God has blessed me in so many ways and I want to be of service and help those in need. What do homeless veterans need most and how can I find them and provide whatever that is to them in the most efficient way possible? I can rent an apartment in an ideal location to act as a safe place to shower and stay clean, do laundry, stay warm, etc but I’m nervous that it could go sideways if I’m not careful, I don’t know the pitfalls of running a clandestine homeless shelter but I want to make an effective change in the quality of life and help be a stepping stone to lift up the men and women who have taken the oath to protect our constitution. They deserve better and I can’t sit by another day knowing that winter is here and our nations protectors are cold, hungry, stolen from etc. I don’t know where this will lead but I have a burning desire to start this. I don’t want to just donate to a shelter or hand out blankets, I can afford a thousand dollars a month and my first thought is shelter, supplies, home base, internet access, hot meals, etc. I am an IT guy so I have lots of computers printers etc things that can help a person get a job interview and arrive with clean clothes and a home address. Like a we work office like a satellite homeless shelter designed to help lift a person out of poverty and back onto their own two feet. I’m in East TN if there are any patriots out here that want to help hit me up. I’m going to start to plan and I know I’ll fumble in the dark a bit but I’ve never felt an urge so strong within me. I will let the Holy Spirit guide me on this journey and so I know this work will be good.
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This is a noble plan. The main pitfall I personally would look out for is mental illness. It isn't always immediately apparent, or maybe is only a problem from certain stressors. There is some reason why people are homeless and sometimes it is because they can't get along with other people's social structures. I also remember from a church experience that there are "needy" people who are professionally needy, as it were. They won't get better and get a job, because begging is their work and that's how they see it.
Yes this is one of my concerns. I will need to be selective and create a system that is temporary and effective. Word of mouth recommendation, 90 days or thereabouts to move through. Intake, address medical needs, asses strengths and weaknesses, make resume get job get apartment. Pay it forward.
I was just thinking about that. Some people are never going to get jobs or have regular lives, any more than some people will benefit from college. Most programs for the homeless are just meeting basic survival needs, and I think that's ok too. Your idea is different. Perhaps you can learn things from visiting the other kinds of programs and their providers. How do they screen in the other direction, to know who will always need help?
While they are there, have them agree to jobs to help build themselves & the house.
Find a social worker/behavioral health professional that is willing to help with your endeavor.
Maybe set this up as a 501c3 (charitable non profit that allows donors to claim contributions on their taxes). Then share your vision with some others and ask if they would be willing to donate some time &/or funds to help cover the costs of lifting up vets into getting jobs & integrating back into society. As a 501c3 you may be able to get some churches/partners to help with counseling or professional behavioral health services.
If you want help learning more with that aspect, I might suggest reaching out to the directors of Behavioral Health Services in a couple of hospitals near you. They can give you a list of great resources & could tell you about conferences you can attend to network locally to get the best help/partnerships for these vets.
Also setting up a 501c3 could help prevent your personal liability if things go sideways (do speak with an attorney).
If you are simply renting, so you can rent to/share with others, you might run into possible sub-lettetting issues. Make sure you are ready for those if there are any legal hassles in TN. Many of the managed properties in my area have a "no sub-lease" & "no sub-letting" clause, this prevents you from allowing others to rent/use rooms in your rented space. I don't know if allowing others to "crash" or "visit" would be an issue, it may depend on that rental agreement.
My little girl is asking/suggesting that you just open your own home up to help. She would open my home to eberything under the Sun if we didn't put limits on this LOL
This sounds like a fantastic endeavor & it is awesome you don't want to just throw money at it, you are really trying to be actively engaged in helping the community.
I hope my ideas help.
edit: typos
Check your DMs
My church had to stop helping people directly because of the professionals. We now send people to United Way.
You hit both types on the head! Mentally ill and the professional.
Word of mouth would be the best way to find people (vets) in need. Maybe reach out to churches (preferably in low income areas) for names. I would definitely want to talk to someone who had known the person for awhile who could assess their mental/emotional state. This venture would be such a blessing to these veterans who deserve so much more!
I know someone who is starting a tiny home community in Ft Myers FL. 17 tiny homes, communal bathrooms. I’m interested to see how it works out because I’ve warned him about a few things. One is substance abuse/alcohol issues. How will that be kept in check? They’re sober living units but how will it be enforced? You have to staff it. Many, many homeless vets abuse alcohol and drugs. Most maybe. Many are mentally ill and have issues with med compliance. How do you help them? Will you employ people to make sure they take their meds and follow up with appointments? Otherwise you’re just housing them and offering free things but they’re stagnating.
Another issue is.. once the word is out about your community (and I applaud you for trying to help- please don’t get me wrong) more and more people will be drawn to it. You may find yourself in the weeds, having to turn people away because you don’t have the resources or it isn’t safe. In my friend’s case, they have a grant to do this. They will have the support of local LE and social services but there are a lot more than 17 homeless men (it’s a male only community) in Ft Myers. There are hundreds, if not thousands. So once the word gets out this is available- how many people are going to be lining up? They’ll come from nearby communities. I see potential conflicts and a possible crisis.
Here lies the problem- many vets suffer mental and physical disabilities. The VA loves to pump them full of SSRIs, painkillers and other addictive substances and let them cope on their own. It’s a cycle that starts right at the point of departure from the military. Treating the problem with drugs but failing to offer affordable housing options nationally, vet friendly jobs that are compassionate about time off needed for appointments and therapy and failing to offer real case management and consistent support. Pump and dump is what it is. “Here, here are all your meds. Good luck. Don’t forget to keep your therapy appointments” but good luck affording the car, insurance, gas and whatnot to get there. Most disability benefits for those 100% disabled don’t cover the cost of the average rent these days. So, how do they manage everything else? They have to find a job. Or live with family. But many struggle so much with problems from pain to severe anxiety that it’s impossible to work. They have to have a lot of support. Americans owe it to veterans to provide this support but instead, they stand for Ukraine. There is still so much resistance to helping veterans. All that funding to bullshit causes when simply offering affordable housing and real, face to face support by qualified pros is what would help. A lot. But there just isn’t much.
I’m not sure where I’m going with this other than to say- it’s commendable to want to help. It’s a massive problem and the only way it’s going to get better is to have someone like Pres Trump who really was doing something to help vets. Things improved so much while he was office. The VA was better. Housing was more affordable. It wasn’t great but I was able to afford a house. No way I would now if I was just getting out. It’s gotten so much worse for vets under Xiden. Exponentially worse and then there is the whole Afghanistan abortion. It has caused so much pain for so many. Meanwhile, the economy.. dear Lord help us. You may help a few with your plans but we really, really need Pres Trump now more than ever and to wake the Dems up. That’s where we come in here. You said this isn’t Q related but it really is. We need to continue to wake people the F up. To research and learn and be involved in our communities. Run for local office. Every little bit helps.
I would say if you want to help the most- volunteer your time, that may be most impactful right now. There are a few listed here and realize you’re appreciated!! That you care at all is huge. Half of America would rather usher in illegals and support corruption.
https://www.military.com/spousebuzz/blog/2015/11/volunteer-to-help-veterans-5-places-to-start.html
It is important to not let the professional panhandler harden our heart. I know I had to qorm hard after learning of one in Chiraq, when I lived there, who made close to $70K panhandling. But there is real need, and as Christians, myself included, we need to find a way to meet that need...where I live, there are no homeless, but there are plenty of folks who are down and out. That's where I would like any money spent on "presents" to go this year. Also, check yer local animal shelters; they are hurting in this economy, as well...
Bless you for this. Where I live, Vietnam Vets make up the bulk of our homeless. It breaks my heart.
May the Lord assist you with the mighty discernment you will need and protect you from physical harm. Please stop reading right here if you do not want to see what experience with a similar plan, taught me. As someone who has been exposed to homeless people, and who had a generous spirit, I learned a few things. A homeless person who is a veteran and has a drug and or mental problem is essentially the same as another homeless soul plus possible extra medical needs or handicaps. Drug users on gov assistance have their own culture of others who support that they are "Jones'n" for more drugs constantly and will lie and steal and take advantage of people who have anything at all that will assist them in having what they want. Especially important is that families with kids do not "take in" a street person of any age because it can seriously endanger the other kids in the home. Under no circumstances can meth users be allowed to infiltrate your life or your family's. You will be destroyed. What is needed is for the institutions for the mentally ill that the libtards had closed, to re-open. Street people need massive help and the individuals need it for far longer than people think, to have the ability to make conscious decisions to not seek drugs/alcohol. Here is the most important thing I learned: Vets or anyone else, MUST have nutritional support to get off of alcohol and drugs. So rehab places to go to that provide amino acids/vites/minerals and therapeutic recovery meds for body and mind, and for 2 yr program of containment so they are off the street. The comfort of a hot shower a good meal a good bed and decent clothes, is a great kindness towards another. Paperwork assistance and transportation to appts for veteran assistance. But I knew I was providing a "bandaid" and not a cure. And I learned that my own loved ones had to be protected from the strangers I helped. And that I was actually in danger myself because when you are marked as someone who will help, many very bad people are attracted. As long as it is only you, who is put at risk, and not someone else in your life (including pets) then your decision is between you and God with your own prayers, and the Holy Spirit's protection of you.
Bless you. May the Holy Spirit guide you. I believe God will send you signs as to where and how to start.
First, see a lawyer and make sure your liability butt is covered. Lots of things can happen, drugs, manufacture of drugs, etc....meth houses get condemned nowadays. Good luck, may god bless your endeavor
Thank you for wanting to contribute! Also, check your local charities to see if they cover any of these bases and could use some help. There's no sense reinventing the wheel, and maybe the existing charities can use some of your ideas.
Good for you its a great idea. When you think about the billions that went to just Ukraine alone, imagine how much that would have fixed right in the US.
Theres a guy on utube that has socks food and water and sleeping supplies and he walks around and hands them out from the back of his car. May be better for you to get your feet wet and see whats up.
Charlesufarley, did you listen to Cheech and Chong growing up? Your handle name comes from one of my favorite skits performed by the Duo.
I did listen to cheech and Chong but I’ve not heard of this, I got from the movie pirate radio but I’ll definitely check this out!
It's the Drive-In. It's so good and reminiscent of the good old Big car days.
"Pedro And Man Go To The Druve-In" is a classic...the trailers still make me giggle..."Buggery On The High Seas"...too funny...
Chuck UFarley, was the Star of Buggery on the High Seas. Too funny indeed.
This is about the homeless problem in Seattle. News channel KOMO 4 part series. Had a lot of good ideas that they never implemented, really too bad because their ideas were getting to the root of the problem. You might get some insight from watching this. A Very good documentary! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpAi70WWBlw
From East TN. Check out Summit Leadership. They can help you.
There are a lot of good suggestions already posted. I'll post mine anyway.
Go find your local American Legion post and talk to their commander. Tell him what you want to do and ask for their help. They will probably be your best resource. They will know of veterans in need, and will likely also help with donations. They will be glad to provide you with any assistance possible and may even hold fundraisers to help. Good luck!