Saw this video with brief interviews with homeless veterans on the street.
We have men coming home, suffering with crippling PTSD (and that's if they don't have a physical disability), facing a shaky economy and widespread unemployment, and some wonder why there are homeless veterans?
It's hard to find a job in this economy in the best of scenarios: you have a little in savings, you have a car to get to interviews, you have a home, shower, clean clothes. What are your chances without all of that?
Most veterans do OK when they receive their honorable discharge. They find a job pretty quickly and they use their military career as a launch pad. But many don't. They struggle to function outside a combat zone, much less find gainful employment. Those are the ones who need the extra help, a boost to make their transition successful.
It's not called a handout...last time I checked, these guys were getting shot at for our nation. The least our nation can do is give them the respect of a decent segway to civilian life with proper medical and psychiatric treatment and housing options for those struggling.
If you want to get involved or find out how you can help, or if you are a veteran struggling with housing issues, here are a list of resources:
http://www.usvetsinc.org/adopt-a-room/
http://www.nchv.org/
http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/fact/Homeless_veterans_fs04.htm
http://www.supporthomelessveterans.org/
It's not the home of the brave until all of our brave have homes.
~m
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