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| Anthony S., HVAF veteran |
For more than a decade, Anthony S., a U.S. Army veteran, has
been haunted by it. Each time the homeless veteran seeks an opportunity to turn his
life around; there it is in black and white print – convicted felon.
Anthony and some 123 homeless veterans currently being served by
Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) have criminal records. Their
lives ruined after a single poor choice and despite their brave service to
their country.
“It started from the very moment I made that decision to steal,”
the 49-year-old, who served six months in prison for his crime, says. “I was
abusing alcohol, wasn’t thinking straight and that wrong decision has been a
barrier for me moving forward with my life.”
But now, HVAF, its partner the United
Way of Central Indiana and others are launching a new program on August 28 at the
Indiana War Memorial that could help veterans move beyond their criminal
convictions.
“We’re calling it Second Chances Series: Helping Hoosier Veterans, an Expungement Forum,” says Charles Haenlein, Ph.D., the President and CEO of HVAF. “We will help veterans and our HVAF case managers, who work to return our vets to self sufficiency, understand a new state law (Public Law 159), that went into effect July 1 that allows some crimes to be expunged from veterans’ records."
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| Keith C., HVAF veteran |
“It’s discouraging that each time I apply for a job and they
find out that I have a criminal record I never hear from them again,” says HVAF
veteran Keith C., a 47-year-old veteran of Operation Desert Storm. “The
opportunity for a clean record gives me hope for a job and maybe even a home of
my own.”
Employment and homeownership are the two most crucial, potentially
life-changing events impacted by a veteran’s criminal record. Housing
authorities will deny an otherwise eligible veteran a placement based on a
single prior drug conviction. Employers rarely consider applicants with a
felony record.
“The men and women we serve are good people seeking a better
life,” Haenlein says. “Many are in our intensive substance abuse treatment
program REST, working hard through classes and programs five days a week, and
we owe it to them to give them the best opportunity for a second chance at
personal success.”
“I understand that this isn't a get-out-of-jail-free card,"
Anthony says. “But, getting my crimes expunged would help me become a
productive member of society again.”
And, he’ll no longer be haunted by the actions of a man he no
longer recognizes.
“I’m working to earn a management level position in customer
service, possibly the food service industry, and to acquire my own home,”
Anthony says.
His fellow veteran, Keith, plans to go return to college to
complete a Bachelor’s Degree in paralegal services at IUPUI.
Editor’s note: The Neighborhood Christian Legal
Clinic and Indiana
State Representative Jud McMillin are serving
as Expungement Forum instructors, and our deeply appreciated partners in the
event. Co-sponsored by HVAF of Indiana, Inc, United Way of Central Indiana and PACE.
