HVAF BLOG

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

 
January 2, 2015

Self-portraits of veterans at HVAF

They say a picture is worth a thousand words…or so the saying goes. But, a self-portrait left many homeless veterans speechless. For some, it was a first time posing for a professional photograph. More than a decade had passed since Whitney, 59, and his family […]
December 30, 2014

Law firm gives back to veterans at Christmas

Barnes & Thornburg has regularly adopted a family in need at Christmastime. This year, the law firm’s attorneys and employees decided that, in addition to adopting a family, they wanted to provide a happier Christmas for others in Indianapolis. Their thoughts went immediately to the […]
December 30, 2014

Staffing company gives back to veterans at HVAF

Toys, TV’s and a truck load of gift bags filled with hygiene items were delivered and distributed  to HVAF for three veteran families this year. It was all part of PME Enterprises’ annual Christmas giving program. Ralph M. was a recipient of the gifts. He […]
December 30, 2014

Formerly homeless veteran’s cooking inspiration

Those years of service as a US Navy cook are still at the top of Pamela’s mind, and decades later the 56-year-old is back at it cooking meals for family and friends. In her spare time she enjoys dishing up fried chicken and fried potatoes […]
November 25, 2014

A Homeless Female Veteran’s Journey to Take Back Her Life

Leah T. thinks about her struggles — the two years she was alone and homeless — and the long suffering in silence from the verbal abuses she endured in the US Army. It’s a trigger – the memory of the abuse, she explained – that […]
November 25, 2014

Jesse’s Story

Jesse at HVAF Jesse’s approach to life is simple; keep moving. The 52-year-old Air Force veteran says he started drinking heavily after his marriage ended and without a job or income he became homeless but his spirits remained high. “Where there seems to be no […]
November 12, 2014

HVAF participates in annual Veterans Day Parade

HVAF board members, staff and clients participated in the annual Veterans Day Parade in Indianapolis to honor Hoosier veterans. Active and retired members of the armed forces were thanked for their service as they walked through the streets of Indianapolis. View our Veterans Day slideshow.
November 11, 2014

Veteran recounts four years of recovery

Ralph at HVAF Ralph with recovery coins Ralph had $1.35 in his bank account. Then, things took a turn for the worse. On October 15, he shared his experiences in front of a room of homeless veterans at HVAF. Two years ago Ralph was a […]
November 11, 2014

Veteran recounts four years of recovery

Ralph at HVAF Ralph with recovery coins Ralph had $1.35 in his bank account. Then, things took a turn for the worse. On October 15, he shared his experiences in front of a room of homeless veterans at HVAF. Two years ago Ralph was a […]
November 10, 2014

Former HVAF leader inducted into Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame

Colonel Donald W. Moreau Sr. (USA-ret.), HVAF former President/CEO and board member,  was among sixteen veterans to be honored in the inaugural class of the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame (IMVHOF) on November 7, 2014. His distinguished military career and civil services spans almost seven […]
November 3, 2014

Three veterans complete HVAF’s recovery program

  The room was filled with applause and even some tears, but they were tears of joy as three veterans recalled their past. On Friday, October 31, Joe N., Jesse W. and Matt T. received a certificate of completion from HVAF’s Residential Employment Substance Abuse Treatment (REST) […]
October 30, 2014

HVAF takes action on Indy Do Day

On Oct. 2, HVAF staffers fanned out into the historical St. Joseph neighborhood for a street cleanup as part of Indy Do Day. HVAF also hosted a United Way Day of Caring project on the same day. This was the first time HVAF served as […]
October 30, 2014

HVAF helps veteran through legal barriers

Woodrow never imagined he would one day be homeless but, Woodrow, 52, an Army veteran was struggling to afford housing because he says he was “saddled with child care payments”. While serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Woodrow suffered an eye-injury which resulted in his […]
October 30, 2014

Warm coats: A Welcome Gift for Homeless Veterans

Last year, Indianapolis witnessed record cold temperatures. Many homeless veterans were shivering outside, not wearing warm clothing. EnviroForensics, full-service environmental engineering firm, had to do something.Employees organized the 3rd annual “Coat Drive for HVAF” and was supported by Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. Donors dropped […]