HVAF BLOG

Check out our latest stories, events, and the best part of the job: our success stories.

 
May 26, 2023

HVAF’s Peer Mentor has helped Army veteran achieve sobriety

At first, drinking alcohol was just a fun, social thing for Army National Guard and Army veteran Steve. “When I got overseas, I went to Korea, I really started doing drugs heavy,” Steve said. “They had all kinds of drugs, you name it, they had […]
May 1, 2023

Message from the CEO: Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness month. I want to spend a little time sharing sobering statistics about the state of our mental health, focusing in particular on the veterans we serve. I also want to say there is hope and there is help, so if […]
May 1, 2023

Meet Team HVAF: Mental Health Clinician/Therapist Kascha

Q: You have been with HVAF for more than 7 years. How have the years of helping veterans helped you to where now as the therapist for the veterans we serve? A: I think with the experience being at HVAF for so many years working […]
May 1, 2023

Al and Mike seek mental health assistance from HVAF Therapist Kascha

Did you know HVAF has a full-time therapist? HVAF strives to provide essential wrap-around services for Hoosier Heroes in need – including mental health services. Mental health assistance for veterans is vital. The Veterans Crisis Line, managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, reported a […]
April 24, 2023

Increased grocery store prices lead to increased pantry visits at HVAF

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), food prices rose by 11% between August 2021 and August 2022 and are expected to increase another 8% this year! HVAF is seeing this increased need firsthand, with an increase in visits to the food pantry month over month. […]
April 11, 2023

Meet Team HVAF: Case Manager & Marine Corps Veteran Kevin

Q: Tell us about your time in the military – What branch did you serve in? What did you do? Anything else? A: I served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. My primary MOS was 0111 (Administrative Clerk), but I also worked as an Operations […]
April 11, 2023

Message from the CEO: Grocery store prices are negatively impacting Hoosier Heroes

If you’ve been to the grocery store, you’ve likely experienced a little sticker shock at the cash register. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), food prices rose by 11% between August 2021 and August 2022 and are expected to increase another 8% this year. […]
April 11, 2023

Meet Proctor Place’s first residents!

As she was getting out of a tough situation at the beginning of this year, Navy veteran Anna was desperate to find a safe place for her and her 2-year-old son, Amir. Her uncle, who is also a veteran, told her to call HVAF. She […]
March 28, 2023

HVAF renames community center after first CEO: Donald W. Moreau, Sr. Veterans Community Center

HVAF’s veterans community center – our central hub for all veterans seeking assistance – is officially renamed the Colonel Donald W. Moreau, Sr. Veterans Community Center. We celebrated the special dedication with a ceremony and ribbon cutting last night. Special speakers included Indianapolis Mayor Joe […]
March 28, 2023

Engaging with Andrea: HVAF’s Ladies Spa Day – A Day of Emerging Inner & Outer Beauty

Andrea Carlile is HVAF’s Community Engagement Coordinator – who also leads HVAF’s Veterans Engagement Committee. She always comes back with some touching stories, and she would like to share this one with you: “I just can’t stop smiling,” Army veteran Terry said, with tears in […]
March 27, 2023

Navy veteran Sherry: “It’s my season!”

Serving in the Navy In 1989, Sherry enlisted in the U.S. Navy. She spent four years repairing submarines in Scotland. After receiving her honorable discharge, Sherry struggled transitioning to civilian life. “It was a difficult transition,” Sherry said. “It’s still difficult even to this day.” […]
March 7, 2023

Meet Team HVAF: Employment Specialist Sherry

Q: What do you do at HVAF? A: I provide employment assistance for veterans in need. Q: Why do you like working at HVAF? A: I enjoy the opportunity to help where there is a need, and what better place, than for those who risk […]
March 7, 2023

Message from the CEO: A look back at 30 years of HVAF – and a look to the future!

As you may have heard, HVAF is celebrating 30 years of serving veterans facing homelessness in Central Indiana. This year of reflection has us all looking back on where we’ve been, and planning for an impactful future as we continue in service to Hoosier Heroes. […]
March 7, 2023

See how HVAF has helped Army veteran Dee significantly in just 1 year

After serving as a Warehouse Supply Quartermaster in the U.S. Army for four years, Dee said the transition to civilian life was very difficult. “I don’t know how to describe it to be honest. Drugs came into play a lot,” Dee said. “We weren’t given […]
February 27, 2023

HVAF’s Veterans Villa has given Michael “a family” during cancer battle

Time in the military After losing his job in 1977, Michael decided to enlist in the Army so he could keep his car. He worked as a dispatcher and mechanic until 1980. With February being Black History Month, Michael could not recall any remembrance or […]