Veterans at HVAF find strength in running

Matt T. was 23 years old when he entered the U.S. Army for the opportunity it provided him to attend college. After leaving the military, Matt worked as Deputy Assessor at the Washington Township Assessor’s Office in Indianapolis. It was after accepting a job transfer to Evansville, Indiana, which took him far from family and friends, that depression began to consume Matt.

Matt with his medal

“I felt like a lonely man on an island,” he says. 

Alcohol addiction led to job loss. During his last week of employment, Matt’s boss told him about HVAF of Indiana, its substance abuse recovery program and housing services. Two weeks after moving into HVAF, Tucker was introduced to Back on My Feet, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping the homeless and other underserved populations build independence and self-sufficiency using the discipline of distance running.

“I began just walking with the group and then I started doing the walking/jogging and participated in the Bulldog Butler 5K,” says Matt, who most recently ran in the 8K race offered as a part of the Carmel Marathon in April.

“This is the first time in 50 years that I don’t need someone to give me a pat on my back or give me approval,” says Matt. “I know understand my self worth, and that really is a positive impact on my self-esteem,” says Matt.

While running with Back on My Feet, Matt met another HVAF client, Ray P., a 27-year-old Marine Corps veteran.

Ray running the Carmel Marathon

Ray’s childhood dream was to join the Marines. After serving for 5 years, Ray landed a job as a civil engineer but was spending long hours in the office. He says his marriage suffered as a result, and he also started drinking heavily. Through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs he was referred to HVAF of Indiana for help with housing.

At HVAF, Ray worked not only to improve his mental strength but physical toughness. Ray joined the Back on My Feet running group at HVAF, initially running 5K and 8K races. It was at this year’s Carmel Marathon that he would run his first marathon, a race of 26.2 miles.

Both Ray and Tucker trained together for their Carmel Marathon events, pushing each other to succeed.

“It felt great crossing the finish line, and it was an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment for both of us,” Ray says. 

Stand Down helps veterans stand up

Ralph McClury receives items at Stand Down

Making his way through crowds of veterans lined up for free haircuts, legal assistance and employment advice, Ralph McClury, a former HVAF client, received services and goods he needed.

Ralph McClury, a 59-year-old Army veteran and former HVAF client,  has been attending the Stand Down for four years.

“I received a lot of items I needed like hygiene products and underwear,” says Ralph. I love the event and I’m not going to miss it.”

The 9th annual Stand Down was held on September 12 for homeless and near-homeless veterans at AMVETS Post 99.

Stand Down is a military term used when exhausted combat units come off the battlefield to rest and recover in a place of safety. Today, Stand Down also refers to a community-based program that provides homeless and near-homeless veterans with food, shelter, clothing, basic medical exams, and assistance or referrals for social services, such as housing, legal matters and job counseling.

The first Stand Down was organized in 1988 by a group of Vietnam veterans in San Diego, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

161 homeless veterans utilized services at Stand Down including 14 females.

The HVAF Stand Down included flu shots, housing referrals and legal assistance through community partnerships. Veterans received food, clothing, health screenings, haircuts, and learned about services provided by the following: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, DeVry University, Homeless ReEntry Helpers, Homeless Initiative Program, HVRP, Indiana Legal Services, IUPUI Indianapolis Vet Center, RLR VA  Medical Clinic, SafeLink Wireless, Social Security Administration, State of Indiana Division of Family Resources, Suicide Prevention, Veterans Antiquities, Voc. Rehab, Volunteers of America and Work One.