HVAF BLOG
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. […]
February 20, 2012
Homeless veterans, who are provided housing and other basic needs through HVAF of Indiana, Inc., will lace up their running shoes to take part in a new running program, and their first run is scheduled at 5:45 a.m. on Monday, February 27, at HVAF headquarters […]
February 24, 2012
U.S. Representative Todd Rokita of Indiana’s 4th District sat down with HVAF’s President & CEO Dr. Charles Haenlein, HVAF staff, and veterans on Thursday, February 23, 2012, to learn more about the organization and its programs. Representative Rokita heard from staff about the rise in […]
February 29, 2012
Even after Milton T. moved out of HVAF transitional housing and into his own apartment, he still returns to HVAF at least three days each week to attend HVAF’s Vet to Vet meetings. The former Army recruiter and veteran spent 15 years moving up the […]
March 1, 2012
HVAF of Indiana, Inc. was featured in a news story on FOX59 during the 10 p.m. broadcast on Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. Ann Keil, a reporter with FOX59 in Indianapolis, Ind., spoke HVAF veterans and interviewed Amanda Ellingwood, an HVAF case manager, for the story on the construction of a new apartment […]
March 5, 2012
Seconds Helpings arrived at HVAF in a delivery truck bought with a $25,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Indianapolis on Friday, March 2. The group delivered two large pans of tilapia and green beans, the “ceremonial” 6-millionth meal served by Second Helpings. “We are so thankful for the meals […]
April 9, 2012
LeRoy D., HVAF veteran Forty three year old former Army veteran LeRoy D. was overcome with emotion as he entered his newly renovated home at the Loyd House, one of HVAF of Indiana, Inc.’s thirteen transitional housing properties for homeless veterans. “I love my new […]
April 20, 2012
More than 150 people gathered for a celebration and formal dedication of the Manchester Apartments, HVAF’s newest housing property, on Thursday. The property adds to HVAF’s list of scattered site housing and apartments offered to veterans who have fallen on hard times and ended up […]
May 1, 2012
FOX59’s Vanessa McClure interviewed Zach Day about his efforts to hike to Appalachian Trail. View the story here. 26-year-old Zach Day, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, will begin a 2200 mile, 5-month long hike of the Appalachian Trail in early June, 2012, on […]
May 4, 2012
On Friday, six veterans graduated from HVAF’s Residential, Employment, Substance, Abuse, Treatment program, known as REST, which is a recovery program for people battling addictions. As of May 4, 2012, this group makes up the highest number of graduates in the program on a single […]