Tag Archives: Veterans Affairs

New Pilot Program to Help Chronically Homeless Veterans

Posted on by Devin

The Department of Veterans Affairs will pilot a new program in Denver, Colorado and four other cities to help decrease the number of homeless veterans.

The program is funded with a $33 million grant, that will create a 40-bed program for unceasingly homeless veterans over the next five years.

In about 18 months, the Denver program plans to house many veterans.  They have yet to decide on a building where they will provide shelter. The area will also provide therapy and treatment to veterans in the program. Other services available within the residential treatment area will include job skills training, medical and mental health help and assistance with addictions.

“We do not want men and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq to find themselves homeless and on the streets,” said Barbara Poppe, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Other cities that plan to be involved in the pilot program are San Diego, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Miami.

If you are currently looking for shelter in the Colorado area, visit the Warrior Gateway. If you know of other services that provide veteran assistance add them to our directory.

To view the original article, Denver gets new pilot program to help chronically homeless veterans, by Colleen O’Connor click here.

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Vermont Guard Prepares for Soldiers’ Return

Posted on by Devin

Vermont Guard Prepares for Soldiers’ Return

The Vermont National Guard Family Program realizes how difficult it is for soldiers to return to their communities after returning home from their tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Spouses and children also struggle while adjusting to life with their soldiers back at home.

Unemployment is a big problem:  On average, 25 to 30 percent of returning service members walk off the plane unemployed.  Not having a job adds to the stress they have about things such as financial problems or mental health concerns.  And, as part of their participation in Yellow Ribbon events, the Guard has lined up financial advisers, benefits specialists, mental health counselors, and job placement experts to help soldiers and families.

Lt. Col. Mark Goodreau, director of the Vermont National Guard’s Family Program, says, “We realize it’s really important to put our best foot forward from the get go.” He believes that the sooner they can provide a resource, the better chance they’ll have to resolve the related issue.

If you are currently looking for assistance in Vermont, visit the Warrior Gateway and search for service organizations in your area.  If you know of any helpful organizations share them with others in our Directory.

To view the original article, Vermont Guard Begins Preparation for Soldiers’ Return, by Sam Hemingway, click here.

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Reintegration Back Into Society Made Easier for Veterans

Posted on by Devin

Adjusting back into society for many veterans is difficult.  Many struggle with not being able to find jobs and sometimes end up homeless.  Two programs are working together to help veterans avoid these problems.

The AACOG (Alamo Area Coalition of Government), out of San Antonio, TX has a house weatherization program that builds and modifies homes to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency.  In combination with the American GI Forum and their “One-Stop” Veteran Service Center, the two provide jobs for veterans, to help in their reintegration process.  The “One-Stop” Veterans Service Center also provides services including: a residential center for homeless veterans, Texas veterans outreach program, and help for disabled veterans.

To help with employment and training services the GI Forum also gets veterans in touch with the Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training to help with the process of getting back in the workforce.

If you are currently looking for assistance in San Antonio, visit the Warrior Gateway and search for service organizations in your area.  If you know of any helpful organizations share them with others in our Directory.

To view the original article, Helping Veterans Who Come Home, by Cathy Pasmore, click here.

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Valuable Help from Veterans Service Officers

Posted on by Devin

Ron Seman is a columnist for the Record-Courier.  Over the past 25 years he has received hundreds of questions from veterans about their benefits and entitlements that the men and women receive from the government.

The answers to these questions lie in the hands of the several veterans’ service offices that assist veterans every day.   For example he lists organizations in Cleveland Ohio:  American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and AMVETS (American Veterans).  Cleveland is just one of the cities; these organizations exist across the country.  Many state, county, and local governments have veterans departments with personnel who are willing to help in your area.

If you are currently looking for assistance within any of these categories visit the Warrior Gateway and search for service organizations in your area.  If you know of any helpful organizations share them with others in our directory.

To view the original article, Veterans Service Officers Can Provide Valuable Help by Ron Seman, click here.

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OEF/OIF Vets Returning to Pennsylvania: Upcoming Conference Seeks to Help Address Your Needs

Posted on by Devin

On Wednesday, August 18, the Pennsylvania Disabled Veterans Rehabilitation/ Vocational Retraining Project will be presenting the fifth Community Response Symposium. This conference focuses on the needs of service men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The forum will be held at Hiram G. Andrews Center on Goucher Street in Upper Yoder Township. 

Pennsylvania Disabled Veterans Rehabilitation/ Vocational Retraining is an outgrowth of the Veteran Community Initiative that provides career counseling and job assistance for the military community including families.

Are you looking for services in the Pennsylvania area?  The Warrior Gateway can help.  Know of excellent programs that serve veterans, service members and/or their families and loved ones? Share them with the rest of the military community by clicking here.

To view the original article, Conference to address needs of returning troops by Ted Potts, click here.

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