Once homeless veteran uses his past to help others

Not too many homeless veterans have dedicated their career to helping others in need. But then again, 58-year-old Fred Young isn’t your average guy. Young is the kind of guy whose spirit shines brightly like a meteor streaking through the night sky. But, Fred says it wasn’t always like that. At one point, in his early days out of the military, his thoughts went to darkness. “I’ve spent time in jail and I was previously homeless for 5 years living on the streets in Indianapolis,” he said. “It’s kind of been up and down for me.”

Fred Young

The US Army veteran says his dependency on drugs and alcohol escalated while serving in the military. Alcoholism (alcohol use disorder) is a disease that affects over 14 million people in the US.

“I was good at hiding my addictions, at least I thought I was,” says Fred. “And once I came back home from serving in the military my plan was to take a full year off and party but that year turned into 30 years.”

Fred was not yet committed to changing his life around but he landed a job in production at General Motors where he worked for 15 years. He says after watching his life spin further out of control, he decided to quit his job in fear he would get fired.

Fred sought help at the US Department of Veterans Affairs SATS (Substance Abuse Treatment Services) program.

“The best recovery is when the individual is honest with himself, is open-minded and willing to use the guidance and direction provided by those who have made that journey before him. That is what I did and it works,” says Fred.

Fred is 14 years clean and sober and quit smoking cigarettes 7 years ago.

In March of 2005, Fred was hired at HVAF to work in the Critical Time Intervention (CTI) program. Soon he worked his way up to Coordinator for the Residential Employment Substance Abuse Treatment (REST) program. And in 2011, Fred was certified by the State of Indiana FSSA Division of Mental Health as a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) and was upgraded in July of 2014 to an Indiana Community Health Worker/ Certified Recovery Specialist (CHW/CRS).

As Coordinator, Fred says he enjoys seeing positive changes in the veterans’ lives and says he can relate to these men and women who struggle with addictions. He uses the 12-step recovery curriculum to help veterans overcome fears and obstacles.

When you walk past Fred’s office you notice stacks of files of the veterans that he serves and case managers and veterans stop in and out of his office. Fred’s light is always on, shining bright.

HVAF of Indiana names new board officers and directors

HVAF of Indiana, Inc. has named the following new board officers and directors: (Chairman) Andrew F. Noga, AXA Advisors, LLC; (Vice Chairman) Trent Sandifur, Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, LLP; (Immediate Past Board Chairman) Steven C. Benz, Eli Lilly & Company; (Secretary) Jana Karrmann, Karrmann Insurance; (Treasurer) Charles Rainey, US Navy retired; Niki Lyons, Appirio; Bradley Lyons, Telamon.

HVAF success story chosen for United Way simulcast

A story featuring Tony W., an HVAF volunteer, has been chosen for the annual United Way simulcast that will air on all five Indianapolis television stations at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2. The simulcast is part of United Way's annual campaign kick-off that features stories from organizations making a positive impact in Central Indiana.  

Tony W. in the kitchen

FOX59 will broadcast Tony’s story. Tony, 55, is a United States Army veteran. Years of heavy drinking, drug addiction and poor choices ultimately led Tony to homelessness, and he says he isolated himself from family and friends.

In 2009, Tony came to HVAF for help with his recovery to alcohol addiction. Since successfully completing HVAF’s recovery program in 2014, Tony serves as an active volunteer and a role model for other veterans currently in HVAF’s housing program. Tony’s story is one example of how giving back is helping United Way address a community problem.

Car wash fundraiser update to benefit veterans at HVAF

In our June e-newsletter, we told you about a Summer Car Wash fundraiser held by the Carmel American Auxiliary and Post to benefit HVAF's recovery (REST) program.Roughly $800 was raised.  Funds will be used to provide veterans in the REST program with specific client services and educational materials for their recovery, as well as additional funding for outings for the group.

First HVAF job fair for veterans

Representatives from 10 companies across Central Indiana convened at HVAF of Indiana on July 24 for the nonprofit’s first ever job fair for veterans. Seventy-one veterans and nine employers attended the event.

Veterans bring valuable skills and experience from their military service to the workforce.

Tucker at HVAF's Job Fair

“I’m just putting feelers out to see about getting back into the job market and wanted to get a sense of what it’s going to be like," says Tucker M., US Army veteran and HVAF client.

“I have been out of work for over a year and I was able to meet with multiple companies like the JW Marriott to see if my skills would be a good fit,” says Leah T. a US Army veteran who relies on HVAF’s services and programs.

A 2012 report from the Center for a New American Security CNAS) offers insight into how business leaders perceive veterans — and makes a compelling case to employers that hiring a veteran is good for the bottom line.

“One challenge for job-seeking vets is translating the versatility of their skills to employers, said HVAF Employment Specialist Chasiti Herring."

Job Fair at HVAF

Veterans, according to business leaders interviewed for the report, offer versatility: They’re accustomed to uniform policies and structure, but can adapt to dynamic workplace situations. Vets tend to boast leadership and teamwork skills that outpace those of their civilian counterparts, and they’re often more loyal as well. “Veterans are committed to the organizations they work for,” the report notes, “which can translate into longer tenure.”