Veterans sacrificed their comfort and safety to work in grievous environments for the sake of the security of their fellow citizens. Notwithstanding their selfless services to the country, quite a large number of veterans are grappling with poverty, homelessness, and loneliness. However, organizations, individuals, and civic groups have risen to push for the help for homeless veterans.
Below are 5 honorable ways through which you can help for retired veterans:
Donate food and clothes
Inarguably, homeless veterans live in deprived conditions with little access to food and comfortable and warm clothes. Donate your clean and intact clothes such as t-shirts, pants, sweaters, and jackets to veterans in homeless shelters or streets. However, always donate new and unused personal items and clothes like underwears, socks, and t-shirts. Besides, you can donate non-perishable and canned food.
Promote your local homeless shelter
Several homeless shelters crumble due to lack of sufficient funds to meet the needs of the homeless veterans. If your local homeless shelter is grappling with such a situation, you can help out by printing and giving out fliers asking for financial support from people. Similarly, contact schools, churches, veteran organizations, and civic groups for contributions.
Offer jobs to homeless veterans
Are you an employer or working in a company with a vacancy that can be filled by a homeless veteran? Don’t shy away from giving a veteran the chance to work for you. This will not only improve their financial situation but will also help them to get back on their feet both emotionally and psychologically.
Offer free professional services
Evidently, homeless veterans suffer from emotional and mental turmoil. Therefore, if you are a professional mental health specialist or counselor, visit the homeless veterans and offer them your services. Besides, the veterans may need legal services when applying for housing programs and other benefits. Challenge yourself to volunteer your legal services to the veterans at low or no cost. Furthermore, help the veterans learn essential life and social skills while at the same time mentoring them in their learning course.
Volunteer at a homeless shelter
There are diverse volunteering opportunities in homeless shelters. Volunteer to cook meals, clean clothes, or hand out food and clothes at a homeless shelter. Furthermore, you can use your talents and skills to entertain or train veterans. That said, call a homeless shelter near you and ask for a volunteering opportunity.
Conclusion
Homeless veterans deserve unlimited attention and help due to their selfless services to the country. You can initiate the help for retired veterans in your area and drive the locals to join you in the mission. Donating foodstuff and clothes, volunteering your services, and offering the veterans job opportunities are respectable ways to give back to veterans.
Leave a Reply