Milwaukee Homless Veterans

 

Mission Statement

 

The Homeless Veteran Initiative is a veteran helping veteran organization. We find and assess homeless and at-risk veterans. We provide the services that veterans need to reach and maintain their highest level of independence.

 

We are determined to:

 

End homelessness among current and future Milwaukee area veterans

 

Secure veterans' rights and benefits

 

History

 

The Homeless Veterans Initiative began in June 2008 when two members of the Milwaukee chapter of Veterans of Peace began interviewing homeless veterans at Repairers of the Breach, a daytime shelter in Milwaukee. In becoming advocates for those who were at a disadvantage in navigating the bureaucracy of the VA we earned a reputation for being someone the veterans could trust and count on.

Since the beginning we have also gone out once a week in the early morning to the places the homeless find to sleep and have searched for veterans. In a little over three years interviews have been conducted with over 450 veterans, and many now receive benefits for their service to this country.

 

Many of the veterans are then enrolled in programs and care at the VA hospital and are able to get their first apartment or room of their own.  We then provide furniture and household items to the low-income veterans who in some cases had been homeless for years. The donations of furniture and household items that we receive go directly to veterans in need. Veterans for Peace in partnership with St John's Lutheran Church operates a Veterans Food Pantry that then assists with a weekly distribution of food and a once a week meal.  With over 350 veterans registered at the food pantry we are determined not to leave our fallen comrades behind. 

 

 

 

 

Get Involved

 

There are huge organizations that collect billions in donations and government grant money, but spend much of it on administrative costs, paid fund raisers, and expensive advertising instead of assisting those in need. Thousands of small organizations provide much needed assistance to the homeless and low-income, and do it efficiently. Many people volunteer their time every day without any compensation. Groups like these need assistance in donations of money, food, clothing, and volunteer help. Small organizations really do make a difference, and can put donations to good use.

If you decide to donate to a charity it's a good idea to get to know them first. Many groups do good work, but there are fraudulent operations too. Check them out and see for yourself what their accomplishments really are. Better

yet, get involved with them and volunteer some of your time.