2025 has been a whirlwind of a year. It’s been filled with uncertainty, reconstruction, progress, and hope for the future. The holiday season is an annual reminder to pause. Be thankful. Be renewed. Recommit to the work ahead.

I am thankful this year for the incredible resilience of Team HVAF, both our organization and my teammates. We’ve spent this year adapting to difficult circumstances, rebuilding our largest property, and providing high-quality services to help veterans end their homelessness. Despite the challenges, we celebrated a significant reduction in veteran homelessness this summer.  26% fewer veterans experienced homelessness this year, part of a 51% reduction since 2021.

Emmy Helping a Veteran at our annual Stand Down event!

I am thankful for the tremendous outpouring of support we received in response to the fire and in support of the vital work we are doing in our community. Because of your support, we continue to offer hope, housing, and self-sufficiency to over 1300 veterans and their families through our housing, employment, mental health support, and basic needs assistance programming.

I am renewed because the holiday season brings out the best in all of us. And it’s incredible to have a front row seat to the generosity shared this time of year. Last month, I joined donors and volunteers as we distributed Thanksgiving meals to veterans in our housing units and through our pantry services. Later this week, I will help receive gifts for 450+ veterans adopted by community members and organizations.

I am renewed because we are so close to completing the restoration of Manchester Apartments. For Team HVAF, it has been a reminder that even during hard times, we continue to focus on our mission. It’s been an incredible opportunity to face tragedy, work together, and rebuild stronger than ever.

I am looking forward to 2026. I am filled with hope about the future for veterans in our community, for HVAF, and our talented staff dedicated to making Indiana a better home for all veterans and their families. We are looking forward to the reopening of Manchester Apartments, the grand opening of a new pantry space, and continued progress toward ending veteran homelessness.

I hope this holiday season will be filled with peace and love, and the opportunity to share the warmth of the season with family and friends.

I hope you will join us, recommitted in 2026, determined to end veteran homelessness.

RECOMMIT TODAY