I grew up reading comic books wanting to be a superhero. Comics taught me that those who speak the truth are heroes, all the rest are liars.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

How We Honor Minnesota Veterans?

Veterans account for nearly one-third of all homeless men in America, even though the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says they comprise only 13 percent of adult males in the general population.

Veterans are twice as likely as other people to be chronically homeless... One in five of those who live at or below the poverty line are veterans or widows of veterans.

In addition to the complex set of factors affecting all homelessness … extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income, and access to health care … a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse, compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.

Minnesota FACT: 42 funded beds for 1,961 homeless Minnesotan Veterans!

What can you do?

Determine the need in your community. Visit with homeless veteran providers. Contact your local mayor’s office for a list of providers.

Involve others. If you are not already part of an organization, pull together a few people who might be interested in attacking this issue.

Participate in local homeless coalitions. Chances are there is one in your community. If not, this may be the time to start bringing people together around this critical need.

Send a financial donation to your local homeless veteran provider.

Contact your elected officials, and discuss what is being done in your community for homeless veterans

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