That is approximately 275,000 men and women who have worn this country s uniforms, been trained at great expense in many of the most advanced technical skills, stood guard over all that we hold sacred and dear, and in some cases, incurred physical and psychological injuries. We have all heard the stories of their descent into homelessness. Some have problems associated with their military experience, the lack of transferable skills to the civilian labor market, PTSD, the difficulty of transitioning from military to civilian life. No matter what caused their homelessness, these veterans are usually highly skilled, intelligent, motivated men and women who could be an asset to any business organization. Fortunately there are organizations dedicated to helping veterans break the cycle of homelessness and hopelessness.
Work is the key to helping homeless veterans rejoin American society.
As important as quality clinical care, other supportive services, and transitional housing may be, the fact remains that helping veterans get and keep a job is the most essential element in their recovery and reintegration. Local programs offer employment and job-readiness services to place these veterans directly into paying jobs. HVRP provides the key element often missing from most homeless programming, job placement. Through HVRP funds veterans gain access to civilian assistance, ex-military benefits and entitlements, education and training opportunities, legal assistance, whatever is needed to begin the rebuilding process towards employment. HVRP programs work with veterans who have special needs and are shunned by other programs and services, veterans who have hit the very bottom, including those with long histories of substance abuse, severe PTSD, serious social problems, those who have legal issues, and those who are HIV positive.