Does anyone knows of a location in DC or Baltimore, MD that has a high rate of homeless Veterans?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:35:29 -0500

My family and I are planning to hand out care packages to homeless Veterans on Christmas Eve. I have tried contacting the VA in Baltimore, no response and the operator who answered the phone wasn't too friendly. Any help with contacts or locations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 12:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:40:57 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member , could you help with this matter ?

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Dec 8 at 2015 12:43 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:43:20 -0500

This is a very good gesture on you and your family's part. I would say to try contacting the Salvation Army or the following outreach centers:

https://www.pathwaystohousingdc.org/homeless-outreach

http://www.chgm.net/programs/services-for-homeless-families/street-outreach/

Good luck and Merry Christmas.

Homeless Outreach | Pathways to Housing DC

Pathways to Housing DC's Homeless Street Outreach Program is committed to transforming the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness through comprehensive street outreach that restores dignity and partners with them to reach their housing and life goals. We do this by meeting people where they are in order to build client-centered relationships and by establishing creative community partnerships that eliminate barriers to services.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Dec 8 at 2015 12:46 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:46:32 -0500

I would try contacting the VSO or some of the service organizations in that area as they could have a good idea of how many and where most of them live.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 8 at 2015 12:52 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:52:23 -0500

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member, God bless you and good luck! I wish I had a way to help you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 12:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:58:49 -0500

You're awesome. Hats off to you for your contribution. I am stationed in Germany, but I always give generously to the homeless or those in need on the streets over here. God bless!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 2:00 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:00:08 -0500

Kayla,

Sorry for any inconvenience you've encountered. Everyone doesn't have "People Skills" unfortunately and some just overwork themselves focusing on priorities rather then taking time to assist others that in turns can become a Blessing.

Try the WWP to see if they can assist you in any way. There info is below. I will try to research for you if possible better info but I think WWP will suffice.

Wounded Warrior Project
1120 G Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005

Telephone: [login to see]
Fax: [login to see]

If you've a created LinkedIn account, there's plenty of organizations you could narrow down in the DC area that could also be of great use.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 2:11 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:11:15 -0500

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member I am surprised you couldn't find some good locations for that in the FIG area! Harrisburg and Lebanon both seem likely places for homeless vets to hang out.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Dec 8 at 2015 3:23 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:23:03 -0500

There should be a state and county Veterans office so I recommend starting there. They will be more closely connected to the community You can also check with United Way to see if they know any organizations that work with homeless veterans.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 3:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:37:44 -0500

I don't know nothing about Baltimore, but that's a great thing your doing. If I was a better person, I'd do something similar

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 3:59 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:59:06 -0500

Va for help? That's just crazy talk. But I know you can try through the legion and vfw. Pretty going place to start. Thank you and Godspeed

Response by SGT Stephen Gober made Dec 8 at 2015 5:16 PM

SGT Stephen Gober — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:16:37 -0500

I see by your profile that you're stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap. Having been stationed at the Gap for a long time myself might I suggest Lebanon, Lancaster or Harrisburg. Harrisburg especially has a large population of homeless vets and the VA at Camp Hill won't drop your calls, they will be very friendly.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 6:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 18:22:40 -0500

I usually hand out sandwiches

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 8:13 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:13:01 -0500

Seat pleasant area just outside of DC

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 8:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:56:15 -0500

You could contact your local vfws or legions. They have been very helpful to us with getting contact information for finding the amount of homeless veterans we have. The sad part to the VA is technically under their guidelines, when a homeless vet stays in a harden structure such as a half way house or shelter, they are considered NOT homeless. Our local reports "0" homeless vets in our county, this could not be further from the truth.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 10:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:03:47 -0500

I personally don't know the shelters in those areas, but I have friends stationed in those areas and they said there is a lot of vets that need help there. You could call the shelters or the VFW in the area, I'm sure they would be able and willing to help support your cause. Best wishes.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 10:04 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 10:04:36 -0500

Well, I live on the west side, so can't directly contribute (much less areas of where there might be homeless Vets). There is a tent city here in LV that I haven't been to yet.... It's awesome that you have allotted time for something like this.
I would have to echo a concern from one of the senior leaders, be careful in the area that you operate, never know who encounter you will.....

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Dec 9 at 2015 1:15 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 13:15:24 -0500

What an AWESOME thing to do!!!!! Sorry, I am in Colorado but will enjoy hearing about how it goes!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 6:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 18:43:32 -0500

How about donating to finalsalute.org

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2015 6:13 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 18:13:16 -0500

if you pull up the Five Finger Death Punch video "Wrong side of Heaven" there is a list of foundations in the end credits that you can research to get your answers.

http://www.helpinghometownheros.org

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2015 11:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 23:45:59 -0500

i love the initiative though! Kudos.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2015 12:59 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 00:59:00 -0500

Not sure since I'm not in the area, but please hit of the Baltimore "The Mission Continues" service platoon, they might be able to help you out in some way.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2015 2:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 14:31:37 -0500

Such a great show off compassion. I'm not from the area, but you have reminded me of the true spirit of Christmas. God bless you and your family.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2015 1:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 01:38:03 -0500

Your just wonderfull.. Thank you, wish I could help.

Response by LT Rexford Trudell made Dec 15 at 2015 5:12 AM

LT Rexford Trudell — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 05:12:31 -0500

Check out the 25th project. http://www.the25thproject.org/about_us.html. They are coordinating a food and clothing/gifts drive for the morning of Christmas. They did a food drive on Thanksgiving and over 200 people showed up. The project is dedicated to helping homeless in Northern VA and DC.

The resource cannot be found.

Response by SFC Monica Valdiviez-Wiley made Dec 15 at 2015 7:25 AM

SFC Monica Valdiviez-Wiley — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:25:55 -0500

There are over 53k homeless Veterans nation-wide. There are several thousand in the Nations Capitol. Contact Deb Snyder US Army Veteran retired. She is the CEO and president of Operation Renewed Hope Foundation https://operationrenewedhopefoundation.org/ they have helped over 350 homeless veterans and thier families in the Washington DC metropolitan area since 2011. Her phone number is located on the website at the bottom of the page [login to see] . This is a non-profit that is partnered with the VA and other organizations. This group is run by Veterans and goes to the Veteran in need.

Operation Renewed Hope Foundation | Ending Veteran HomelessnessOperation Renewed Hope Foundation...

Operation Renewed Hope Foundation is a Veteran-led 501(c)(3) organization providing housing and supportive services to Veterans experiencing homelessness.

Response by SFC Monica Valdiviez-Wiley made Dec 15 at 2015 7:37 AM

SFC Monica Valdiviez-Wiley — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:37:51 -0500

There are over 53k homeless Veterans nation-wide. There are several thousand in the nation's capitol. Contact Deb Snyder, Veteran, President and CEO of Operation Renewed Hope Foundation. ORHF, has helped over 350 homeless Veterans and their families living in the DMV, in the last couple of years. ORHF is a Veteran led organization which goes directly to the Veteran in need. https://operationrenewedhopefoundation.org/ [login to see]

Response by SSG Robert Myers made Dec 15 at 2015 7:44 AM

SSG Robert Myers — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 07:44:26 -0500

I live in the DC area and I can tell you first hand that there is a considerable amount of homeless vets in this area. If you haven't already tried the VA hospital here in DC that would be a good start. There is also a DAV office here in the DC are that might a good source of information also.

Response by MAJ George Buzby made Dec 15 at 2015 8:04 AM

MAJ George Buzby — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 08:04:50 -0500

The Mall (from the Capitol building north to the Lincoln Memorial), near the Dept of State, along Virginia Avenue, Lafayette Square, and Foggy Bottom near the ramp to the Whitehurst freeway are all locations in D.C. where homeless are apt to congregate. Some are apt to be veterans. When I was in College in the 1980's there was a former USN Captain living on a grate near the Watergate Hotel. There was also a veteran who had fought at the battle of the Bulge in Lafayette Square. The latter used to collect his disability checks at a bank where I worked. If you need more ideas in the D.C. area, let me know and I'll check with my church, which runs a food distribution program on Fridays.

Response by LTC Ian Murdoch made Dec 15 at 2015 8:33 AM

LTC Ian Murdoch — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 08:33:59 -0500

SPC Rhone, great initiative and a very nice thing to do! You might try the VA Medical Center in DC. Someone there might be able to assist.

Response by MAJ Clark Smith made Dec 15 at 2015 8:57 AM

MAJ Clark Smith — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 08:57:25 -0500

For Baltimore, check with the Legal Clinic at the University of Baltimore School of Law (the have a Veteran's advocacy section) and the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland (also have a Veteran's advocacy section).

Response by COL John Agoglia made Dec 15 at 2015 3:11 PM

COL John Agoglia — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:11:56 -0500

Contact Operation Renewed Hope Foundation or ORHF; a Virginia based organization that focuses on providing Housing and other critical services to Homeless veterans and their families in the greater DC metropolitan area to get them back on their feet. The founder Deb Snyder can be contacted at the following email;
[login to see]
Hope this helps and thank you for helping!

Response by SSG Don Maggart made Dec 17 at 2015 12:43 AM

SSG Don Maggart — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 00:43:53 -0500

What Are you talking about VA has cured the Veteran Homelessness Problem they checked a block on a form.....laffs

Response by SSG Don Maggart made Dec 17 at 2015 12:47 AM

SSG Don Maggart — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 00:47:05 -0500

Why Wait the need is there all year....

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 3:33 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 03:33:19 -0500

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member, Baltimore has many homeless vets. A few use the VAMC in downtown for medical help, but not many will use it for a bed, even in the dead of winter. Your best bet is to try the State of Maryland Veterans Affairs Department. I'd start with their Outreach & Advocacy Office, Dana S. Hendrickson, [login to see] . If no one there is helpful, call the Secretary's office and ask for help. George W. Owings III, Secretary, [login to see] . If none of them will help you, send me a PM and I'll see what I can find out. I live about halfway between Balto and D.C.

I would strongly second the advice some others gave you: Do NOT go to the areas most of the homeless vets hang out, even in daylight, by yourself or with a small group. I would definitely contact the Baltimore Police Department and ask them for help. They could take you around in an unmarked detective's car and provide a little protection for you. I'd do the same thing in DC and even in Hagerstown (except there you want to contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office).

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 3:04 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 15:04:55 -0500

To those of you who helped with information regarding homeless Veterans, thank you. We were able to give out 24 care packages/gifts to homeless Veterans in Hagerstown, MD. I was able to contact a facility that helps them get back on their feet and houses them for up to two years. I am forever thankful! This will definitely be a new tradition for my family every Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas to everyone!