Homeless Veterans
 

:mad: :thumbdown: :mad:

"According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are about 195,000 homeless veterans on any given night. Last fall, the VA estimated a shortfall of 9,600 ``transitional'' beds for those vets, accommodations intended to serve as a stepping stone from the streets to independent living.

The VA has secured funding for up to 1,800 beds to be added by the end of this year and is seeking $15 million more from Congress for more beds."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlates...=ticker-103704

Apart from the charities listed below (and giving the odd Abe Lincoln to the vet with the 'Homeless and Hungry' sign outside your local grocery store), what other charities are there that help these guys?

Veterans Village of San Diego: http://www.vvsd.org/

VA homeless program: http://www1.va.gov/homeless

Re: Homeless Veterans
 

Dreadful, isn't it!! these poor guys risking their lives for us and we (the country) can't even make sure they are taken care off when they are home - disgraceful :mad:

I started volunteering recently for a local charity - for all homeless, regardless of circumstances etc.

But its a local one and I'm not up with all the national charities.

Re: Homeless Veterans
 

its something about America that i will never ever come to terms with, the haves and the have nots. There is just so much poverty here it is so upsetting. So many houses empty because of forclosure where are these people going to.. its so sad

Re: Homeless Veterans
 

This kind of situation really brings the reality of life into perspective doesn't it...? It sure makes some of the threads here seem trivial in comparison to what others have to endure in their lives.

Re: Homeless Veterans
 

So true.

My brother was here a few weeks ago, he's been here for extended periods of time over the years, taking courses all over the country, and was offered work here straight out of university but refused as he preferred Europe - he owns a fairly large company in the old country in Europe and has for a few years.

He's spent time with us, but never as long as he did this time. In driving around to the various beaches, etc....he mentioned the amount of wealth which seemed obvious - the number of banks, etc.....as he noted - our metropolitan area alone has probably the annual GDP of the country he lives in.

On the other hand, he's never seen as much poverty in Europe, in all his travels there, that he saw whilst he was here. Mostly, his concern was about the 75 year olds packing groceries (some grocery stores have nothing but, in some areas he was in), so that they're able to afford medication. As he noted, this is definitely not a country in which to grow old in. There is no safety net, and one bout of cancer can often spell financial disaster and have you on the street.

Sad, isn't it?

Re: Homeless Veterans
 

Just a word of caution .....I live close to 2 VA shelters and there are a staggering number of level 3 sex offenders living in them and working close by. Obviously a lot of states/shelters have rules against this and I don't want to tar all with the same brush but as with most things please exercise due diligence.

Re: Homeless Veterans
 

We have a sex offender on our apartment complex. We are moving soon but it is a bit stressful knowing that we can't let our daughter out of our sight. Anyway, what do the levels signify? Nobody seems to be able to tell us.

Re: Homeless Veterans
 

Can we keep this on topic please?

I have no doubt that homeless Veterans include a higher than average proportion of alcoholics, drug addicts, schizophrenics etc......... and, yes, possibly also sex offenders.

This does not detract from the scandal of the inadequacy of support and provisions for these former soldiers who served their country.

Re: Homeless Veterans
 

I agree whole heartedly!