HVAF Kitchen Renovation

On May 13, twenty-five volunteers and eight businesses joined together to renovate the kitchen at HVAF’s headquarters that is used by veterans daily. This was the first major renovation project for the kitchen since HVAF acquired the building in 2008. The group painted walls and doors, cleaned, hung ceiling tiles and fans, and organized the space. 

HVAF volunteer Miranda Morris an eight-year-veteran of the US. Army Reserves, first learned of HVAF in 2012 while volunteering for an event on IUPUI’s campus with the Veterans of IUPUI. She suggested to a family member who works at Keller Williams Realty the idea of taking on the kitchen renovation project because it aligned with the company’s annual Red Day projects. The project planning process began in February 2014.

“After attending several events within HVAF’s dining facility, there was a visible need for maintenance to enhance the efficiency,” says Miranda.  “The dining facility is the heart of HVAF. Residents break bread together, enjoy the company of others, and attend impactful programs. Those who volunteer to serve our veterans also spend a great deal of time within the heart of HVAF, providing dinners and programs for the veterans. The dining facility is also the welcoming space to the families of HVAF vets.”

“We were very excited to support HVAF,” Julie Downey of Keller Williams Realty. “The mission of KW Carmel Cares as well as The Realtor Foundation is to do what we can to end homelessness in Indianapolis and surrounding areas, and support empowering the homeless to get back on their feet and into the community. HVAF is directly in line with that. When presented with the opportunity to support, we were excited to be able to do so.”

Keller Williams reached out to Matt Troyer from Emergent Investments to see if they were willing to donate their time and skills toward this project as well, which they were happy to do. Emergent helped create the supply list necessary and then on Wednesday before Red Day they trimmed and hung new closet doors, and installed base and wall cabinets.

“Our job is not finished there, and we look forward to assisting in any way we can in the future.”

With all the help from those who donated funds, materials, and their time, HVAF has a brand new space for residents, their families, employees, and volunteers to enjoy.

The list of project contributors include:

Keller-Williams Realty Carmel Indiana
Keller-Williams Carmel Cares - money to do the work
Emergent Investments - did all the work on Wednesday installing cabinets
The Legion 360 for $1500 towards supplies for work (given to them by another Indiana Legion)
The Keller-Williams Red Day Team who was there on Thursday doing the work
Sue Fusek donated the hardware for the cabinets from their hardware store that is downtown. Fusek's True Value Hardware.
Waterstone Mortgage donated the box lunches for the volunteers and residents. 
Mike Lyons and Bob Sargent did the running to pick up materials 
Mike Seigel donated a can rack which was arranged by Cindy Cherf.

Veteran reaches out to HVAF for job services

As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Michael S., 47, understands what it means to work hard. But as so many people do, he found himself out of work. In February 2014, he turned to HVAF for housing. Once he had a roof over his head, his next goal was finding a job but finding employers who would take someone that didn’t have recent work experience, let alone any relevant work experience, was a difficult obstacle to overcome. 

In Indiana, the unemployment rate for veterans in 2013 was 6.7% and the post 9/11 veterans’ unemployment rate is 16.9% according to the Bureau Department of Labor.

Michael’s Case Manager, Jerrika Pence, referred him to HVAF’s employment services where Employment Coordinator, Chasiti Herring, updated his resume and looked for jobs which fit his skill set. In January, he was hired on to work full-time as a 2nd shift forklift operator.

Now, Chasiti is working with Michael again to help him to secure a full-time first shift position. 

“Michael has over 10 years of experience working as a certified CNC Machine Operator and as we do with all our veterans, we are looking for the right opportunity for Michael that is tailored to his unique skill set,” says Chasiti.

"HVAF has helped give me more confidence to face the job market and a chance to achieve what I want most which is my own apartment,” says Michael. "The people at HVAF have the compassion and knowledge to help veterans. Without HVAF, I may not have been given this incredible life-altering opportunity."

"Finding work is an important part of building back confidence and pride and sustaining independence," says Michael’s Case Manager, Jerrika Pence. 

Michael continues to have a positive outlook and is thankful to join the number of veterans served at HVAF through its employment services.

In 2014, 140 veterans met with an Employment Specialist at HVAF and 72% of clients successfully obtained employment with the assistance of HVAF’s employment services.

HVAF job fair helps veteran get foot in the door

On May 7, a job fair at HVAF connected veterans, service members, military spouses with employers who are actively hiring. Twenty employers were on hand, including Lowe’s, UPS, and Eskenazi Health. One hundred and three veterans attended the fair in which 6 veterans were hired on the spot and many others left with interviews scheduled.

“In this day and age, most job applications are submitted online," says HVAF Employment Specialist Chasiti Herring. "The job fair helped veteran job seekers connect and network with employers on a face-to-face basis, which enabled them to create a great first impression and secure interviews. The Employment department truly appreciates all of the employers that partner with HVAF to actively recruit veterans.”

U.S. Army veteran Rick W. says the fair allowed him to get his foot in the door and to learn about opportunities he may otherwise not know about. At his lowest point, Rick was living out of his van; he lugged around a sleeping bag and had only one change of clothes and he did not know where his next meal would come from. 

In 2013, Rick turned to HVAF of Indiana for housing and now that he has a roof over his head he is able to focus on finding a job. HVAF has also assisted Rick with resume preparation. 

The next job fair for veterans is scheduled to take place in the Fall.

Mouth mobile helps veterans

His dreams of the big time had all but faded after two decades of hard luck, homelessness and substance abuse. Then, the 56-year-old piano player and Sergeant of the Marine Corps found hope in an unlikely place: Indianapolis. His music career had picked up in Indy but AJ has always suffered from stage fright; not from performing but because of his smile and the condition of his teeth.

Broken teeth from fights and decay have hurt his ego and not having insurance or the ability to be able to afford a dental visit are the reasons why he did not visit a dentist. After two decades AJ, along with a dozen veterans from HVAF, went to the Indiana State Capital for Aspen Dental’s 2nd annual Mouth Mobile Movement on April 28. The community giving initiative delivers free dental care and oral health education to people across the US in need. This year Aspen Dental is focusing on treating of our nation’s veterans.

The past 12 months have blurred together for AJ. He has gone from living in a homeless shelter to receiving housing through HVAF to once again booking jobs to play at clubs. In Indianapolis, people recognize him on the streets. He plays "MacArthur Park" a song which Jimmy Webb wrote and he loves to perform songs by Elton John. There’s a hint of uncertainty in his voice despite his success. He still hasn’t figured out how to make sense of it all.

He still feels pain. After an accident at a construction job in 2010 AJ began using pain pills and an addiction ensued when he was told he could not work again because of his injuries.

“I felt like everything I had done for the past 30 years went down the drain but once I arrived at HVAF for housing and help with recovery I started to see improvements in my attitude and my health. I look forward to once again performing with a clear head and a big smile and after my dental visit I am excited about the possibilities that are ahead. One of my goals includes playing at supper clubs,” adds AJ.

AJ at HVAF

HVAF housing property gets energy efficient windows

As we first told you in February, thirty Team Depot volunteers renovated HVAF's Lyter House, a transitional home for six veterans. Now, volunteers have come back to install energy efficient windows throughout the house.

“We wanted to replace the windows in the home because during the first part of the project we noticed the home had older single pane windows,” says Matthew Rice, Home Depot store manager, store 2018. “We wanted to improve the comfort and heating efficiency of the home by replacing the windows. Our HDE team that installs our windows for us generously donated the product and labor to the project. I'm glad it turned out well!”

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. In addition to the energy-efficient windows 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.