Veterans for Peace Homeless Veterans Initiative
Outreach Program
Once a week, Veterans for Peace, conducts an early morning search of the overnight sleeping spots of the homeless looking for veterans. The team seeks out and contacts homeless veterans at temporary camps which may be located in more isolated areas of the Milwaukee metropolitan area and some sites literally under the feet of the people of Milwaukee.
Under bridges, near old railroad tracks, near the Milwaukee Port, abandonded warehouses and the list goes on. Anywhere out of the elements and sometimes not out of them the homeless try to find a safe spot for the night. Many times the same group will have a spot that is claimed night after night until they are forced to move on for their own safety or by the police. It is a constantly changing search as a group or individual might be at the same place for months and then they're gone.
Keeping up with this movement is a challange, so getting the trust of the people we come in contact with is a priority. Information about changing locations can only be gotten if we are trusted not to bring the wrong attention to the night areas. Only then, after a trust has been built, can we even begin to find out infomation on who is a veteran and if help is possible.
Our van is recognized as a trusted and welcome site as we bring coffee, food, clothing, warm blankets and special items such as backpacks and bug repellant. The program is a means for us to search for veterans who are sleeping on the streets and aren't able to search for or find us.
You can also send a tax deductible contribution to the Homeless
Veterans Initiative to:
Veterans For Peace
Milwaukee Chapter 102
PO BOX 80699
Milwaukee, WI 53208
Make check out to: VFP-HVI
Milwaukee Veterans for Peace Chapter 102 meets every 2nd Monday of the month at Peace Action Center, 1001 E Keefe Ave., 7 pm
Next meetings
Monday March 15
Monday April 12
Make a difference in the cause of peace by joining Veterans for Peace, Milwaukee Chapter 102. The many volunteer opportunities can put you on the front lines of ending veteran homelessness and aiding veterans whose PTSD complicates their family and personal lives.
To join
Email us at info@milwaukeevfp.org
Phone: 414.810.0655
Write:
Veterans For Peace
Milwaukee Chapter 102
PO BOX 80699
Milwaukee, WI 53208
2009 Point in Time Survey
Taken every two years in Milwaukee by the Milwaukee Continuum of Care, this survey is a snapshot of data of the homeless in Milwaukee. Participation from 41 organizations and 70 volunteer interviewers from emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, meal programs, homeless service providers, street outreach and churches make it possible. The 2009 Point in Time Survey counted a total of 1,660 adults and children who were homeless on the night of January 28, 2009, including 965 adults and 349 children counted directly by the Point in Time and an additional 346 adults and children reported by the Rescue Mission. Of the 965 adults counted by the Point in Time, 919 were directly interviewed by Point in Time volunteers. This report presents
the results of these interviews.
and a summary of homeless veterans in Milwaukee here: READ MORE