Day 5...Building the Board

I am looking on building a board for this non-profit.  If you have any skills or know of anyone please contact me via email.   

Positions we are looking for the board:

President

President-elect

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Board Member at Large x3

Day 3....Facts

Well after a long weekend of cub scout training and birthday parties I found time to work on paperwork.  

Who Are These Homeless Veterans?

According to the (VA) Veterans Affairs, the nation's homeless veterans are predominantly male, with about 5% being female. The majority of them are single; they come from urban areas; and suffer from mental illness, alcohol and/or substance abuse, or multiple disorders. About one-third of the adult homeless are veterans.

America's homeless veterans have served in WWll, the Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Also with anti-drug efforts in South America. Nearly half of all homeless veterans served during the Vietnam era. Two-thirds for at least three years and one-third served in a war zone.

Approximately 56% of homeless veterans are African American or Hispanic.

About 1.5 million other veterans are at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and terrible living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.

How Many Homeless Veterans Are There?

Although the counts are near impossible to come by, the VA estimates that 107,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, about twice that many can experience homelessness. Only eight-percent of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly one-fifth of the homeless population are veterans.

Reasons Why Veterans Are Homeless.

In addition to the usual factors of homelessness - lack of affordable housing, a livable income and access to health care - a large amount of displaced and at risk veterans live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, which is compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.

A major priority for homeless veterans is to have secure, safe, clean housing that will offer a supportive environment free of drugs and alcohol.

So although most homeless people are single, the majority of housing money in existing federal programs, is geared to helping homeless families or homeless women with children.

Day 2...Business Plan Started

So it is day two and I am starting the business plan.  I have about 53 pages written and still working.  I have many things on my list to complete.

• Contact LCCC for partnership
• contact political officials for support
• gather up a board that is strong and knowledgeable
• start look for funding

Two programs to look into for the homeless veterans employment

1. VA’s Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) is comprised of three unique programs which assist homeless Veterans in returning to competitive employment: Sheltered Workshop, Transitional Work, and Supported Employment. Veterans in CWT are paid at least the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is the higher.

2. The Homeless Veteran Supported Employment Program (HVSEP) provides vocational assistance, job development and placement, and ongoing supports to improve employment outcomes among homeless Veterans and Veterans at-risk of homelessness. Formerly homeless Veterans who have been trained as Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists (VRSs) provide these services.

If anyone is interested in helping please email me at nepasarge@gmail.com.  Off to get registered with the state and work on non profit paper work.

Please be patient we are coming for you, homeless veterans. NEPAsarge 

Day One...Homeless Shelter for Veterans

I am sorry I haven't been here in a while but due to job loss, career change, and going back to school I have been so crazy that I can't even remember the time I sat down to enjoy a good sports game.  I am back to blogging for one purpose and one purpose only.  I am going to be blogging every day to inform the public of my process to develop this dream I have of a homeless shelter veterans.

From the Harry Bradford, reporter of Hufflington Post:

More than one million veterans are at risk of becoming homeless, while tens of thousands of former servicemembers are already living without shelter, according to the Center For American Progress. In fact, one in seven homeless people previously served in the military, a December 2011 report found, and much of the other data surrounding homeless veterans are equally worrisome.

Indeed, the issue of veteran homelessness is becoming increasingly important as defense spending cuts limiting vital benefits for veterans will automatically take effect in 2013, if Congress doesn't take action, according to the Center For American Progress.

As the future of the veteran support systems hangs in the balance, a recent report found that, compared with other homeless people, veterans face even greater adversity. Former service members are 11 percent more likely to develop a life-threatening disease while living without shelter compared to their non-veteran counterparts.

This has been very concerning to me since they are the ones that gave the most precious thing they own, their lives, to support this country.  The purpose of this blog like stated before is to keep the public informed of my goals and let them travel with me as I make this dream a reality.  The second purpose is to get support and have people give me ideas, money, and volunteer their time to accomplish this.  We are taught not to leave a fallen solider behind.  Please be patient we are coming for you, homeless veterans.

Corbett's Anti Veteran Caller

Repsonse I have written to Corbett about one of his callers. He called in on May 31, 2011 bad mouthing Veterans. My response:

Dear Corbett,

It was interesting listening to your show today, May 31, 2011 when a caller talked about how veterans receive too many benefits. He went on complaining about how it was a veterans own fault for signing up and shouldn’t get anything. He went so far as to say he doesn’t care if they lose a leg or arm they still should not get anything.
Being a veteran myself I find such talk darn right disrespectful to the one percent of all men and women in this nation that sign up to sacrifice their greatest asset, their lives. It is true that we are a voluntary organization. But I ask that caller this, “ name me another job that you have to go where they tell you and sometimes have to work 4 days straight without extra pay.” Some of our men and women serving right now are making below minimum wage yet they still hold their head up high and fight for our freedom. It is so sad that some of them are on food stamps just to get by.
Another issue is the medical issues. In the soldiers line of work we are forced in situations that effect our health both physically and mentally. For example the VA has come out and said that if a member of the military has Lou Gehrig’s disease it is most likely related to their service. We of course have found that Vietnam veterans come down with diabetes and other conditions as it is related to Agent Orange exposure. I believe that this hazard was not part of the veteran’s job description let alone any other occupation out there.

My name is NEPASARGE and I am a veteran and a blogger for veterans. I am proud of what I did with the military and my fellow brothers and sisters have done. I will speak their voice so it is heard and stop ignorant callers like that from corrupting the public’s eye. So to the caller I understand that the military is not for everyone but if you have to complain about veterans I ask where are you to gone the one percent of all Americans that do join. It is easy to bash the military but I didn’t see you sign up for the military in the countries time is needs. So rather than bash a veteran why don’t you thank a veteran or spend a little time reflecting on a veteran that has sacrificed their life so that you could have that freedom to say this. So as a veteran, to that caller, you are welcome.

A final thought to consider comes from President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address; “…to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan…” We live in a nation that has a culture of caring for our men and women who served in the Armed Forces. Maybe that is why I find this persons remarks so hurtful… Then again, I am reminded of Jack Nicholson’s speech at the end of “A Few Good Men”, or ponder how General Patton and his ridding whip would of handled this caller.

Sincerely,

NEPASARGE

Memorial Day 2011 "My thoughts"

This Memorial Day this year seems different for me. This day of remembrance and reflection will have a taste of accomplishment, of vindication, for the lives lost in America's war on terror.Memorial Day is the one-day set aside to remember the greatest sacrifice that men and women who have fought and died for America.

There have been many wars, and there has been much blood spilled by, and many tears shed for, brave Americans who went to battle for us. A resolution approved by Congress in 2000 states that we shall participate in a quiet reflection at 3 p.m. Memorial Day to honor those lost in war.Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored or neglected. Most people no longer remember proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

A couple weeks ago, brave Navy SEALS participated in a raid that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. This did not mark the end the war on terrorism. It doesn’t bring troops home or help with the conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq, but it does mean that those who went to war in the fall of 2001 to protect America and to stop al-Qaida did not sacrifice for a futile effort. Those of us who are the beneficiaries of that sacrifice owe them, Memorial Day, at least three minutes of reflective gratitude.

The Sarge Is Back

Sorry for the long break. The Sarge is back. After standing outside yesterday campaigning for the Candidates I supported, I over heard many politicians talking about things that just seems wrong. Things in this world are changing fast and I feel I need to report it. From REACH closing it's doors to local municipalities staff making more part time than most full time teachers make.
I am back and will be reporting at least once a week for now.

NEPASARGE