How do you help homeless veterans?

I volunteer and help out with the VALOR CLINIC (You can find them on Facebook). They are all about finding homeless veterans, transporting them to and from events that are set up to help them with food, clothing, medical check-ups, VA benefit enrollment, furniture, and more.

We actually go INTO the woods, into 'tent cities', and under bridges, to find the homeless veterans.

Valor Clinic is amazing and they get my FULL support and love.

i live in new jersey and the VA here saved my life i had know where to go my parents didnt have no room at their house for me i was living on the streets i went to a dr visit at the va in lyons new jersey and they took me in and i got back on my feet in like 18 months they take care of you very well here they have plenty of free housing or very cheap housing for single vets. they helped me find a job and repair my credit and took care of all my legal issues i had and kept me out of jail and made me a better person.

With respect, I know they are out there, but here , I've never met one who seemed like a real vet, or who would accept help from the VA if they were. NONE I stop to chat with during the past 9 years--hundreds...could tell me who their first sergeant was, the maximum range of the weapon they claim, their MOS....simple things. They can't all be PTSD with no memory. Recently a fellow showed up at a VA Clinic in full new BDUs hiting up other vets in the clinic for cash "to get home"--police knew him well--he was never a veteran. TODAY there were two panhandlers in Raleigh-Durham--one with dirty clothing but a nice haircut and trimmed beard, the other with red bloodshot eyes reeking of alcohol. NEITHER could name the motto of their unit; or tell me the difference between a serial number and a SSN (they both claim to be Vietnam Vets) and they both sheepishly walked away when I said we were sending some Rolling Thunder fellows to help them--if they really needed help; --so I am 1000+% supporting any true homeless vet--a nation as wealthy as ours should not have a single one; the VA could operate housing on former military bases, etc. On the other hand some choose to be "homeless". They earned the right to make that choice even if we do not believe they can make it intelligently. I just don't think they should be begging if they make that choice. And for the MAJORITY here who seem to be fakers--toss them off the nearest bridge.

CW3 Guy Snodgrass ,

I've managed to find two Veteran transition facilities in the US so far. Cave Junction, OR run by Manordev.com and Warriors that farm out of Kinnsboro, TX.
I'm in the process of setting up a nonprofit to start fundraising for a transition facility in Idaho to achieve pretty much the same thing. A shelter specifically for vets so that shuttle runs to the VA are more efficient. The NA/AA meetings are more likely to be attended because of the similar histories. On site clinic for most minor issues.
I got a few critics that think it's a little ambitious, but I've got the board put together and we'll be publishing the bylaws by the end of the month and filing the 1023 to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS as soon as we can get the $850.
Otherwise, 1LT Nick Kidwell is right. Spend some time volunteering with DAV or a local shelter. It will give insight. I lucked out in that one of my board members is an administrator for a youth rehabilitation facility here in Idaho. She already has a handle on the logistics.

CW3 Guy Snodgrass There is a fellow member of my VFW Post here in Holiday, FL. that is doing a wonderful job advocating and working towards several avenues to help our homeless brothers and sisters. I will be glad to put the two of you in contact so he can pass on any tidbits of info and guidance in your ear. He has been a driving force in our efforts for homeless veterans in our county here in Florida. Please accept my invitation and we can then chat via RP PM.

I think all VFWs have service offices and mine even has a homeless out-reach officer. The VFW prides itself at being a Service organization (as opposed to Fraternal).

If your post does not have an out-reach, volunteer to be that person.
If your post has an out-reach person, volunteer to help that person.
There are multiple tasks that need to be done (food donation gathering, finding shelters, raising CASH and educating the general population).

It is more efficient to work an existing organization than starting a new one.

The DMV area has a hugh homeless population. I wouldn't be surprised if most of our vets are mixed in with the other homeless individuals.
I can remember being homeless with a 4 year old son. It was pure determination that got me back on my feet.

I think that the American government needs to do so much more for our veterans. It appears that we are asked to do something for our country and when we are down it's like "Thank you, you're now on your own". I feel that we as veterans deserve so much more. Don't get me wrong I don't think that we should be given everything to us on a silver platter but give us a break and take care of us when we no longer can. I do realize that there are some vets that refuse help and that's their right. I also realize there are vets who, believe or not, prefer to be homeless again their choice. But the government needs to make every effort to touch base with them and remain in contact to ensure their wellbeing. My thoughts.

A look into eyes. Effective communication. Not fooled. Sincerity. Genuine person to understand their choice, forced and lack or or choice of: Understanding to be where they are.

How do you help? How do you know it's not a scam. To many homeless use the Vet card. Sa a guy the last 2 weeks had a sign Disabled Vet please help. One week he had a patch over left eye, next week it was over right eye. It is not that most of us don't want to help. But who wants to give to some Turd Claiming to be a vet just to get more money.