Gift of hope: food for veterans during toughest times

Linda (left) Bob Konieczny (middle) and R.B. (far right)

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Ron Collins, known to many as R.B., spent 3 years in the service, and continues to support his fellow veterans today.

He served with the 1st Marine Division, and was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Twentynine Palms and Riverside, California.

R.B. is now retired and spends some of his time collecting food and monetary donations for HVAF veterans.

“I was able to get members of Beech Grove American Legion Post 276 behind this important cause of raising awareness and food for HVAF veterans,” says R.B.

So in 2003, he began by setting up a donation station at the post where he asked members to drop off nonperishable items.  Once the boxes got full, R.B. then brought them to HVAF to fill its pantry.

But it doesn’t stop there.

Twice a year R.B. and his friends Bob and Linda Konieczny, donate to HVAF roughly $2,000 worth of food through monetary donations from members of the post. R.B. then shops at stores like Save A Lot where he says the group can get the most items for their money.

“This is just a continuation of my military service,” says R.B. “My military career was taking care of others. This is an extension of that. These guys coming to HVAF, most of them just had a little hiccup in their lives and they are trying to get it back together… this goes a long way in helping them get back into the mainstream of life."

R.B. has made it a responsibility to continue helping through donating items to the food pantry. Thanks to the help of R.B. and friends we are able to can hunger for many veterans.

HVAF joins state leaders to address high veteran unemployment

House Speaker Brian C. Bosma and Leader Scott Pelath addressed the high military unemployment rate in Indiana from the Statehouse on Tuesday, February 12, 2013. They were joined by Dr. Charles Haenlein, President and CEO of HVAF and Gen. Brian R. Copes, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Indiana National Guard. The Indiana Career Council (ICC) was amended last week to incorporate veterans and improve Indiana’s training and career preparation systems.

Bosma stated this change will “unite a fragmented system, share data, and coordinate all elements of the state’s workforce development system and work to address the particular unemployment concerns of veterans.”

Find out more about changes to the ICC and discussion on the high military unemployment rate:

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=57922

http://www.wibc.com/news/story.aspx?ID=1886036

Side note: This passed the Indiana House of Representatives 97-0 and will be sponsored by Senators Long and Lanane in the Senate.

Former HVAF client soars to new heights with help from Back on My Feet

Will, a former HVAF client, just returned from  Austin, Texas, where he spoke about his experiences in a national running program, Back on My Feet, that helped change his life. HVAF of Indiana, Inc. partnered with Back on My Feet in February 2011 and Will is a recent graduate of the program. The national nonprofit organization uses running to help those experiencing homelessness change the way they see themselves.

Hear Will's speech from the Austin, Texas launch event:

Will speaks to a large crowd in Austin, TX

Will now works at JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. Read more on Will's journey from homelessness to self-reliance. His story was featured in the HVAF blog post below on January 2011.

Will's childhood wasn't easy.

“I felt like my world ended when my mother passed away,” Will says. “I went to live with my extended family but felt like I never fit in, because I thought that my family never loved me the way my mother loved me.”

After high school, Will joined the Marines, serving in Japan, the Philippines and Korea from 1983-87. But upon his return to civilian life, he was still consumed by the pain of his childhood and became addicted to alcohol. Soon he became homeless.

“I tried to fit in everywhere,” says Will. “But my addiction to alcohol prevented me from making any deep connections with people.”

Will at HVAF in January 2011

After decades of running from his troubles, Will is now running towards a brighter future.

Will joined HVAF in June 2011 and worked with a case manager and REST Coordinator Fred Young. When Back on My Feet announced its collaboration with HVAF in March of 2011, Will and other Central Indiana veterans who have experienced homelessness, signed up to run. The group found new confidence through running.

“I had not run since I left the service and frankly I was out of shape,” says Will. "I was helping  myself become a better person one step at a time by training with the guys each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 a.m. “It was early start but it left me with a sense of motivation the rest of the day.”

“Will has come a long way in learning to believe in himself,” says Brian Meyer, Back on My Feet Program Director. “He will be successful at anything he chooses because he’s determined.”

“I’m charting a new path in the New Year, and it includes sobriety and plenty of exercise,” adds Will.

Will completed the Carmel Marathon. It was his first marathon.

Veteran continues drive towards independence

U.S. Army veteran Stephanie C. has a lengthy commute.

The 50-year-old rides the city bus system, and waiting for buses to make their connections creates a 5 hour trip to and from work each day.

On Monday morning, Jan. 28, after her overnight shift as a pharmacy technician, Stephanie headed to HVAF headquarters for a short meeting. Little did she know that the meeting was a cover for a larger surprise.

HVAF staff and TV news crews greeted Stephanie when she arrived at our building.

Soon, Stephanie’s eyes had misted because HVAF President & CEO Dr. Charles Haenlein announced that she was the recipient of a car as he handed her keys to a 1994 burgundy Ford Explorer.

On this rainy day, Stephanie’s joyful laughter of excitement and appreciation warmed our hearts.

“Receiving this car is better than amazing, it’s life-changing,” says Stephanie. “This will be a huge help in cutting down my travel time, and I will now be able to sleep more and be better rested for my shift work.”

A little more than a year ago Stephanie became homeless, the transition from military to civilian life was challenging. She didn’t have steady employment and was sleeping on a friend’s couch.

Stephanie learned about HVAF through a friend. And in February 2011, she entered HVAF’s transitional housing program, moving into the Moreau House.

Soon, she found full-time work at a downtown pharmaceutical company, but she was forced to rely on public transit without her own car, creating that daily 5 hour commute to travel just 13 miles round trip.

Stephanie’s long commute and her longer journey to return to complete independence became a popular topic of discussion for HVAF staff, and when Allan Ware, a 21-year retired Army veteran, came to us wanting to donate his used car to a veteran in need we looked no further than Stephanie.

“I ultimately felt HVAF was the right fit for this donation, and this is exactly what I wanted to do with the vehicle,” Allan says. “It is now in the hands a veteran who was in need of transportation.”

It’s a single gift of a car that has the power to drive forward Stephanie’s return to an independent and productive life.

Volunteer Spotlight: A Lesson In Giving

When Melissa Weathers woke up, it was cold and rainy. Not a good start to the day, she thought. Then her thoughts turned to the homeless veterans who are often faced with great challenges like finding food or a bed to sleep in.

Melissa became aware of the homeless veterans issue after she supported HVAF food and clothing drives as a member of the Franklin American Legion Post #205.

On this cold and rainy day, she decided it was time to volunteer on behalf of HVAF again, and she knew just the way to extend a helping hand - the coupon collection program sponsored by her American Legion Post’s Junior Auxiliary, a group of children ages three to 17 who have veterans in their families and to gather to learn about patriotism and serve their local veterans community.

Volunteer Cheyenne Warnack delivers gifts to HVAF veterans “What better way to give back than to have our youngest members who each have a veteran in their family take over the coupon program and collect essential hygiene items for HVAF,” says Melissa, who is the Chairwoman of the Junior Auxiliary at Post #205.

Beginning in September, members began collecting coupons from the Sunday newspapers. The coupons were separated by categories, such as frozen, cold and canned foods.

As the holidays approached, the program used its coupons to purchase gift bags of essential hygiene items for each veteran in HVAF’s housing program, 200 men and women.
 
"It was a wonderful experience giving back to our veterans, as they have selfishly helped provide our everyday freedoms. Putting a smile on their faces and the feeling of gratefulness was the greatest feeling,” says Melissa’s daughter, Cheyenne Warnack, a 17-year-old Junior Auxiliary member.

In total, Cheyenne’s group purchased dozens of soap bars, shaving cream containers, and shaving kits that the veterans could use day-to-day.

On December 20, Melissa led her daughter and the other Auxiliary members to stops at each of HVAF’s 13 housing properties to deliver donated items to the veterans in person.

The day was cold and rainy, but it was a good start to the day Melissa told an HVAF staff member.