The word “home” has just as many meanings and is just as diverse as the people who live on this planet. For most of us home is where we feel safe, loved, nurtured and where we have a sense of belonging.

 “Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling” – Cecelia Aher, Love, Rosie

Home is the place where we share our proudest moments, our deepest dreams and our greatest fears with those whom we love the most. When I think of home I think of my childhood and the fun times I had with my brothers, cousins and many friends who would come and sleep over. I also think of our two dogs and the crazy things they would do, like eating a hot steak from a plate that was placed too close to the edge of a counter. I think of the neighbors who would comment about the smell of barbecue coming from the backyard when my father would barbecue on the Fourth of July.

The basement in our home comes to mind as the shelter where we went to escape from Kansas’ tumultuous tornados that wrecked havoc on the plains May through September. Our backyard held many “semi-pro” neighborhood football games put on by my brothers and their friends. My mother’s tiny flower garden, that was overlooked until she had a free Saturday, gave the front of our house its curb appeal. But more importantly, home was the place that I could call my own.

 “Home is a reflecting surface, a place to measure our growth and enrich us after being infused with the outside world.” – Josh Gates, Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter

Unfortunately for too many of us who are homeless, home is a dream; a dream that seems farther away from reality with each passing day that they are in shelter or living on the street.

The Indianapolis Hospitality Network website has a fact sheet (Faces of Homelessness 2011) that states “on any given night in Indianapolis there are over 1,500 individuals experiencing homelessness.”   These are both adults and children who have no where that they can call home.

When I think of all the memories that came from “home” when I was growing up, I wonder what memories the children who are growing up in shelter will have. I also wonder what memories the adults who are living on the street remember. They don’t have their own backyards or basements where they can hide from tornados. They also can’t have sleep overs with their friends and family members. These things might seem trivial until we remember that our lives and who we are were shaped by these memories of “home.”

“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself” – Maya Angelou

We all should make it a priority to not let another year go by without doing what we can to make sure everyone has a place to call “home.”

As one of the largest and most comprehensive programs for the homeless in the state, HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) provides a network of services to treat the whole person, as he or she moves from homelessness into self-sufficiency. Learn how you can help.

1) The first weekend of GREAT weather.

2) The Indianapolis 500 turns Speedway into the second largest city in Indiana for a day.

3) Cookouts, family, friends and a DAY OFF of work.

But more importantly, we celebrate Memorial Day.  A day to remember all of those who are currently serving, are considering serving, and those who HAVE served.

flickr photo by eddiecoyote

Those who have served in the military do so for the love of their country and the love of freedom.  At HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program, we have a special project called the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP).  It is a program that helps veterans who may have fallen on hard times after coming back from tour and found themselves living in shelters, moving from house to house, or even living on the streets.

The HVRP helps homeless veterans in Indianapolis to start the journey back to self-sufficiency, housing and employment by giving them tools to help job search, have successful interviews and maintain an affordable lifestyle.

We want to extend a thank you to all of those in the military or retired, the family members of those who have served, and we especially thank those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Would you like to give a special thanks to the military person in YOUR life??  Leave a comment below, give them a shoutout on our Facebook page, or you can even give a gift right to our Homeless Initiative Program in memory or honor of your hero.

Next week most of us will scramble to buy cards and flowers for a sweetheart, but we should all look for a way to give our thanks to the men and women who allow us to celebrate each and every day of freedom in our country.

Think outside the “box of chocolates” this year! Write a quick note of appreciation and make a small gift in honor of a veteran in your life through our Open Doors With Care initiative. Proceeds will help homeless veterans in Indy get back on their feet.

Did you know that 17% of our city’s
homeless are veterans?

These are people who sacrificed a portion of their lives to serve OUR families and OUR community.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, veterans who experience homelessness have high incidences of mental health and substance abuse issues, often as a result of conflict-related stress, and high levels of physical disability, due to injury or illness. And, they may lack social support networks.

All of these concerns make it difficult for some veterans to easily return to civilian life after having served. Veterans facing the risk of homelessness also often spend over 50% of their income on housing-related costs.

As one of the largest and most comprehensive programs for the homeless in the state, HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) provides a network of services to treat the whole person, as he or she moves from homelessness into housing, employment and self-sufficiency.

HIP’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) successfully helps homeless veterans everyday who are struggling to adjust back to civilian life. (Read about veterans Ricky Wallace and Jeff Smith.)

Share Some Heart

Your support in helping us raise $10,000 for HIP by March 10 gives our city’s heroes a chance to start again.  And, it’s a great way to show some love for a hero in YOUR life!

Check out our Open Doors with Care page to see how you can help!

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A Recipe for Success!

Our Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) sees many success stories as one of the largest and most comprehensive programs for the homeless in Indiana.  This particular story touches on all of the different tools HIP uses to contribute to the success of their clients.

“Smile, you’ve got a job now…”
(story written by: Karin Romani, Employment Specialist at HIP)

A homeless veteran, Ricky Wallace, came to us for help with housing through our Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program(HVRP).

Ricky Wallace proudly showing off his new job and his new teeth!

Ricky had a decent job in Evansville but moved back to Indianapolis to be closer to his elderly, ailing parents.  He couldn’t live with them as they are in an assisted living facility.  So, Ricky’s first thought was to crash with a friend but that didn’t work out, and he came to us.  We helped Ricky get emergency housing.  But one concern was the job he had just found was a very long drive, and he was worried about his car making it out there every day, especially in the upcoming winter weather.  Karin Romani, an employment specialist at HIP, helped him to apply for and get a better job, closer to home, with more stable hours so he could better assist his parents.  Mr. Wallace is now working for IU Health in the Methodist Café and doing VERY well according to his supervisor.  Throughout the job application process with IU Health, the client came into our office periodically to get assistance, and during two of those times, he complained of excruciating tooth pain.  Going way above and beyond, Nurse Practitioner JoAnn Morris stopped what she was doing, evaluated and treated him on the spot. JoAnn also finagled an emergency dental visit not once, but twice for him.  The first incidence of tooth pain came because of a seriously abscessed tooth, and the time after that was due to another tooth breaking and crumbling.  As a team, we helped Ricky get housed, get proper dental care, apply for and make it successfully through a long application process with IU Health, and in addition, our HVRP team helped him get his car towed and repaired (it died on the last day of his former job way out in Avon).  He can now get to and from his new IU Health job consistently.

Mr. Wallace is truly grateful and we were glad to help a man who we knew deserved it and is truly appreciative of it.  Ricky has always thought of others before himself, but this time he found himself in need and did something about it.  HVRP and other HIP services were there to make sure he got back on his feet so he can help his parents and be a true asset to the Methodist food service team.

To learn more about the services provided by HIP visit our website.  To directly support the Homeless Initiative Program, click the donate button in the right-hand column of our blog!

While Memorial Day marks the start of the summer vacation season, we are also reminded that is it more than just a party. It is a day dedicated to commemorating U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. It is a day of remembrance. Many of us honor the memory of a friend or family member; however, let’s not forget those that fought for our country and are now struggling with the aftermath of certain medical and mental health concerns such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and homelessness.

Consider commemorating the lives of those living and departed by flying a U.S. flag. Or, honor our heroes by honoring those that fought beside them that now need a place to turn for help. Honor them by making a contribution to one of many nonprofit organizations providing health care, housing, job training and mental health service to our homeless veterans.

Almost 1 in every 4 homeless persons is a veteran.  Close to 700 veterans in in Marion County are homeless.  During this Memorial Day Weekend, in the midst of the 100th Anniversary of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, remember that we need to fight for those who fought for us!  It is as easy as donating to our Homeless Initiative Program that includes the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

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What are some unique ways that you celebrate Memorial Day?
Any suggestions on other programs that help homeless veterans?
Comment below!

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And, one fact that is not at the forefront of people’s minds when thinking about homelessness is the amount of VETERANS who are homeless. According to National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 23% of all homeless persons are veterans.  Almost 1 in 4 homeless persons served our country and protected our right to live ANYWHERE that we want to live, build any kind of house we want, and to be free in doing so.

It is estimated that there are 700 homeless veterans throughout our Marion County community.  These are 700 people who sacrificed a portion of their lives to serve OUR community.

HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) has a Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) which is a source for comprehensive veterans’ services.  This program is helping homeless veterans everyday who have fallen to low points because of either Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, an inability to adjust back to civilian life, or started off well and came upon a tragedy.

There are many reasons why people become homeless, but there should not be a reason why we cannot support at the VERY LEAST those who made a sacrifice to fight for our freedoms. Danny Fenster, who writes for change.org ‘s End Homelessness blog, gives information on the End Homlessness Act of 2010.  Through this act, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are able to work hand in hand with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to “provide assistance to homeless veterans in accessing HUD’s Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program.”

You can help too! Help provide homeless veterans with services by visiting HealthNet’s donation page and considering a small donation of $25 to pay for a nutrition pack or a 2-week bus pass.  Help those who PROTECTED us!

“Smile, you’ve got a job now…”
(story written by: Karin Romani, Employment Specialist at HIP)

Ricky Wallace proudly showing off his new job and his new teeth!

A homeless veteran, Ricky Wallace, came to us for help with housing through our Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP).  Ricky had a decent job in Evansville but moved back to Indianapolis to be closer to his elderly, ailing parents.  He couldn’t live with them as they are in an assisted living facility.  So, Ricky’s first thought was to crash with a friend but that didn’t work out, and he came to us.  We helped Ricky get emergency housing.  But one concern was the job he had just found was a very long drive, and he was worried about his car making it out there every day, especially in the upcoming winter weather.  Karin Romani, an employment specialist at HIP, helped him to apply for and get a better job, closer to home, with more stable hours so he could better assist his parents.  Mr. Wallace is now working for IU Health in the Methodist Café and doing VERY well according to his supervisor.  Throughout the job application process with IU Health, the client came into our office periodically to get assistance, and during two of those times, he complained of excruciating tooth pain.  Going way above and beyond, Nurse Practitioner JoAnn Morris stopped what she was doing, evaluated and treated him on the spot. JoAnn also finagled an emergency dental visit not once, but twice for him.  The first incidence of tooth pain came because of a seriously abscessed tooth, and the time after that was due to another tooth breaking and crumbling.  As a team, we helped Ricky get housed, get proper dental care, apply for and make it successfully through a long application process with IU Health, and in addition, our HVRP team helped him get his car towed and repaired (it died on the last day of his former job way out in Avon).  He can now get to and from his new IU Health job consistently.

Mr. Wallace is truly grateful and we were glad to help a man who we knew deserved it and is truly appreciative of it.  Ricky has always thought of others before himself, but this time he found himself in need and did something about it.  HVRP and other HIP services were there to make sure he got back on his feet so he can help his parents and be a true asset to the Methodist food service team.

To learn more about the services provided by HIP visit our website.  To directly support the Homeless Initiative Program, click the donate button in the right-hand column of our blog!

Winter is tough for homeless outreach teams everywhere.  No one likes to see a man like Richie – “On a loading dock on E Street, a mound of frozen gray blankets rustled, and out from the pile rose their man, bundled in an assortment of jackets and hooded sweatshirts.” – deciding to stay on the streets of Boston despite the heavy snow fall.

Some of the homeless who won’t take blankets, gloves, sweatshirts, or shelter suffer from drug or alcohol abuse and maybe even mental illness.  Whatever the reason, no person should be without OPTIONS.  The advocates who found Richie were workers from the Pine Street Inn in Boston that began four decades ago to provide shelter for men suffering from alcoholism.

“[Jim Greene, director of Boston’s Emergency Shelter Commission] urged anyone who sees a homeless person in the cold to call 911, the quickest way to get help. Extreme weather can cause confusion and disorientation, he said. ‘Time is of the essence,’ he said.”

Although we may not be experiencing the weather of the East Coast, you can still help the homeless on the streets in Indianapolis this winter:

• Provide coats, gloves, hats, winter gear, etc. to HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program (HIP)
• Raise awareness about how to help the homeless in times of cold weather
• Donate directly to HIP online

“Usually dirty, drunk, and very stupid sounding, they just ask for money, or demand it.”

This was a quote taken from Thehomelesspresident’s Blog.  The author of this blog is a man who became homeless when he was 12 years old.  He has continuously tried to work his way out of homelessness and has been from place to place going from job to job.  You can read his About Me page to hear his story in greater detail.

When I read his blog post titled “Homeless, Alcoholism, Drug Addicition,” it made me think about WHO was exactly the face of homeless.  And, I agree with the blog author when he says that most people think about the person who sits on the corner or panhandles by a highway exit, who is very unkempt, and looks high and drunk.  I had an opportunity to tag-a-long with HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program‘s Outreach team who took me to the places where you see the people who are living without a home!  And sure, we saw people who were drunk and/or high, but the fact is that there are not as many as one might think.

The real face of homelessness are:

• FAMILIES who make up 40% of the homeless population in Indianapolis
• CHILDREN who make up almost 25% of this same population
• PEOPLE just like you and me, who just need a WAY out

You can help these people.  Spreading awareness about the face of homelessness can go a long way.  Or, donating to the Homeless Initiative Program here.  The number of homeless individuals on the street rose by 40% in 2009.  A small amount of your time can go a LONG way.