Noteboom The Law Firm

Veteran Support Group Helping Homeless Florida Veterans

December 8, 2010 - The amount of homeless veterans across the United States is nothing new. The increasing rate at which young veterans are becoming homeless has also been widely reported. What is new is how various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and advocacy programs are attempting to combat homelessness among veterans. VA Sec. Eric Shinseki has made it a VA goal to end homelessness among veterans, and in order to do so, it is going to take the efforts of the proverbial village.

With many veterans unable to find work around Florida, many are ending up homeless. Many of these veterans have taken to living in various wooded areas around the state. Some continue to look for work, and some take classes at community colleges to give them a better chance of finding a job.

The National Veterans Homeless Support advocacy group is attempting to help the approximately 700 homeless veterans in Brevard County; up from approximately 600 last year. The group is sponsoring their second annual "Warm, Full, Safe for Christmas" program. This event will provide local homeless veterans with a 2 night stay in a local hotel.

In addition to being given beds, showers, and meals, the group will supply these homeless veterans with:

• Clothing;
• Sleeping bags;
• Tents; and
• Basic supplies and necessities.

Their fundraising efforts have provided them with enough money to provide these services to 20 veterans. Most veterans see this as a mini-vacation and are grateful knowing there are people out there caring enough about them to offer help in the first place.