Passion for Supporting Indiana’s Veterans Leads to Service Project

We're thrilled about the piece on HVAF that appeared in Construction Executive Magazine. Last October, sixteen companies with Associated Builders & Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky, as well as members of the chapter staff and its Emerging Leaders program, volunteered to do electrical work, fix the roof and siding, paint and do yard work. Read the story here.

A meal makes a difference

For a third year, the Ernie Pyle VFW Post 1120 in Indianapolis served a big Thanksgiving meal for veterans at HVAF.

“We are honored to continue this tradition during the holidays,” says Cloyce Cornett, Post Commander.

"It makes me feel glad to see the VFW has embraced us and appreciates our service," says Kenny P., an HVAF veteran. He has been out of work and struggling with homelessness for 4 years.

Today he is working on attaining his educational goals while being housed at HVAF.

"I think this is awesome, that they hosted this luncheon for us," says Curtis Williamson, a social worker with the HVAF REST program.

"It's inspiring to feel like we have the support of the community,” Curtis says. “Whether they are forgotten or not, our HVAF vets often do feel forgotten, and it’s small gestures like these that I hope make some kind of impact if not just for the day, maybe for a year, or a lifetime.”

 “This is our way of saying thanks to all the veterans who served our country,” adds Cloyce.

A homeless vet dishes up warm meals

Reggie O., 57, entered the Marines with a passion for cooking and a long resume working at restaurants. When he finished his military service in 1975, Reggie came home, married in Nashville, Tennessee, had one child, bought a house and, and as he says, started to live happily ever after.

But after divorce, his battle to keep work in the construction industry lasted for two decades. Eventually, Reggie became homeless and joined the ranks of thousands of homeless veterans around the country. With no money coming in, Reggie didn’t know where his next meal would come from.

He came to HVAF in 2012 where he joined other veterans in transition.

"We all have so much in common and so much fellowship just having served," he said. "Now I'm turning around and serving other veterans by serving them meals at Warman Apartments where I live. It's an awfully good feeling."

Why vets struggle

Although homelessness is a concern for the general population, veterans face unique struggles, says Charles Haenlein, a Vietnam veteran and President & CEO of HVAF.

"These men and women went away to combat and came home a different person," says Haenlein. “It’s a hard process for a lot of people."

Abby Hardin, Reggie’s Case Manager, knows the struggles veterans face.

“The stigma of homelessness can also create a cycle that is difficult to break,” says Abby. "There are a lot of intelligent, well-mannered people that have just become displaced. Most anyone could be one paycheck away from being homeless."

Nearly a year after becoming homeless, Reggie says he’s ready to start a new life with a positive attitude and hopes to spend more time in the kitchen dishing up warm meals. He recently landed a job at IU Hospital working as a Cook.

“I love preparing and serving warm meals because it puts a smile on people’s faces,” says Reggie. “I’m getting a second chance to do a lot. If nothing else, the struggles of homelessness strengthened me."

Reggie also participates in Back on My Feet, an HVAF partner and national running program that promotes self-sufficiency through running.

Former soldier looks back on World War II experience as just another day in life

Woodrow Hairl

It's the duffle bag Sgt. First Class Woodrow Hairl used when he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He still uses it today.  

Ask the 87-year-old Greenville, Mississippi man about his war-time experiences and he’ll be happy to fill you in. He doesn’t think his story is compelling.

He served under General George S. Patton and traveled all over Europe from 1945-46 as a member of the US Army. 

“I was just a southern boy growing up in Greenville before the war. We raised cotton, corn, and peanuts."

Woodrow is remarkably modest. “This is what was asked of us. This is what we did and it made a man out of me.”

“I was in Germany and heading to Japan on the Queen Mary when the first atomic bomb was dropped by a U.S. aircraft on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. That's when I decided to get out of the military,” he adds.

After his service, he moved to Chicago where he lived for 20 years. That's where he met Dr. Martin Luther King ,Jr., and stood beside him sweeping streets before dusk in an effort to clean up urban neighborhoods. Woodrow held odd jobs during this time: airport bus driver and certified welder for the government.

Woodrow receives food items at HVAF

He struggled to keep a job which led to financial hardship. He came to HVAF in 2012 for help.

“If it wasn’t for HVAF, I don’t know where I’d get my next meal.”

Once a month for the past year, Woodrow has been relying on HVAF for food, toothbrushes, deodorant, clothes and other hygiene items that help get him through each month. Still, he struggles to understand his financial loan information.

Woodrow has made a lasting impression on HVAF staff members as well as outreach volunteer, Jim Thompson.

"I thought he’d be a good candidate for the Indy Honor Flight, whose mission is to transport American's veterans to Washington DC to visit the Memorials, but then I didn’t see him again for six months. I owe him because everything I have is because of people like him who served to protect our country,” says Jim, “I plan to be his sponsor on the trip.” 

“I’m very excited to have been selected for Indy Honor Flight and to see the monuments on April 5,” says Woodrow. I'd like to think I leave a little history and I hope I did some good in this world and I think I did," he said.

HVAF of Indiana, Inc. competes for $250,000 in Home Depot Foundation Contest

This month HVAF of Indiana, Inc. is participating in a national competition that could earn us $25-thousand dollars to renovate a Newton House, a facility that is home to four previously homeless veterans. Sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation’s Aprons in Action, winning the monthly contest hosted on Facebook would make HVAF eligible to win a one-time grand prize award – an additional $250-thousand dollars to renovate even more of its properties!

The Home Depot Foundation’s Aprons in Action on Facebook spotlights the volunteer efforts of Home Depot employees and the local community organizations they partner with to serve U.S. military veterans and programs that support them. Fans of the work cast their votes for their favorite charity work each month.

“The Newton House is in need of updating and with the winning prize HVAF would be able to renovate the property that serves as many as four veterans, says Ron Shelly, HVAF Chief Operating Officer.  “That’s four people who bravely served our county who would have a new and up-to-date place to call home because of supporters like you.”

HVAF has been fortunate over the past four years to partner with Indianapolis-area Home Depot stores where employees have volunteered their time and talents to renovate several HVAF properties, including the LaFever House. Home Depot also awarded a grant to HVAF last year to install blinds, closet dividers and other fixtures at its newest housing property, the Manchester Apartments, which is home to 51 previously homeless veterans.

The chance to vote for HVAF of Indiana, Inc. begins 9 a.m. EST on Saturday, September 1 and ends at 12 p.m. EST on Sunday, September 30, 2012. You can vote once a day every day on Home Depot Foundation’s Facebook page.

“We are glad that our partner nonprofit organization, HVAF, will be participating in our company’s Aprons in Action program,” says Home Depot District Manager Bob Blake. “Only four organizations across the country have been selected to compete in the September, 2012, Facebook contest, and it gives us an opportunity to continue to showcase the good work that HVAF of Indiana, Inc. does on a daily basis in improving lives of veterans in Central Indiana.”

Here’s how it works:

Voting begins 9:00 a.m. Saturday, September 1 and ends at 12 p.m. Sunday, September 30 EST. Each person can vote once a day every day. You must have a Facebook account to vote. Go to Home Depot Foundation’s Facebook page.

1. “Like” the page facebook.com/homedepotfoundation
2. Click on “Aprons in Action” - top right icon next to the number of likes
3. Place your vote for HVAF of Indiana, Inc.

HVAF of Indiana, Inc. featured in United Way of Central Indiana simulcast

Ralph and his daughter Lakin with RTV6's camera crew

Ralph, a U.S. Air Force veteran who overcame substance abuse and homelessness and then regained custody of his young daughter, is an HVAF success story that will be featured at 7:30 p.m. on September 4 on RTV6 as part of United Way of Central Indiana's annual simulcast.

Ralph lists at least four United Way agencies that helped him: HVAF of Indiana, Inc. for basic needs, recovery, counseling and support; Goodwill Industries, for job training; Second Helpings, for meals while in recovery; and Child Advocates, for help regaining custody of his daughter. He admits there may be others in the background that he's simply not aware were at bat for him.

Ralph's story drives home the reality that people's troubles are more often complex than they are simple. And that means they can rarely be solved by one agency or one program. It's one of the reasons giving to United Way has such a deep and wide impact.

Of the 400 veterans who have come through HVAF's Residential Employment Substance Abuse Treatment program, 60 percent have either secured permanent housing or a job.

To see Ralph tell his own story, tune in to RTV6 at 7:30 p.m. on September 4. On that day in that half hour, all our local stations will air short stories about how anyone who gives to United Way is helping Ralph and thousands more turn their lives around.

Zach Day hikes Appalachian Trial to benefit homeless veterans

 

Zach Day, 26, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, began an adventure of a lifetime -- and it's all for a good cause. He will spend the next five months hiking 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail on behalf of the Hoosier Veterans Foundation (HVAF).

Starting at Mount Katahdin in Maine, Day will hike through 14 states, ending his journey in October at Springer Mountain in Georgia.

You can track Zach's location through his GPS tracking devise. 

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=AHjt9/37.05777N/81.39937W

Indy Star reporter T.J. Barnes interviewed Zach just before he left. View the June 14, 2012 story at this link below:
http://www.indystar.com/article/20120614/LOCAL1804/206140321/Hiker-will-live-wild-benefit-vets-who-live-street

This photo below was taken late October along the higher elevations of Skyline Drive outside Charlottesville, Virginia.

HVAF of Indiana, Inc. Volunteer Spotlight

A longtime supporter of veterans' causes, Becky O'Conner dedicates much of her personal time to giving back.

"My father was a veteran and I have a lot of respect for his service to our country," says Becky.

Becky has been a member of Auxiliary Post 497 for 13 years. When she was elected auxiliary president her passion was in helping veterans. She searched for local organizations that did just that and found HVAF of Indiana, Inc. Then, Becky put a plan in place, with support of her members, and met with an HVAF staffer to see how they can contribute.

"We decided that we would adopt 2 veterans and their families for Christmas," says Becky. "We provided food and gifts for the veterans, both single father's, who could not afford a Christmas on their own. We also teamed up with Peggy Mcelfresh of St. Ann's Church. They provided clothing and toys for these families."

Becky and her group have adopted HVAF veteran families two years in a row and plan to do it again next year. She also helped spread awareness about HVAF by speaking in front of a number of organizations.

"It’s just a humbling experience," says Becky. "It just makes me feel good to know that HVAF is here to help veterans. It warms my heart because I have seen some of the hardships veterans can face after service."

Becky's interests in helping veterans continue to grow as she volunteers weekly. On Tuesday's and Thursday’s, Becky volunteers in HVAF's Outreach Center sorting and stocking donations that come in.

"We wouldn't have the freedoms that we have now if it wasn't for veterans," says Becky. "That's why I do what I do."

Whether it is adopting veteran families or volunteering in the Outreach Center, Becky's contributions have made a lasting impact on the community. For more information on volunteer opportunties visit hvaf.org.

Eli Lilly and Company volunteers turn courtyard into a relaxing setting

Albert Camus, a French novelist once said "Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present," and that is proving to be true as volunteers lend their time and talent to help homeless veterans in Indiananapolis, Ind.

On Wednesday, October 6, 2011, an army of 70 red-shirted volunteers with Eli Lilly and Company rolled up their sleeves at HVAF of Indiana, Inc. to help paint a mural in the courtyard of HVAF's newest property. In mid-October the newly rehabbed Manchester Apartments will be home to 51 previously homeless veterans. Volunteers also spent the day organizing HVAF's warehouse where donations are housed.

Today's effort is part of the forth annual Lilly Global Day of Service, when 24-thousand employees of Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company volunteer in community service day projects in 39 countries around the world. Event organizations estimate the value of the 35-thousand hours of volunteer labor plus the materials and supplies at nearly $2-million for the day for Indianapolis.

"This is our way of giving back. I'm looking forward to showing my daughter the photos and explaining what we did and how important community service really is," says Josphane Broadmax, associate consultant for supply chain at Eli Lilly and Company. Right now I'm painting a tree on the mural. We are looking forward to seeing the finished product."

Randen Miller, a former U.S. army veteran, worked to rehab the Manchester Apartments as the project manager for Halstead Architects and with over forty years of construction management experience, was recently brought on board to serve as HVAF's Maintenance Facility Director.

"It's been very heartwarming for me knowing that this will be home to 51 veterans and seeing all the volunteers help out has been amazing," says Miller. I have a heart for veterans; my father was a veteran and so was I."

"The partnership with HVAF and Halstead Architects has been a positive one and the project which started in February 2011, will be completed on schedule, thanks in part, to volunteers from Eli Lilly and Company," adds Miller.

As the day of volunteering comes to an end, the mural is complete. It features trees, flowers and deer, and will now be a relaxing setting for 51 men and women who served our country.