TRANFORMATION STORIES
Samuel - Veterans
“Coming to the Weingart Center saved my life,” said Samuel.
Veterans
Veterans make up approximately one-third of the adult homeless population. Having served in the country’s armed forces is not typically the main contributor to becoming homeless, however. Most homeless veterans come from poor, disadvantaged backgrounds, and when they return from service, they often face high housing costs, lack of civilian jobs and a lack of family support. Plus, veteran benefits don’t always kick in immediately when military benefits end.*
Almost all homeless veterans are male (97%), about 45% suffer from mental illness and (with considerable overlap) slightly more than 70% suffer from alcohol or other drug abuse problems. Veterans who have served in war conflict have a whole host of additional challenges to deal with including severe psychological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and health problems resulting from exposure to Agent Orange, Persian Gulf Syndrome and physical dismemberment. The number of homeless male and female Vietnam era veterans is now greater than the number of service persons who died during that war, and there is a growing number of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan becoming homeless.*
The Weingart Center Association offers the Veterans program for homeless and near homeless veterans. This program has structured phase levels and promotes productive, progressive motivation and instruction to help participants find permanent housing, secure a stable income and address the unique challenges that veterans face, including but not limited to mental illness, physical illness, and substance abuse. Participants in the Veterans program can stay in the program for up to two years and receive the following:
- Transitional housing
- Nutritious meals
- Case management
- Access to remedial educational instruction through the Emerge computer lab
- Job preparedness & placement assistance
- Clothing assistance
- Relapse prevention groups
- Mail drop & voice mail
- Veteran’s services referrals
- On-site savings program
- Referrals for services such as: vision, medical, & dental, NA/AA/CA meetings, etc
- Long-term case management
- Transitional planning
- Life skills groups
- And more…
Basic Necessities
We provide basic necessities — transitional housing, meals, clothing, laundry and toiletries, and even voicemail and mail drop — so our participants can transform their lives and focus on their future goals.
On-Site Savings Plan
Participants are required to save 75% of their income (from employment, benefits or public/military assistance) for use when transitioning into permanent housing and living on their own.
In Partnership
Our Veterans program operates in partnership with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
*Statistics and other information from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
