NEWS AND SUCCESS STORIES
Check out our latest stories, events, and the best part of the job our success stories.
November 30, 2018
It keeps getting better and better: this year, we were able to raise more than $37,000 at Operation Alpha. 5,000 more than last year! The evening was full of tasty cocktails, delicious food, live music, auction bidding and much more. “I am deeply grateful for the strong relationship […]
October 31, 2018
The Home Depot Foundation has continuously helped us over the last 11 years. Some of the projects include redoing our conference room and transforming our old bunk room to a well-functioning pantry for our outreach hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last week, the team came out […]
September 30, 2018
In 2011, Lianna Spencer enlisted in the United States Air Force. After serving for two years, Lianna got out and went back to her home in Arizona, where she went back to school and work. She also spent one year on the reservation taking care […]
August 31, 2018
After graduating from high school, Vincent decided he wanted to fight for our country, and he joined the United States Navy. “I wanted to do something better with my life,” he said. From 2007-2011, Vincent was in active duty. But due to missing his child’s […]
June 30, 2018
After returning from two years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Ray Lay began struggling with service-related mental health issues. Eventually these issues would lead to and be compounded by substance abuse, incarceration, and finally homelessness. Seeking a new start, Ray moved to Indianapolis at […]
May 31, 2018
As a way to carry out their motto “Service Above Self,” the Indianapolis Rotary Club packed backpacks for Indianapolis’ homeless veteran population. Last year, they packed 144 backpacks, and packed 180 this year! HVAF was also blessed to have Senator Joe Donnelly come to HVAF […]
May 31, 2018
Each year, on one cold night in January, representatives go out into their community and identify homeless individuals, providing a snapshot of the area’s homeless population. In 2017, 328 homeless veterans were identified. This year, that number dropped by 20 percent to 261. “This is […]
April 30, 2018
While trying to obtain employment and housing, one huge hindrance for a veteran can be means of transportation. Thankfully, Cornerstone Lutheran Church is wanting to change that. In April, the church donated 25 bikes to HVAF, with plans to bring 25 more bikes soon. “The […]
April 30, 2018
Last September, Army veteran Kevin E. was homeless, as he was living in his vehicle. That same month, his life was changed. He found out his 12-year-old grandson did not have a place to live anymore, and he would need to gain custody of him. […]
December 1, 2011
Fred Young’s father had served in WW2,and with eleven siblings, Fred says he didn’t want to be a burden on his parents. So, in 1975, after graduating high school, eighteen year old Fred Young, wide-eyed and full of hope, packed his bags and headed off […]
December 20, 2011
This month HVAF client Mike C. (photographed on the far right) has been recognized as Back on My Feet Runner of the Month. “Mike takes running very seriously,” says Brian Meyer, program director with Back on My Feet. “He has a positive attitude and I’m […]
December 28, 2011
IUPUI students with the School of Public & Environmental Affairs dropped off more than 60 boxes of warm clothes & canned meat collected by the Public Affairs Student Association (PASA) at IUPUI. “The men and women who entered our military were willing to give their […]
January 4, 2012
As a boy William W. lost his mother. “My childhood wasn’t easy. I felt like my world ended when my mother passed away,” William says. “I went to live with my extended family but felt like I never fit in, because I thought that my […]
January 26, 2012
A longtime supporter of veterans’ causes, Becky O’Conner dedicates much of her personal time to giving back. “My father was a veteran and I have a lot of respect for his service to our country,” says Becky. Becky has been a member of Auxiliary Post […]
January 31, 2012
2011 was a rough year for Bridget. She found herself nearly homeless with no other options to help her and her family survive. Feeling this overwhelming burden, Bridget found out about the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) at hvaf.org. “After losing my job, I […]
February 3, 2012
Joel and Candy reunite under one roof Joel, a U.S. Army veteran, and his fiancé Candy were near homeless. Running out of money and hope, Joel was sleeping on his son’s couch. They were madly in love and newly engaged but living apart. HVAF of […]
February 3, 2012
A father to 6-year-old daughter Lakin, Ralph M. came to HVAF near homeless, separated from his family, and determined to recover from addiction and one day gain full-custody of his daughter. Ralph served in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Police Training Officer for […]
February 9, 2012
HVAF veterans ran alongside 28-year-old Cpl. Cory Smith, who had just finished a 565-mile bike and run trek in 28 days from Columbus, Ga. to Indianapolis, Ind., in an effort to raise awareness of veteran issues, such as homelessness. Cpl. Smith, who faced his own […]