While attending the NHRA Winternationals in February in Pomona, CA., I had the pleasure of meeting the Founder of The Vet Hunters Project, Joe Leal. Let me back this up first.
I got to the track and went to Terry McMillen's pit to drop off a 9 foot Sandwich I got from Gene's Grinder in Monrovia CA for Terry's team. As I was there, I had called Jim Walczak, Publicist for Terry McMillen Racing, to let him know I was there and he told me that him, Terry and Cori were with the Vet Hunters bringing Homeless Veterans to the track to watch the NHRA Winternationals compliments of Terry McMillen Racing. I thought to myself, that is so awesome that Terry would go out of his way to help our US Veterans, and treat them to fun filled day at an NHRA Event. Not only did he he treat them with tickets, Terry gave them the tour behind the scenes in his pit, and treated them to lunch at the Amalie Hospitality area. I talked to those that Terry brought in and they were so full of excitement and so excited to be at the races. I could see it in their eyes and feel it in my heart.
Cori introduced me to Mellanie and Joe Leal. They told me all about the Vet Hunters Project, how they got started and how they have helped so many Homeless Veterans and getting them back on track in today's world. This is such a great organization, with great people who care so much for these homeless Veterans, that they spend most of there lives in devoting their time to finding and nurturing our Veterans. I have kept in contact with Mell and she shared a lot more since then. Below is an insert from an email she wrote me:
"Tonight, our team is taking off on a local Vet Hunt. We've been overwhelmingly busy with phone calls all week. On Monday, we landed at LAX at 1:00am, were home by 5:00am and had 6 soldiers needing help by 11:00 am. On Wednesday, alone, we provided aid to 7 soldiers, bringing this week's total, thus far, to 23 soldiers who were provided housing or services. We're happy to prevent any bad situation we can, but our souls are fueled by the heroes we know are missing on the streets. Just the other day we found an encampment in Norwalk on our way to help an Iraq Vet. We provided all the relief we had on hand, but gave our word that we'd be back. In true Vet Hunter fashion, we're going to burn the midnight oil as long as it takes tonight to visit not only that location, but several others we've visited in the past couple of weeks. We'll be distributing a wealth of resources that were donated to us by NBC Universal's Incredible Veteran's Network. They recently conducted a "Goodsraiser" and the response was overwhelming. We're so excited that tonight we'll be filling the specific requests of the Americans we've met in our daily travels."
I am just overwhelmed with all that The Vet Hunters Project does with helping our Veterans. They actually go out, search and find these Homeless Vets that have no where to turn, and take them in to help turn them around. Simply AMAZING and I want you all to help spread the word.
Below is more information about "The Vet Hunters Project" I hope you will find it in your hearts to reach out and help such a great cause. There are links on the bottom of the page to Like, Follow, and learn more.
The Vet Hunters Project
Advocacy for Homeless Heroes
A History
The very first Vet Hunt occurred when founder, Joe Leal, encountered a Silver Star recipient, living a homeless life in the streets. The disbelief, that one of our most valiant soldiers was forgotten and lost to the world, was enough to instill the motivation needed to make a change. Since that day, Joe has dedicated every moment of his life to finding and helping our homeless Veterans. His insatiable drive and ardent belief system has infected a remarkable group of individuals and organizations, who are now working together to become the solution to this epidemic.
Silver Star Recipient, Charles Puleo, is the first of many whose life has changed from The Vet Hunters’ advocacy efforts. Having survived the loss of his entire family (wife and children) in a tragic accident, Charles had fallen into a life of total despair, with no hope of recovering. His story remains one of the most challenging Vet Hunts on record; however, he is now also one of the greatest success stories. Charles, who is also a “one hit wonder” in the world of Rock-n-Roll, is back to being healthy and working as a full-time musician in Long Beach, California. Where he had been unable to even pick-up a guitar for years, he now plays his music every weekend for a crowd of regular fans.
Vet Hunters’ teams of Active-Duty and Veteran Soldiers, are vastly trusted by the displaced heroes we encounter and serve. Our system of Vets helping Vets is successful in empathetic ways that other organizations are incapable of replicating; making this the compassionate change our homeless heroes have been waiting for. From the very first soldier assisted, each has proudly sworn an oath to “pay it forward” by doing their part and helping another fellow service member in need. Thus begins, The Vet Hunters Project movement.
The Vet Hunters Project
Advocacy for Homeless Heroes
The Vet Hunters Project originated from one soldier’s incontrovertible belief that there is no respectable way to desert a Veteran, of the United States Armed Forces, on the streets that they bravely responded to protect. What initially began as a fervent grassroots effort, to be the solution to an expanding homeless crisis, has evolved into a nationwide movement for change. Today, The Vet Hunters Project is well-known for being an organization devoted to executing immediate, collaborative actions that prevent and eliminate homelessness for all Veterans.
In the first year of inception, over 100 homeless Veterans, including Silver Star and Purple Heart recipients, have been touched by The Vet Hunters Project. Where shelter is not available, we provide relief in the forms of blankets, tents, weather proof gear, food, clothing and first-aid. Our Street Teams are never without supplies for distribution to every individual in need. No one is ever left behind or forgotten.
This project will not terminate until every returning soldier has truly come home.
The Vet Hunters Project
Past Present Future
The Vet Hunters Project is a Veteran’s Service Organization devoted to implementing immediate, collaborative solutions that prevent and eliminate homelessness.
During the first year of inception, hundreds of Veterans were assisted by this Project all over the United States. The development of effective outreach and “Vetworking” will continue to increase in intensity until the homelessness epidemic is protracted and ultimately ended.
The Past:
The Vet Hunters Project is a grassroots movement that was started by one Soldier who vowed to honor his Fallen Comrades, by serving the living and leaving no Soldier behind.
Excavations in the streets initiated and “Vet Hunting” was born.
A small team individually began to find homeless Veterans and assist them in getting connected to resources available.
Vet Hunters arrange and complete a 1900 mile bicycle ride to St. Louis, finding and helping homeless Veterans in every City visited.
Hundreds of Veterans and Homeless receive access to: housing and financial resources, Veteran benefits, food, medical supplies, clothing, blankets, compassion and understanding.
The Present:
Daily Vet Hunts:
o Identifying and documenting encampments and tenants
o Establishing counts of Veterans and Homeless
o Implementing individual action for those we find and help (Every situation is different. Through trust building we learn what the best solutions are for each individual person.)
o Delivering basic resources consistently: Vet Hunters return weekly to drop off food, clothing, blankets and any extra supplies acquired.
Continued Vetworking within the entire community of Veteran Service Organization and Homeless Coalition Partners.
Active organization of Stand Down Events across multiple cities
o 1st San Gabriel Valley Stand Down
o Pomona Homeless Connect
o Tzu Chi Thanksgiving Day Stand Down
The Future:
New Partnerships and Efforts to Come:
o San Gabriel Valley Police Departments are designating Officers to learn how to “Vet Hunt”. This Project will facilitate training on how to locate and effectively assist individuals experiencing homelessness.
o San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department: Homeless Outreach Team has partnered with Vet Hunters to deliver resources and solutions to the homeless in their community. The Vet Hunters will provide direct assistance to identified Veterans, to begin their benefits process with the Veterans’ Administration.
o Increased frequency of Stand Down Events:
Events currently in development for February 2012, March 2012, May 2012, October 2012 and November 2012.
The Vet Hunters Project
H.O.S.T.
Homeless Outreach Street Team
The Vet Hunters Project is a Veteran’s Service Organization devoted to implementing immediate, collaborative solutions that prevent and eliminate homelessness.
“The Vet Hunters Project – H.O.S.T.”, is being called to formation as a response to the increasing number of homeless and homeless encampments that are developing across the United States. The purpose is to compassionately address the myriad of socioeconomic issues that restrain homeless citizens. We develop relationships with local resources, homeless service providers and advocacy groups, whose common goal is to help the homeless transition out of encampments and into permanent sustainable housing.
The Challenge:
Since 2009, Chronic-Homelessness has risen 19% throughout Los Angeles County.
Female Veteran homelessness has risen a staggering 51% since 2009.
Male Veteran homelessness has risen by 22% since 2009, due in large to Iraq/Afghanistan Vets becoming homeless at a higher rate than the Vietnam Veteran.
Los Angeles County identifies Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans as High-Risk for chronic homelessness.
The plight will continue to worsen with 100,000+ Soldiers, currently serving in Iraq/Afghanistan, scheduled to be coming home.
The Goals:
Provide Officers with options that will enable them to become part of the solution to ending homelessness.
Conduct training sessions and review local resources to teach Officers how to effectively work with the expanding homeless community.
Action through collaboration to decrease and/or eliminate:
o Innumerable unresolved citations issued for activities related to homelessness
o Outstanding warrants stemming from unresolved homeless infractions
o Calls for service pertaining to homeless activity
o Negative and uncooperative relationships with the homeless community
o The unavailability of demographical data
Homeless Outreach Teams in the U.S.A.
Across the United States, various organizations and law enforcement departments have formed Homeless Outreach Teams, as a response to the rapid growth of the homeless community. Who’s taking action?
San Diego, California
Grand Junction, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Miami Beach, Florida
Missoula, Montana
And more…
The Vet Hunters Project Facebook Site
The Vet Hunters Project Web Site
The Veteran Hunters Project YouTube
