Home Depot donates time and money

On May 18, 25 Home Depot employees from the Castleton store donated time and manpower on their day off to freshen up the Keltner property. Supporting Home Depot’s Do More for Veterans initiative, the employees used their expertise to improve the livelihood of the three veterans currently residing in the Keltner House.

The Keltner House was donated to HVAF in December 2009. It is one of three HVAF properties that is not covered by outside grants, and because the house is funded only by general donations, extra funds are necessary to pay for repairs. Because the Keltner House needed some general maintenance, the Home Depot Foundation approved a grant for $3,700 to pay for the materials necessary for the updates and repairs.

During their time at the Keltner House, the Home Depot employees painted the interior of the house, installed blinds and cleaned up the landscaping on the property. They also renovated the bathroom.

“This place got a major facelift thanks to Home Depot and these volunteers,” Keltner resident and veteran Tim said.

Home Depot has been a faithful partner to HVAF through the years, and this day dedicated to improving the home of HVAF veterans serves as one example of the lasting impact the organization has had on homeless veterans.

“It’s part of our corporate value to give back to the community,” store manager Matt Rice said. “A lot of us have veterans in our families and have been touched by the sacrifice of veterans, and we think this is a great way to serve them.”

The Home Depot Foundation provides veterans a breath of fresh air

An Indianapolis veteran will be breathing a bit easier today thanks in part to the Home Depot Foundation.

Daniel M., 56, struggled with breathing problems as a child. At 18, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. But that didn’t stop him from joining the Navy in 1976. He relied on breathing exercises to get him through. However, once back home in Indianapolis he was met with persistent pain, shortness of breath and burning lungs. He was unemployed and depressed. In July 2014, Daniel became homeless and called the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) for help with housing.

Daniel is among 38 veterans living at the Moreau House, one of 13 transitional housing properties for homeless veterans operated HVAF. In October, the Moreau House was renovated as part of a $100,000 grant by The Home Depot Foundation.

The grant enabled HVAF to replace single pane windows that did not open easily with energy-efficient double vinyl windows as well as supplied new siding, gutters and down spouts. The project also allowed HVAF to replace the property’s 25-year-old roof.

This has benefited Daniel greatly. The fresh air helps Daniel and he can now open the windows with ease.

The Navy veteran took a deep breath as he fought back tears recalling what The Home Depot Foundation has done for veterans.

“It’s emotional,” he said. “All of us veterans at HVAF are like family and it helps a lot just knowing that organizations, like the Home Depot Foundation, are there to help. Home Depot jumped in and it has been amazing.”

Giving back to veterans is personal to The Home Depot, as more than 35,000 of the company’s associates have served in the military. Daniel says the renovations has improved his quality of life.

Success in numbers - HVAF employment services

Hiring veterans is good for business. Reports show that hiring veterans is good for companies. Veterans offer versatility. They are accustomed to policies and structure but can adapt to dynamic workplace situations and their leadership and teamwork abilities often outpace their civilian coworkers and they are loyal and committed to the organizations they work for, which can translate into longer tenure as well.

Here is a list of our workforce partners have hired veterans who rely on HVAF services and programs. (list compiled July 9, 2015)

1. Goodwill Industries

-Goodwill Industries has hired 7 of our veterans over the past few months.

-They have also partnered with us in helping our veterans with a criminal background get back into the workforce through their New Beginnings Program.

-The New Beginnings Program is a six month job and life skills program for unemployed ex-offenders (with the exception of violent & sexual offenders). The program provides supportive services to persons who have a criminal background and are unable to secure employment. Individuals that are accepted into the program will automatically receive a full-time job at the  Goodwill Commercial Services Warehouse with paid medical and dental insurance. Individuals are required to meet certain goals that further assist with stabilizing housing and full-time employment. They are also required to attend a Life Skills class one day per week.

2. Finish Line

- Finish Line hired 4 HVAF veterans this year for their Distribution center and their call center.

3. VA Hospital

-The VA Hospital hired 7 HVAF veterans through the VA’s Direct Hire Program this year.

- The Voc. Rehab team and the VA’s HR department works very closely with us to help our clients complete the Direct Hire Packet and help them get an interview for various positions within the Housekeeping Department.

4. Interactions Corporation

-Interactions Corporation hired 15 HVAF veterans over the past year.

-They attended our Veterans job fair May 7th.

-They work hard to actively hire our vets.

-Also had a Meet and Greet here at HVAF to actively recruit vets.

5. Randstad Staffing

- Randstad Staffing hired well over 16 veterans who rely on HVAF services and programs.

-The staffing company always willing to go out of their way to help our clients and work with them regarding their schedules so they can catch the bus to/from work.

-Randstad has attended both HVAF job fairs in July 2014 and our most recent job fair (in which they hired 7 more vets on the spot).

6. Fed Ex Smart Post

-Fed Ex has hired 11 of HVAF veterans over the past year.

-Fed Ex held an open hiring event at their facility to help recruit vets.

-They attended our veteran's job fair July 24th 2014 and May 7th 2015.

7. Walmart

-Walmart hired 6 HVAF veterans over the last year.

-They attended our vet's job fair last July.

-Walmart also donated money to HVAF at their Grand Opening for their West Michigan Road location.

- They have a strong vet hiring initiative.

8. Allied Barton Security

- Allied Barton Security attended both job fairs held at HVAF.

-They have hired roughly 9 veterans who rely on HVAF services and programs.

- Additionally, Allied Barton Security actively hire and recruit vets through their vet hiring initiative

9. G2 Secure Staff

- We have recently established a partnership with them and they are a great help with getting some of our vets employed.

-They attended our job fair last May

-They have hired 12 of our veterans.

10. UPS

- We have recently established a partnership with them and they are a great help with getting some of our vets employed.

-They attended our job fair in May and so far, they have hired some of our people but I'm not sure of an exact amount

- They also volunteered for HVAF and helped clean out the crawl space.

- They actively recruit and hire vets.

11. Home Depot

-They have hired 5 our vets.

-They are a big supporter of HVAF.

-They have attended both job fairs.

12. Lowe's

-They have hired 3 of our vets

-We have a strong relationship with their call center and also their retail stores.

-Veteran Representatives and Recruiters from the Lowe's Call center came in to HAVF in March and conducted an Employer Meet and greet. They hired 4 of our vets for their Brand New Call Center that is located on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

13. Volt Workforce Solutions

-Volt Workforce Solutions hired 6 of our veterans within the past 4 months and they placed our vets in positions over $10 per hour.

14. Prospect Airport Services

-Hired four veterans in the past 4 months. They offer flexibility to our vets to ensure that they can get o work.

-Prospect Airport Services are willing to work with people with Criminal Backgrounds

15. G4S Security

-G4S recently attended HVAF's job fair in July and they actively hired 4 people on the spot.

Volunteers renovate home for six veterans

On February 25, thirty Team Depot volunteers renovated HVAF's Lyter House, a transitional home for six veterans. Volunteers installed flooring, cabinets, countertops and appliances as well as painted several rooms. The new floor plan of the kitchen makes the space more usable.

 

HVAF houses more than 200 homeless veterans and the Lyter House is one of fifteen properties. The renovation work is part of a $10,500 grant from the Home Depot.

The floor plan of the kitchen is going to be changed to make it more usable. Today, HVAF houses more than 200 homeless veterans in 15 properties scattered throughout Indianapolis.

Chris M., 55, an Air Force veteran said he was thrilled when he found. "It's been such a long road from homelessness to housing, it's unbelievable," Chris said. I came down from Terre Haute and had to leave my family to find work and got stranded down here and that led to being homeless.”

Chris is feeling better than ever and is optimistic about his future and focusing on a job search now that he has a roof over his head.

The effort is part of Home Depot's commitment to veterans with a focus on fixing up the homes of veterans across the country.

Media from four local Television news outlets along with the Indianapolis Star covered the story.

Volunteers with Home Depot lend a helping hand at HVAF

Team Depot at HVAF

Clad in orange T-shirts 112 volunteers from Home Depot gave up a day off in July to honor veterans at HVAF of Indiana. The group completed a major renovation project and installed backsplashes in each kitchen at Manchester Apartments. The 51-room apartment building, which is one of two of HVAF co-ed properties, was in need of updating.

Not only did the Home Depot employees give up a day off from work to volunteer at HVAF of Indiana, the company also funded the project. This project was part of a 10-thousand dollar grant in which the Home Depot provided all the materials and labor.

“One of the ways that we live our core values at Home Depot is giving back to the community,” says Tony Davis, Specialty Assistant Store Manager (store #2014). “Being a veteran of the US Army gives me a sense of pride to represent those who have served our country."

“Home Depot has committed $80 million to address the problem of veteran homelessness, to be spent over the next three years,” says Home Depot District Manager Bob Blake. “We are happy to be at HVAF where work is needed to be done to improve the quality of life for these veterans.”

The Home Depot Foundation Offers Grant and Benefits Veteran

Korean War Veteran Cliff Craig has been married to his wife, Pat, for 60 years. He is legally blind and she is his full-time caregiver. After years of living in their home, their appliances were not working, the flooring was not stable and the home was in need of a fresh coat of paint. Work included a bathroom renovation, replacing a broken storm window, installing paneling in several rooms, installing a new outdoor wheelchair ramp, and installing a flagpole to proudly fly our nation’s colors.

On October 3, 65 volunteers from The Home Depot stores partnered with HVAF to transform and update the home of Veteran Cliff Craig, as well as its Warman facility. At Warman, every interior wall got re-painted as well as enclosure of the back porches of units #202 and #204. 

HVAF Board Member and District Manager of The Home Depot, Bob Blake, is grateful to give back. “Not only are we proud to have the opportunity to refurbish the homes and facilities where they live and receive services, but also to say ‘thank you’ for their many sacrifices.”

The Home Depot Foundation’s COO, Fred Wacker, was on hand for the announcement.

Charles Haenlein, President & CEO of HVAF said, “We are thrilled and want to express our gratitude to The Home Depot Foundation for providing us with this grant. Warman is in need of facility improvements and the funds, coupled with Team Depot’s manpower, will help tremendously.”

Before photo of kitchen

After photo of kitchen

Salute for Cliff Craig

Team Depot volunteers present HVAF with a plaque.

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.