Support HVAF and its homeless veterans by participating in the Freedom Ride on Saturday, August 23. The police-escorted ride begins at the American Legion Post 64. Riders will travel south to Kentucky Avenue and head north near the Indianapolis International Airport and continue north. Riders will pass the Indy 500 track and move through Eagle Creek Park before heading back to Post 64. Once the riders return to the post a catered lunch will be enjoyed with vendors and entertainment.
Monday
Enterprise Indiana volunteers at HVAF to help homeless veterans
Enterprise
Indiana sent out a crew of 17 interns and 3 staff members to volunteer inside HVAF’s
warehouse on June 11. The team jumped in to
help move pallets and re-organize the warehouse to ensure the supplies fit.
|
 |
| Volunteers with Enterprise Indiana volunteer at HVAF of Indiana |
Enterprise has a long-standing tradition of helping local
communities, partnering with United Way agencies like HVAF and other charitable
organizations. The
company chose to support HVAF because of its long military heritage. (The
company was founded in 1957 by World War II Veteran Jack Taylor based on
lessons he learned while serving in the Navy).
“We
actually had not heard about HVAF prior to our service day there,” says Heather
Kahl, PHR, talent acquisition manager. “When reaching out to the United Way to
schedule our volunteer day, we asked them for more than one option for
volunteering so we could choose what would be most meaningful to us, and it was
a no brainer when we knew we would be assisting veterans.”
HVAF Board Member raises awareness of HVAF
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| HVAF Board Member Louise Loyd (left) with Randen Miller of HVAF and Rita Sullivan (right) |
Rita worked with Belterra Casino and
Resort in Florence, Indiana to secure the 2-thousand dollars in hygiene items.
“All of these items will be put to good use by families in our
community,” said Debra Des Vignes, VP of Marketing for HVAF. “We are grateful
to all of the people at Belterra Casino and Resort for
their time, effort and donations.”
Three weeks after the hygiene items
delivery, Louise presented HVAF with a check for $1,000 from Bethel
United Methodist Church at HVAF’s Annual Meeting. The church held its 3rd annual
community service program recently and Louise’s friends, John and Dee Decaris, selected HVAF as the program recipient again this year.
Fundraiser to benefit homeless veterans
Judy Holmes, with Carmel American
Legion Post 155, never misses an opportunity to support HVAF.
At the beginning of each year Judy along with her team calls us and coordinates a Summer Car Wash fundraiser to benefit HVAF’s
recovery program. Along with this 4th annual car wash fundraiser held on June
28, she also held a cook-out for the veterans that same day.
“Our Auxiliary and Post feel it is
the least we can do to help the men and women who have given so much from their
lives to protect our country and freedom,” says Judy. “I couldn't do it without the team at the Auxiliary...and it makes our hearts fill
with pride and joy to be able to help in our small way.”
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| 2013 Car Wash Fundraiser to benefit HVAF |
Last year, the Post purchased air
purifiers and fire extinguishers for HVAF properties and bus passes for our
veterans. All of these donated items allow HVAF to use its existing resources
in other crucial areas.
Judy’s Auxiliary was formed out of a
committee four years ago with the sole purpose of helping HVAF. Judy works
alongside 7 women who are equally passionate.
Judy’s husband is a Vietnam veteran and her father served in WWII. Her thought on volunteering with veterans is
that the act should never be done for praise, recognition or any type of
reward.
“The reward of gratitude,
appreciation and love that you get when volunteering or giving back is enormous,”
says Judy. “I can say that I and my fellow committee members have been
teary-eyed on a number of occasions when we’ve connected with the veterans at
HVAF. These veterans always have a smile for us.”
Car Wash information:
852 W. Main Street, Carmel 46032
Saturday, June 28 from 10-2 p.m.
Car Wash information:
852 W. Main Street, Carmel 46032
Saturday, June 28 from 10-2 p.m.
Homeless veteran in Indianapolis fights cancer
For
Jeff, and hundreds like him, a roof over his head is the first step toward a
better life.
The Bay City, MI native joined the
Army in 1983 and served for 5 years. He later drifted through a slew of managerial jobs in Indianapolis and Michigan before things began to
unravel.
 |
| Jeff at HVAF of Indiana |
At
a 2012 doctor’s appointment, medical staff told Jeff he had follicular lymphoma
cancer. Mounting medical costs led to
homelessness, and Jeff, living day to day, struggled to maintain a home and transportation
to and from medical appointments.
"I'm just trying to get some
stability," he says.
Jeff
receives housing through HVAF, calling Manchester Apartments home. He also
receives individual support from case manager Jennifer Smith, who has utilized
the wide-range of assistance offered by HVAF to provide Jeff with food,
clothing and hygiene items.
“My
case manager has helped me tremendously,” says Jeff. “I’m very upfront and
honest with her, and I have laughed with her and cried with her.”
When Jeff moves into his own apartment in July, HVAF will provide assistance
by covering his administrative move-in fee. He’s also receiving legal support
through HVAF's partnership with the Neighborhood
Christian Legal Clinic to help him sort through legal issues such as child support and speeding tickets. He has already set up monthly payments in order to get his license back. In turn, HVAF's Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program can then assist with car repairs.
Jeff has qualified for additional help through SSVF to secure permanent housing. Jeff also receives a HUDVASH voucher which is part of an affordable housing
program in which the client pays roughly 20% of his/her income to be able
to maintain permanent housing.
SSVF also has provided Jeff with a utility deposit, security deposit, and a bus pass. Jeff will remain in SSVF for a short period of time to ensure that client transition into permanent housing is successful.
SSVF also has provided Jeff with a utility deposit, security deposit, and a bus pass. Jeff will remain in SSVF for a short period of time to ensure that client transition into permanent housing is successful.
Disabled American Veterans Indiana Service Foundation donates funds to HVAF to support veterans
A
$15,000 donation from the Disabled American Veterans Indiana Service Foundation
will help HVAF continue to operate three properties for homeless veterans that
do not receive annual grant support through other sources.
“After
talking to HVAF President/CEO Dr. Charles Haenlein, we felt our resources could
go a long way in changing the lives of veterans at these three HVAF
facilities,” says Mike Whelihan of the DAVISF. “The $5,000 we pledged to each
of the three properties will cover costs related to utilities, general
maintenance and landscaping, and we are proud to help provide quality shelter
for these homeless heroes.”
HVAF
houses more than 200 veterans across Central Indiana and each property is
unique. We thank Mike and the rest of his peers at the DAVISF for helping support
our comprehensive services to return veterans to self-sufficiency.
 |
| Mike Whelihan with DAVISF with Dr. Charles Haenlein |
HVAF Board Member is recognized for outstanding service to veterans
 |
| HVAF Board Member Bill Moreau receives certificate of recognition |
Congratulations to HVAF Board Member Bill Moreau, who was
recognized by the City of Indianapolis at a private reception hosted on June
17. Moreau was honored for his outstanding and continuous efforts to end homelessness,
which includes 20 consecutive years of service to HVAF.
HVAF Employee spotlight
This
month we spotlight Tom Tuttle. He’s a Case Manager for HVAF’s Supportive
Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. He goes above and beyond to
support veterans who are near homeless. On his own initiative, he has been
canvassing the streets and shelters for homeless veterans who fit into a
specific category in SSVF. And not only has he been able to spend the grant funding efficiently he has moved veterans out of homelessness.
 |
| Tom Tuttle at HVAF |
Here’s
more about Tom.
What attracted
you to the position at HVAF?
Working
with veterans and the issues they face is what attracted me to this position. I
have a lot of veterans in my family and have seen some of the many problems
veterans face.
What do you
enjoy most?
The
part of working at HVAF I enjoy most is working with the clients and trying to
help resolve the many differing situations the clients come from. Before
working at HVAF I worked at IU in research to improve nursing home care.
How
has SSVF grown since you started?
SSVF
has grown in a variety of ways since starting at HVAF. We are serving more
clients than in previous grant years. We have changed the ways we approach
finding clients and assistance that we provide. We have created more tools to
track and record program status.
What
are your hobbies?
My
hobbies include playing guitar and working/ riding old beach cruiser bicycles.
Save the Date for the annual Motorcycle Ride
Support
HVAF and its homeless veterans by participating in the Freedom Ride on
Saturday, August 23. The police-escorted ride begins at the American Legion
Post 64. Riders will travel south to Kentucky Avenue and head north near the
Indianapolis International Airport and continue north. Riders will pass the
Indy 500 track and move through Eagle Creek Park before heading back to Post 64.
Once the riders return to the post a catered lunch will be enjoyed with vendors
and entertainment.
Employee spotlight
Rex Miller is one of our
Transportation Specialists, and he’s been doing his job to the fullest for
almost 2 years. Rex began at HVAF while we were in the midst of growth. He
enjoys the freedom of the road and is helping make a difference for the
veterans we serve.
Where are you from?
“I grew up on the southeast side of Indianapolis
near the Marion County Fairgrounds. My entire family of 7 siblings and I would
go to the fairgrounds often. My grandparents grew up on what was a
stereotypical Midwest farm and raised cattle and grew wheat and corn.”
 |
| Rex Miller, Transportation Specialist at HVAF |
“When I left my job as a truck driver for 30
years I was looking for work. I applied to over 5 places in the Indianapolis
area, including HVAF. HVAF always stood out, because I respected what they did
in helping veterans. I think HVAF is doing something good in the world.
What’s your favorite
thing about working here?
My job doesn’t just have me on the road. I go into food
pantries, grocery stores and big-box chain stores. I like the variety and not
knowing what the next day holds. Plus, I get to meet veterans from all walks of
life who simply need a helping hand.
Dow AgroSciences on giving back to veterans
On May 10, volunteers with Dow AgroSciences’ Veterans Action
Group created an herb garden at HVAF’s
Manchester property. The group, made up of current and former service
members, also trimmed hedges at HVAF’s
headquarters and placed large planters outside the front door filled with
colorful flowers.
Dow
AgroSciences is an agricultural company
that supports community initiatives as well as sustainable agriculture and STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education.
 |
| Dow AgroSciences with veterans at HVAF |
The group’s volunteer work allowed maintenance staff at HVAF
to use their resources in other areas.
“We are fortunate for their efforts,” says HVAF’s Director of
Maintenance Randen Miller. “Their work left a lasting impression while giving
new life to our building and adding a spring touch to our properties.”
A vision for something better
Baptist
Academy sent 15 seventh grade students to HVAF on May 12
to sort and stock donations for distribution to veterans in need. Students say
they did not know much about HVAF before volunteering but the project gave
them a greater awareness of homelessness among the veteran population in
Indianapolis.
 |
| (Zeke Brown and Zach Ownsy (Left to right) |
“I feel like they have given a lot to us and this is the
least we can do,” says Zach, whose grandfather served in the U.S. Army.
Harold Thomas, an academy teacher and the field-trip sponsor,
says that HVAF is one of several nonprofits the group of students would visit
during its day of service.
“It is nice seeing the kids work together as they develop a
heart of compassion for helping others,” says Harold.
Veterans join neighbors for community day
HVAF’s recovery program veterans participated in the 34th annual
St. Joseph Historical Neighborhood Cleanup on May 3. The group of 10
veterans bagged leaves and picked up debris with their neighbors.
“The veterans provide so much more
than a helping hand,” says President of the St. Joseph Neighborhood
Association Garry Chilluffo.
“We enjoy hearing their life
experiences, getting them to open up a bit, and sharing in their visions and
goals in life.”
 |
| St. Joseph Neighborhood Association Cleanup |
“Despite having faced challenges of
homelessness, it is heartening to see that they carry a sense of humor through
it all,” adds Garry. “I think that speaks volumes to the work of HVAF and the
impact on their recovery process."
HVAF in the news
In the news: HVAF receives national news coverage
Military Times recently featured HVAF Case Managers Rachel
Brown and Gretchen Hiller and their work with homeless veterans in Shelbyville.
Click
over to the article to read about how HVAF is helping veterans do more with
less.
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