Veterans made up one-quarter of the nation’s homeless population, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in. To provide some relief to this large group of homeless people, several organizations in the D.C. area provide education, housing and guidance to homeless veterans, in hopes that veterans may live well, even in the aftermath of war.
AMVETS National Service Foundation is a nonprofit organization for American veterans, which is most well known for its National Service Officer Program (NSOP), Jay Agg, national communication director at AMVETS said. “Our most visible service is our NSOP, which is a network of service officers helping veterans from all wars file claims and appeals to veterans affairs,” Agg said.
Agg said that AMVETS is proud of the number of claims filed and the money recovered in 2008. “Last year in 2008, our officers did 65,000 claims and recovered $410 million for veterans and their families,” Agg said.
These service officers are accredited by the VA and paid through AMVETS, but the service they provide for veterans is free of charge, Agg said.
“A trained service officer can identify areas of disability or need that a vet may not realize,” said Agg. “It is often a confusing and difficult process, and this service can really lighten your load.”
A vast majority of these service officers are veterans themselves, Agg said.
AMVETS pays its officers with the revenue made at the thrift stores it owns all over the country. AMVETS takes donations, Agg said. Call (800)810-7148 to schedule an AMVETS donation pickup at your home.
To look up your local Service Officer to file a claim or appeal, go to www. amvets.org or call (877)726-8387.
Another nonprofit organization for homeless veterans, Wishing Well, Inc. (WW), also collects donations. The organization’s Operation Warm Hearts program provides blankets, sleeping bags, coats, and educational information to homeless veterans in the Maryland and D.C. area, said Judith McDonald, president of WW.
Education is stressed at WW, McDonald said, especially to help veterans learn job and life skills. This commonly means learning how to cope with PTSD.
“Our technique is a holistic approach, which identifies triggers in the mind, body and spirit,” McDonald said.
WW teaches these life skills at workshops that have a focus on preparing the homeless veterans to return home and have a healthy family life, McDonald said.
The workshops are held at partnering facilities in the Hyattsville area, but WW is planning to hold future workshops in D.C.
“Homeless veterans come to WW for our hands on, compassionate care that we provide,” McDonald said. “We take them step-by-step in action to make sure connected to the right resources.
For information on volunteering, donating, receiving donations, or attending Wishing Well’s workshops, please visit them online at www.wishingwelloutreach. org, or call, at (301) 980-4262.
According to the nonprofit organization US VETS is also dedicated to helping homeless and at-risk veterans, providing housing, clinical counseling and employment assistance.
Stephanie Buckley, Regional Director of the D.C. region of US VETS, said that US VETS provides housing across the country, including at sites in Washington, D.C.
“We currently house 64 veterans in D.C. in permanent supportive housing, and by November we will have 85 more transitional units, which will house 170 veterans,” Buckley said.
If you are interested in volunteering at US VETS, or are a veteran interested in US VETS’ services, call Stephanie Buckley at (213) 542-2600, or email [email protected].
Veterans interested in US VETS’ services can visit D.C. office at 3700 North Capitol Street, NW and fill out an application.
