This blog post is part of HVAF’s annual tradition: 12 Vets of Christmas, where each day for 12 days, we feature a veteran whose life has been positively changed because of the essential services and programs your support made possible in 2023. Thank you for supporting HVAF and our veterans.

When Kyla graduated from high school, she wanted to become a nurse. After becoming waitlisted for her community college’s nursing program, she decided to enlist in the Army National Guard and wait to join the program later.

While in medic school during her military training, she received the devastating news that her father had passed. She said the loss sent her life to spiral out of control for almost a decade. Due to this, she did not go back and join the nursing program.

“I was overcome with guilt, sadness, anger, and resentment. I was only 19 and not close to being prepared to deal with that loss,” Kyla said. “My coping mechanism was to run away and do whatever I could to numb the pain and fill the void. That instability affected my entire tenure with the military and carried over into my civilian life after discharge.”

It wasn’t until 2021 when Kyla began her healing journey, which brought her to HVAF. While at another organization for help, she was referred to HVAF for housing services.

“I am so thankful for the program and the amazing people that make it all possible,” Kyla said. “HVAF has helped me get into stable housing, they have connected me with other services and resources that have provided me with additional opportunities to better myself and my life.”

We can’t ensure veterans, like Kyla, receive life-changing services to reach self-sufficiency without your support. Will you continue to support veterans in need and invest in the fight to end veteran homelessness by sending in your most generous gift by December 31st? Please send in your year-end tax-deductible donation to support Hoosier Heroes in 2024 .