WELCOME VETERANS!
Sometimes there is so much readjusting after active/reserve duty. It can seem insurmountable. Feelings in not being understood or difficulties dealing with physical injuries can be incredible problems.(2) Unfortunately, two of the biggest issues facing veterans today are homelessness and suicide, but please don’t stop reading if you aren’t homeless or suicidal.
As veterans, we have all experienced the sense of duty that comes with a military commitment. Each of us took a solemn vow to defend and protect. In accomplishing this obligation we have experienced many things - some good, some not so good. Our group is starting out as a source of help for you, providing this help by being good listeners.
Defining homeless can be described in our laws as those who “lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.”
In 2019, the United States had a homeless population of approximately 530,000-568,000. (1) That’s a lot of people!
A Point-In-Time count conducted by HUD in January 2019, revealed 37,085 veterans were homeless in the United States.
Some of the contributing factors regarding a veteran being homeless include, but are not limited to:
physical or mental disabilities
substance abuse
family breakdown
joblessness
poverty
lack of affordable housing
Our society has often stigmatized and ostracized the homeless and poor. This can come from fear, denial or just not being aware of the significance of the problems the homeless and poor experience. They are sometimes even considered a blight on society.
Veterans, having served our country to the best of their ability, sometimes facing societal prejudices, including the sense of being forgotten. Hence, another issue plaguing veterans is suicide. Suicide rates among veterans rose in 2017 to over 120 per day. As reported by NBC News and the VA, in 2018, veterans are twice as likely to die by suicide than the general population, which incidentally, is also experiencing a rise in suicide.
The power of listening may help and heal our veterans and their families. This is what we chose to use in our group, to help cope.
Please feel free to explore our website and contact us with any questions.
Thank you.
Our support group works to hear and be heard-to see and be seen
Post 3404 has been so important in the continued effort of our group and we are grateful. Our group, as it grows, seeks to identify itself in the community as active listeners for our veterans. Each has his/her own story, each deserves our respect, as we deserve respect for our stories. Here Holly Butler, co-facilitator, is talking with the group about a possible logo for our website and car stickers.
At Post 3404, our group meets to help each other process the many challenges of transitioning from the military. In order to help get the word out about our group, Holly Butler shows us a sample of a t-shirt we are considering for purchase. Holly is a co-facilitator for the group and has worked hard to help make us a listening community
Give Vets Hope Facilitator
David Suits
David Suits is a vietnam Veteran having served in the infantry there from 1970-71. He was an elementary school teacher, elementary school counselor and adjunct college instructor for 38 years. David was a licensed professional counselor and nationally board certified until his retirement in 2012 from the Willard School Department. He was been active with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 963 and then 3404 since 2013.
Holly Butler
I have worked with veterans for about 4 years and social work for about 5 years. I have a Master's degree in criminal justice and found myself leaning towards helping veterans and their families. I'm not a veteran but I used to work with homeless and at risk veterans and I wanted to somehow help them by having a support group with a nonjudgmental setting where they are free to be open and honest among their peers. So this is how we started. I approached David Suits along with Al Wagner at the VFW and pitched that idea to come up with a support group for veterans. David had alot of experience and knowledge with veterans and mental health so I wanted him to be the right hand man of our group. He agreed to try this for a few months, reached out to veterans and we started Give Vets Hope. I loved the name because the veterans I used to meet with when I worked as an intake specialist just needed hope and I knew that David and myself could "Give Vets Hope". I work in social work as a case worker and I also have a family of active military and veterans. I have a passion for helping people especially veterans. I heard so many stories about their struggles after coming home from war or even ones that were not in combat struggle with mental health issues that led to substance and alcohol abuse, divorces, and homelessness. I think I wanted to support all of these veterans and their families because they did so much for all of us and I want to give back the best way I know I can and that is to provide support and be a good listener for all of these brave individuals.