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.

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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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