Oahu and Kauai are two of 28 locations around the country chosen to participate in a new campaign to help homeless veterans.
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has set a goal: eliminate homelessness among the nation’s veteran population by 2015.
A campaign kickoff event was held on Oahu Monday and Kauai Friday to generate community support for the new initiative, which the VA hopes will be more cohesive and integrated than past efforts.
"No veteran should be living on the streets without care or hope," said Michael Cardarelli, principal deputy undersecretary for benefits.
James Hastings, director of the Pacific Islands Health Care System, knows firsthand that building new programs in Hawaii can be difficult, but said, "This is moving along, I think, very fast."
In a Jan. 25 count of Oahu’s homeless population, 332 people were found to be veterans, 185 "sheltered" and 147 "unsheltered."
Cardarelli and Hastings have both heard from people who don’t think the problem can be solved by 2015, because as long as the country has a military, it’s going to be generating veterans. Hastings admitted that might be true, but said the key is establishing programs that offer veterans more supportive environments when they return.
"I think that’s what we’re going to have, and that’s what we’re building in Hawaii," he said.
For today’s veterans, shifting back into mainstream society can be challenging even under the best circumstances, Cardarelli said. They face post-traumatic stress and anxiety disorders, mental health issues, financial strain and substance abuse.
Martin Coleman found himself in a similar position. He returned home to Chicago after serving in the Army from 1984 to 1988. His friends were all married and he couldn’t find a job, so he decided to move to Hawaii, where he had previously completed some training.
Coleman said not having bills to pay or anyone to answer to might seem appealing, but instead he said he just slipped through the cracks.
"It sucks," the 55-year-old said. "You just become a number, (and) once you get there it’s hard to get out."
A large part of the new outreach campaign is focused on advertising the VA’s toll-free hot line, 877-424-3838.
Nationwide, people will soon hear public service announcements and see billboards asking them to "make the call " for a friend, loved one or anyone they know who is a homeless veteran. Calling the number can put a veteran in contact with any housing and other supportive and prevention services available to him or her.
