Reggie Jefferson, 58, a homeless U.S. Army veteran, was once a professional singer. He relocated to South Beach, Florida in 1994 after his wife passed away. Reggie says he ended up homeless, sleeping on the beach, listening to ocean waves crash before him. His life was spiraling downward and he returned back home to Indianapolis for help with alcoholism.
Mark Lykins, a case manager with HVAF's Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, realized that transportation served as a major barrier for verans. He began a bike program for our homeless veterans at HVAF which is how the two men met.
Since the bike program began
in June of 2016, Mark has collected 37 bikes. Monetary donations have allowed
him to purchase locks for the bikes, as well as tools to refurbish them
to help homeless veterans without transportation.
Thirty-three bikes have
already been given to homeless veterans, including Reggie, while others have
been used for parts when deemed beyond salvage.
Reggie said
not having a car during his week of living homeless really gave him a better
understanding of how difficult it is for the homeless to apply for employment,
go to the grocery store and medical appointments as well as look for housing.
“Bikes make it
easier,” Reggie said.
“Transportation
is a big issue in Indianapolis,” Mark said. “And employment is essential for
Reggie. He’s not housed in the middle of town and so his bike has cut his
commute from a one hour and 20 minute walk to a 20 minute bike ride.”
Mark said the
criteria for a homeless veteran to receive a bike is that they need to be able
to prove veteran status and have housing issues.
“Then when
they don’t need it (bike) anymore, they can give it back,” said Mark, who in
turn can give the bike to another homeless veteran without transportation.
Mark said it
can take anywhere from days to months for a homeless veteran to get a job
depending on an individual’s circumstances. He’s thankful for generous donors
and hopes to receive more bikes. To donate a bike to HVAF, contact Volunteer
Coordinator Robin Close at (317) 951-0688.
HVAF also accepts
monetary donations. Donate online at
hvaf.org.
