The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says the nation's homeless veterans are mostly males (four percent are females). The vast majority are single, most come from poor, disadvantaged communities, 45 percent suffer from mental illness, and half have substance abuse problems. America’s homeless veterans have served in World War II, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom, or the military’s anti-drug cultivation efforts in South America. 47 percent of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam Era. More than 67 percent served our country for at least three years and 33 percent were stationed in a war zone.
Although accurate numbers are impossible to come by -- no one keeps national records on homeless veterans -- the VA estimates that 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. And approximately twice that many experience homelessness over the course of a year. Conservatively, one out of every three homeless men who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served this country. According to the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Urban Institute, 1999), veterans account for 23 percent of all homeless people in America.
Once again the Queer Vets of Kansas City, will be assisting the Heart of America Stand Down Foundation who has over the past 14 years been actively working to combat homelessness among our nation’s veterans in the Greater Kansas City Metro Area by bringing the local community together to provide assistance and consequently help lift some of the barriers that prevent homeless veterans from re-entering society as engaged and productive citizens
Most of us, served in silence, and today, most of us continue to serve in silence. They don't ask, we don't tell. Yet we do wear out t shirts identifiying us as a member of the GLBT Veterans Association.
Want to help? contact us: GLBTYVets@GLBTYHotline.com
the GLBTY Veterans Association is a co-sponsered project of the GLBTY Referral Hotline and as such donations may be sent to the GLBTYHotline.com at 1505 North Osage Trail, Independenc, MO 64058
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment