Indianapolis veteran overcomes physical and emotional challenges

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 dedicated 18 years of his life. But, working in machinery took a toll on him physically. He went to see doctors and specialists and who determined that the persistent lower back pain was only going to get worse if he kept doing that kind of work.

“It was really scary because for years I had grown used to needing my strength and relying on it to do my job. Now, I could no longer do any heavy lifting. I didn’t know what I was going to do," he said.

Lamont filed for disability in June 2014. He waited. Without a steady job he became homeless. Lamont stayed with family and friends and in December 2014, he came to HVAF for help with housing. At HVAF, he met a case manager who helped change the course of his life. A case manager’s role is connecting veterans with benefits, employment opportunities as well link them to other resources. Lamont was encouraged to follow-up on the disability benefits process. He was awarded disability benefits and is permanently housed.

Navy veteran’s financial struggles at home

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 back home to Indianapolis to be nearer to his four children.

“The transition home was kind of rough for me because l had a hard time finding work and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do,” says Gary who experienced intermittent homelessness for two years. “I eventually used the skills from my degree in college but even those jobs in architectural drafting were few and far between.” 

In 2014, Gary ran out of money and began sleeping in his car. He was referred to HVAF by the VA. In June 2015, he met with Fred Young, HVAF’s Residential, Employment and Substance Abuse (REST) Coordinator, to begin his journey of sobriety. HVAF not only provided him with a warm bed, food, clothing and hygiene items, but more than he could imagine.

Gary was housed first. Then, his next hurdle was to get his finances in order. Years of child support had put a financial burden on his life and prevented him from gaining the sense of security and stability he needed to move forward.

Carlton Martin, Staff Attorney with the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, an HVAF partner agency, is in the beginning stages of working with Gary to sort through his financial responsibilities which is something Gary says he couldn’t do alone.

“I was able to organize all of my old debts and file ten years of back taxes to avoid legal trouble,” adds Gary. “When I was homeless I had rejected my financial responsibilities while I was out on the streets.”

He is now empowered with the legal guidance he has received and is thankful to be working full-time at the VA Hospital.

“I finally feel that I am accountable for things and I have more control over my life.”

Gary talks about his struggles in his own words:
https://animoto.com/play/htAWVqXIAALa9jLDYYMplg

Homeless veteran serves as mentor

After serving in the Navy stateside for four years, starting a family and having a lengthy career in medicine, Jim. W., 56, found himself homeless and struggling with drugs and substance abuse.

“My wife had gotten sick and we went through some rocky times together,” Jim said. “Once our marriage ended, I just didn’t care much or try hard to find work.”

Jim’s divorce and drug use pushed him further into depression. He lost his job and apartment. He slept wherever he could. During the winter of 2012, Jim set up camp under a bridge and in abandoned trailers. He was homeless for two years.

“I was losing myself and I didn’t have a care in the world,” he said.

Jim stayed with friends and roamed Indianapolis until he heard about HVAF’s housing program in 2014. He met with a case manager and moved into transitional housing.

“It just changed my whole life,” Jim said. “I’m indebted to the organization that gave me a second chance. They have given me a safe, clean environment meant to focus on getting and staying clean
I have been clean for over two years now.”

Jim serves as a mentor for other veterans in his house.

“Jim has been an outstanding client in HVAF’s transitional housing program,” says Claire Halluska, MSW, LSW Warman Site Social Worker. “He has maintained sobriety and recovery for the past two years. He actively volunteers his time with HVAF by serving as the House Manager. Not only does he help his fellow veterans in his house but he also helps other homeless throughout Indianapolis,” adds Claire.

Jim doesn’t take his responsibility as House Manager lightly. He enforces rules and makes sure the nine veterans he shares space with stays on top of cleaning and chores.

“It has given me some self-respect again, it has given me structure and an overall feeling of self-worth,” says Jim.