Employee spotlight - Curtis Wiliamson

Each veteran who walks through the doors of the Residential, Employment, Substance Abuse Treatment program known as REST opens up to share a part of his past with Social Worker Curtis Williamson. Whether they have experienced bouts of joblessness, untreated illnesses, or addiction, they all have experienced chronic homelessness.

Curtis Williamson (left) with HVAF clients

With the support of Curtis and the REST program, these former soldiers are able to surmount challenges and re-enter the workforce after military service and/or find permanent housing.

At a recent recovery program graduation one man said he slept under a bridge until he got the help he needed. He got help at HVAF under Curtis’s guidance. The veterans who tell their storiesof completing the program speak with clarity, pride and wisdom. They leave the program changed.

Curtis graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and went on to complete his Master’s in Social Work from IUPUI. In May 2013, he joined the staff at HVAF,working with REST Coordinator Fred Young in helping 22 veterans at a time who are in recovery.

“My grandfather was a homeless veteran – it was intermittent and he struggled for years so it’s very meaningful to do what I do,” says Curtis.

Curtis who is originally from Tennessee adds that HVAF’s 12-step recovery is a dedicated 6 months of working with a sponsor and ultimately completing 58 homework assignments. He says the intensive recovery program holds veterans accountable for their actions while supporting them.

“I enjoy connecting veterans with services that are available to them whether it is primary, or mental health care and if they are not eligible for insurance I help get them signed up and with those barriers eliminated we are able to focus on recovery,” says Curtis. “It’s a really good feeling to know that when a veteran calls you and tells you how they are doing and you hear the program has worked for them and they are now self-sufficient – you have made a difference. And we encourage veterans to find something that they are passionate about and re-focus energy.”

In his spare time Curtis enjoys walking his dog, a pit-bull mix, Mae, and reading or painting.

Recovery Day for HVAF veterans

HVAF along with the Residential, Employment, Substance Abuse, Treatment (REST) program held its 11^th Annual Recovery Day on Sept. 19.  Each September, in support of National Recovery Month, HVAF holds an event to reflect on the recovery efforts of individuals, families and communities affected by addiction.

Recovery Day is a chance to reflect on past accomplishments and set new goals and allows veterans the opportunity to speak in support of individuals in recovery. The day’s festivities included three speaker meetings, and also included games and barbecue. 

HVAF provides homeless veterans with housing, counseling and other basic needs. The organization’s recovery program aids veterans to overcome addictions to drugs or alcohol as well as mental health barriers. Visit hvaf.org to learn more about the event.

Employee Spotlight – Kayla Jackson

This month, we recognize Kayla Jackson who just celebrated two years with HVAF last month and is one of seven Case Managers with the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. 

Kayla's contributions to the nonprofit sector began 7 years ago in Hendricks County where she worked one-on-one helping families. Then, she worked in Marion County and helped elementary school children with skills training. 

Kayla is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Social Work at IUPUI. When asked why she chose to work at HVAF, Kayla recalls an emotional time in her life, “I had a close friend who joined the military when he was 20 years old. When he returned home he struggled with PTSD and he struggled with depression. In 2013 we lost him to suicide. This led me to want to make a difference,” adds Kayla. “And I knew that HVAF was the place I wanted to work to put the skills I have learned into action.” 

Kayla’s role as Case Manager involves working with near homeless and homeless veterans. She tells us that what inspires her are seeing clients, “accomplish the goals they have established for themselves after having to overcome so many barriers in their lives. Whether that’s finding gainful employment that increases their positive sense of self-worth, finally getting access to the healthcare they’ve needed to treat illnesses that affected their lives for years, or having a small apartment they can call their own.” 

“These are things most of us take for granted.” says Kayla but for people who have experienced chronic homelessness in their lives, it means the difference between barely surviving and actually living the life they’ve dreamed for themselves.” 

Veteran spotlight

If you've walked through People's Park in Bloomington in the past ten years, you might have noticed Stan Staples. 

Or not. 

The weary veteran may have seemed invisible in the rush of commuters grabbing coffee from the coffee shop across the street each morning, or passers-by picking out clothing from a nearby boutique. 

Stan had no home. 

Using some of the survival skills he learned in the military, Stan lived on the streets of Bloomington. He would find a spot in the city where officers didn’t frequent. The Army veteran had not worked for 14 years. And gum disease had caused him to lose all of his teeth. 

“I gave up and had no goals and my own laziness led to my homelessness,” says Stan. “I also turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope I couldn’t satisfy expectations others had placed on me and as a result I didn’t have any self-esteem. And since I suffered from gum disease I had my teeth pulled so I rarely smiled,” adds Stan. 

That changed when Stan traveled to the Indianapolis VA which was where he learned about services offered to homeless veterans and provided free to Stan.

Stan entered HVAF's housing and recovery program in June 2014. For the first time in 14 years he had a room in a safe, clean supportive housing building for veterans.

At HVAF’s Residential, Employment, Substance Abuse, Treatment (REST) program, Stan stayed for 8 ½ months and received a certificate of recovery program completion. During that time in recovery, HVAF referred him to the IU School of Dentistry for free dental work. He received dentures.

The partnership between HVAF and the IU School of Dentistry proved to a stepping stone in his life. Stan received a new set of dentures from the IU School of Dentistry which was completely free. 

Once Stan graduated from the REST program he moved into another HVAF property – the Manchester Apartments for an additional 6 months and in March, he began working at the Salvation Army.

“HVAF taught me to believe in myself again and to not be afraid to ask for help,” says Stan.

Today, Stan has his own room with a private bathroom in an apartment. He has a microwave and refrigerator. “On the streets you couldn’t keep clean. Now I have a roof over my head."  

   

More about REST program 

More information about HVAF’s programs and services is available at http://www.hvafofindiana.org/what-we-do/programs-services/.  

Indy Star and NUVO Magazine highlight ‘Stand Down’

An event aimed to help homeless veterans stand up helped 489 veterans. At AMVETS Post 99, 231 volunteers rushed to unfold extra chairs for the 11th annual Stand Down event held Sept. 10. 

Post 99 was lined with tables, each serving as a station to offer free goods, advice and help to some of the homeless and near-homeless veterans of the Indianapolis area. While men and women made their way to each station inside, others were having their haircut for free outside as well as speaking with professionals for employment advice. 

Whitney Hamilton, a 59-year-old Vietnam veteran believes that events like Stand Down are extremely beneficial and he relies on services provided each year.  

"As I keep going through this process and I see these blessings keep coming, it makes me just, this is where I want to be," Hamilton said. "I am loving my recovery." 

 Stand Down originated in San Diego, Calif, as a place for homeless veterans to come and receive help as they cope with postwar life.  

Read the Indy Star and NUVO Magazine stories about the event here.
http://www.nuvo.net/indianapolis/helping-indys-homeless/Content?oid=3492329

http://www.indystar.com/picture-gallery/news/2015/09/10/annual-stand-down-at-amvets-post-99/72013040/