More than 150 people gathered for a celebration and formal dedication of the Manchester Apartments, HVAF’s newest housing property, on Thursday. The property adds to HVAF’s list of scattered site housing and apartments offered to veterans who have fallen on hard times and ended up homeless.
HVAF partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, United Way of Central Indiana, The Home Depot, The National Bank of Indianapolis and Halstead Architects in the $3.2 million, nine-month renovation of the Manchester Apartments building. The fully occupied facility, which has been open since fall of 2011, houses 51 veterans, including four women.
The event kicked off with the presentation of colors, national anthem, and then a special presentation followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony. Guided tours were given to guests by HVAF staff members.
View the Indy Star news story at the link below.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20120420/LOCAL/204200348/Apartments-homeless-veterans-Indy-can-first-step-better-life?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com
View the event slideshow below.
Monday
Leadership group renovates HVAF property
 | |
| LeRoy D., HVAF veteran |
"I love my new home,” says LeRoy. “What these volunteers did is simply amazing. It has uplifted my spirits.”
In just 48 hours from March 30 to April 1, 2012, Zarvos Leading & Coaching and its Vision in Action (VIA) volunteer team renovated the Loyd House property, which is home to five formerly homeless veterans.
The volunteer team installed new flooring and carpeting, updated bathroom fixtures, connected new kitchen appliances and new light fixtures, moved in new furniture, and applied fresh pain to interior and exterior walls. Volunteers also provided the property with fresh landscaping as part of the remodel. It was the first renovation for Loyd House in 13 years.
"I noticed the HVAF van while out in the community," says Heather, a VIA volunteer. "The words helping homeless veterans stood out since we have a number of our team members who are veterans. I wanted to learn more, and after talking with the HVAF driver, I felt there would be a good service project that our group could take on."
"The volunteer project has allowed us to use our resources elsewhere in helping homeless veterans in Central Indiana," says Chief Operating Officer Ron Shelley. “It’s nice that this group was able to come in and do this extensive work. The home needed it.”
Jason, who has been living at the Loyd House for 9 months, has struggled to find a job. He was introduced to HVAF through the Veterans Affairs.
"This house looks great and I can't believe the volunteers did this all in 48 hours," says Jason. "HVAF has given us a second chance to get back on our feet and this home is just beautiful.”
Project donations totaled roughly $25,000, which doesn't include monetary gifts and gift cards donated to HVAF for the renovation.
The following companies made the Loyd House renovation possible: American Freight and Furniture, The Home Depot,Kroger, Lowe's, Marsh, Hoosier Overstock, Southport Discount Appliance, First Merchants Bank, Donaldson Company, Lee Supply, Inc., Shafer's Collision Repair, Furniture For Less, Chic-fil-a, Marco's Pizza, C. R. Hero's, VIA Block Party, Southside Pre-owned Office & Furniture, Books-A-Million, Target, Sears Hardware, Meijer, Wal-Mart, High Maintenance Nail Parlour, Vacuum Authority, Mary Sue & Dave Meiser, Discount Tire, Beauty Brands, Bed Bath & Beyond, Mayes Mattress.
You can read more about the HVAF Loyd House remodel at MSNBC.com.
In Indianapolis, local television news affiliates also reported on the story, including WXIN Fox 59 and WRTV 6, the ABC news station.
A video report that aired on WISH-TV 8 includes interviews with HVAF veterans who live in the Loyd House can be viewed below.
WTHR Channel 13 also posted video of the renovation work.
View the slideshow of photos from the day.
HVAF of Indiana, Inc. veterans receive 6-millionth meal
"We are so thankful for the meals provided to us by Second Helpings," says Army veteran William K. who came to HVAF last year in need of housing. Veterans at HVAF also receive one-on-one case management, food, clothing and other basic needs.
HVAF has received pre-cooked dinner meals from Seconds Helpings for more than 8 years. It has allowed HVAF to use its resources more efficiently in other areas to better serve the veterans.
Jennifer Vigran, CEO of Second Helpings, spoke to the group of 22 veterans and HVAF staff about the organization's partnership with HVAF. Vigran said it was a privilege to support veterans in return for their dedicated service to our country.
"We really appreciate Second Helpings," says Ron Shelley, chief operating officer at HVAF. "It's great that they provide a well-balanced meal that includes meat, vegetables and fruit Monday through Friday."
Susie Harmless, executive director of Rotary Club of Indianapolis, expressed her excitement in donating the delivery van to Second Helpings. "It's great to be here today and see the delivery truck in use to serve communities in need such as these veterans here today."
Thursday
FOX59 Indianapolis interviews HVAF of Indiana, Inc. veterans
HVAF of Indiana, Inc. was featured in a news story on FOX59 during the 10 p.m. broadcast on Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012.
Ann Keil, a reporter with FOX59 in Indianapolis, Ind., spoke HVAF veterans and interviewed Amanda Ellingwood, an HVAF case manager, for the story on the construction of a new apartment complex for veterans with disabilities, a project HVAF is not involved in.
In the story, veteran Joe K. says he struggled with addiction, ended up on the street, and then made it into transitional housing at HVAF.
You can watch the full story here.
Wednesday
Living a life of recovery
Even after Milton T. moved out of HVAF transitional housing and into his own apartment, he still returns to HVAF at least three days each week to attend HVAF's Vet to Vet meetings.
The former Army recruiter and veteran spent 15 years moving up the ranks of the military and gaining more responsibility along the way. Once he finished his time in the Army, Milton encountered many difficulties transitioning back to civilian life. In September of 2011, after being in and out of treatment facilities, Milton came to HVAF, after facing more than a decade of drug use that led to homelessness.
"I told myself that Indianapolis was my last stop," says Milton. "I was tired of moving around and chasing dreams. Just before coming to HVAF, I moved in with my granddaughter for several months. It was at that time, I realized I wanted to be good role model to her and the rest of my family."
Milton is one of 15 veterans who meet each week. HVAF's Vet to Vet program began in October of 2005, as a way for veterans to address issues that may arise within the home. When a veteran is admitted to the program, there are weekly meetings to discuss issues that may be affecting their lives.
"Many of the veterans share personal stories about the difficulties they face while trying to find employment in the community," says Fred Young, HVAF's peer mentor.
“We discuss how to handle stressful situations without losing everything they worked hard for and at the same time how to feel accepted among family and friends. One of the hardest barriers that some of the residents have is relapsing back to alcohol and/or substances. Vet to Vet is focused on one veteran helping another through sharing personal experiences and understanding of what the other is going through.”
During Vet to Vet meetings, Milton talks about his time living on the streets of Brooklyn where he says his drug addiction hit rock bottom. He also suffered a head injury during basic training in 1975 that went untreated, and he now receives medical care at the VA Hospital.
"2012 is a new start for me," says Milton. "Moving into HVAF's Warman Apartments and being amongst veterans has helped me understand my past and want to change my future. Attending Vet to Vet meetings has helped provide me with structure."
Milton continues to live a life of recovery. He's been drug and alcohol free for 9
months.VIEW THE MARCH 2012 HVAF NEWSLETTER AT THIS LINK
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)