends while supporting HVAF’s work in returning homeless veterans to self-sufficiency. Order tickets […]