Nation's veterans get support from local organizations
Many of our nation’s veterans are not receiving the care and support they need. Many suffer from mental illness, untreated post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and other problems. Some are suicidal, unemployed, and more than 150,000 are homeless. Meanwhile, veterans are returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan with serious physical and psychological injuries.
In the Washington region, U.S. VETS helps homeless and at-risk veterans by providing emergency and transitional housing and employment assistance. The group places AmeriCorps members to serve in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia homeless shelters and V.A. medical centers to help coordinate services for homeless veterans. In 2003, its Shelter Plus Care housing units, which are staffed around-the-clock, opened to help formerly homeless veterans in recovery. The program provides case management, sobriety support, and employment and training assistance.
Wishing Well Inc. helps homeless veterans and those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse, PTSD and related disorders by providing support services as well as emergency and transitional housing. Its Operation Warm Hearts program distributes coats, warm clothing, sleeping bags, and information packets to homeless veterans. The Veterans, Forever Soldiers “At-Ease” Service Center provides referrals, workshops, and outreach to connect struggling veterans with helpful services. The Maryland-based organization also welcomes volunteers and donations of food, clothing, household necessities, toiletries, furniture and other essentials.
AMVETS National Service Foundation has been helping veterans readjust to civilian life for more than 50 years. It offers free information, counseling and guidance on education, disability compensation, employment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pension and other benefits for veterans and their family members. AMVETS National Service Officer volunteers are trained in VA benefits, regulations, policies, and procedures and represent veterans and their families before the VA to help ensure that members of the National Guard and Reserves receive the VA benefits they have earned. In 2008, it helped process more than 65,000 claims resulting in more than $400 million in recovered VA benefits. Sales from its thrift stores benefit the organization, which also offers scholarship programs and volunteer opportunities.
For more information, visit:
U.S. VETS (D.C. office)
Stephanie Buckley Nagy
3700 N. Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20317
sbuckley@usvetsinc.org
Wishing Well, Inc.
P.O. Box 104
Hyattsville, MD 20781
info@wishingwelloutreach.org
AMVETS National Service Foundation
P.O. Box 96175
Washington, DC 20090-6175
(800) 810-7148 or (301) 459-6181
