Homeless Prevention Program

We received a call one afternoon from a veteran who had just moved into his own apartment after completing a program at the VA Domiciliary. He wanted to know if we knew of somewhere he could get cheap furniture. I got the address and went over to interview him, walking into an apartment bare with the exception of a small suitcase of clothing and the wheelchair he was sitting in.

Thus was born the Homeless Prevention Program.

Many veterans and their families live on small monthly fixed incomes with a majority paying over half of that in rent. With utilities and groceries put on top of that there is very little to nothing left each month for anything else.

These veterans are at risk of becoming homeless.

Many have been homeless before and have worked their way back into a little room or small apartment. For many that journey has taken years to accomplish and the pride of this, shows in their face. But something else shows and that is the fear of losing what has been so difficult to get, a place they can call home.

If you have nothing, setting up your apartment from scratch can be a considerable expense for you. Most of us take for granted all of the basic things that are needed to start out with.

Also a majority of the veterans don’t have transportation aside from public and this is very limiting and also costly.

Veterans for Peace is now filling a void that existed in the system of resources available for veterans. Actively seeking donations of furniture and household items, we store them and then use them to furnish veterans the things they need when moving into their own apartments . We help with furniture, household items such as dishes and silverware, pots and pans etc. and also bus passes. This takes a big financial burden off the veteran and goes a long way in keeping someone from ending up back on the street.

The Vietnam veteran in the wheelchair inspired us to find a way to keep veterans from ending up homeless and yet there are many more veterans out there that are living on the financial edge. If you know a veteran who needs help, please contact Veterans for Peace and together we will find a way.