We're kicking off our 4^th Annual 12 Vets of Christmas campaign to raise the needed funds for the 1,000+ homeless and near-homeless veterans who will turn to HVAF in 2023.

Daily, from Tuesday, December 20th to Saturday, December 31st, we'll feature one veteran and share how their life was positively changed through HVAF's programs and services. And this year, we are taking things up a notch and using this crowdfunding platform to raise more funds than ever before!

We'll be featuring veterans who were homeless one day and in a warm safe place the next, went from joblessness to a new career, or went from hopelessness to having newfound hope. Of course, only made possible because of the generosity of individuals like you!

These are just 12 of the 1,200+ veterans provided life-changing services this year.

1,200+ veterans in need who were positively impacted because of the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations who believe that no hero should ever be homeless. Individuals, corporations, and foundations LIKE YOU!

While following along with each veteran’s story, we hope you will feel inspired to join in the campaign and make a year-end tax-deductible donation. All funding received throughout this campaign will be used to help veterans in need of a helping hand next year.

Your tax-deductible donation WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Together, we can fulfill our crucial mission to house, support, and advocate for all veterans and their families to help them achieve the best possible quality of life!

If you are not able to make a financial donation, then we hope you will spread the love by commenting on this page and sharing the campaign link on your social media platform to generate support and awareness.

Let’s celebrate these 12 vets by making this the best 12 Vets of Christmas ever!

Happy Holidays!

FIRST VET OF CHRISTMAS: PAUL

Third time’s a charm
They say third time’s a charm and that’s the case for Army Veteran Paul.

The first two times Paul came to HVAF, he lived in transitional housing. Now, since 2021, Paul lives at one of HVAF’s Permanent Supportive Housing units: Veterans Villa.

HVAF has made sure to provide food and clothing for Paul. His case manager is helping him get to the root of his problems so he can live a happier life.

“He was rather depressed when he came. He was sullen, angry, and had a lot of struggles,” Paul’s case manager, April, said. “Now that he’s here, he understands he’s accepted completely for who he is.”

Improving his life
Because he’s more comfortable at Veterans Villa, April said Paul has opened up more about his problems and wants to work on ways to help himself. She said you might not see the changes overnight, or even in a few months, but over time you will see drastic improvements. And it’s a beautiful thing for her to see those changes.

Paul works nights, delivering the IndyStar newspapers to homes, and is happy to have a safe place to retreat to when he is done with work. He also likes to spend time with his fellow veteran residents, and April.

“I’m still suffering with issues, but I’m doing the best I can to do away with those issues,” Paul said. “Nobody’s perfect but April has been helping me humongously (sic).”

Next steps
April said the next steps for Paul is to help him find inpatient care so he can maintain sobriety and get back to some of his hobbies, which includes music and writing.

“He’s got a lot of strengths that we can bring out. So I envision him being instrumental in this community of helping other veterans re-find their voice and their creativity and their joy for life,” April said. “I see him being here for hopefully for a very long time and being happy and living life to the fullest.”

WATCH PAUL'S STORY BELOW:

SECOND VET OF CHRISTMAS: TANISHA

Homeschool life

School is in session at HVAF’s Carson Apartments!

Every day, in one of HVAF’s Permanent Supportive Housing units, Army veteran Tanisha is homeschooling her three children.

“They’re on a website called Time4Learning. I can go on there, I can monitor everything they’re doing,” Tanisha said. “I can assign their assignments and pretty much from there, they know what to do. They know how to work their computers and everything.”

A heart for adoption

While Tanisha’s oldest is her biological daughter, her two youngest – one boy and one girl – are adopted. Growing up, Tanisha always knew she wanted to adopt.

“I’ve always had a heart for kids,” Tanisha said. “When I was younger I would think I want kids but I want to adopt as well.”

A few years ago, she adopted her two children from her cousin – so she is happy that they are also in her bloodline.

Finding Carson

Tanisha and her three kids have lived at Carson Apartments since last fall. In August 2021, the owner of the house they rented decided to sell the place. She needed to find a home for the four of them quickly.

HVAF had helped Tanisha with utility assistance a few years ago, so she knew she could call for help again. Sure enough, there had been a unit at Carson available. And it was perfect timing, as several others called about the open unit the same day after she called!

HVAF’s Housing Property Manager Will allowed her to visit the place the following weekend, and she knew immediately it would work for her family.

“It’s been great. The neighborhood is very quiet. And everybody is here is friendly,” Tanisha said. “It’s just home.”

Tanisha said it means the world to her that she can have a safe place for her children to eat, sleep, and learn.

“It’s something that they’ve never really had – especially my younger two. It’s the stability as well as them being in a loving, caring home,” Tanisha said. “And they don’t have to worry about being kicked out on the streets.”

WATCH TANISHA'S STORY BELOW:

THIRD VET OF CHRISTMAS: BRUCE

For two years, Marine Corps veteran Bruce has called HVAF’s Permanent Supportive Housing his home. He lives at Veterans Villa, where his case manager has helped him get a new ID and veteran benefits.

“They’re a big help to me,” Bruce said.

His case manager, April, says Bruce is a pillar at Veterans Villa. He starts his day making coffee in the community room, followed by organizing the food pantry, sorting the mail, and jumping in to help wherever needed.

“Bruce is dependable and resourceful. He serves his fellow warriors with pride and with love, with a watchful eye,” April said. “Bruce is our hero, and we would not be able to serve our residents with the care we do without his vigilant care.”

A fun fact about Bruce is that he is an artist! He says creating art and serving in the military run in his family. He grew up at his local VFW post because his mom worked there, and he heard lots of WWI and WWII stories. Bruce enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1975, and served for five years.

As a way to honor his fellow veterans, he has spent the last 1.5 years creating a beautiful mural. It hangs in Veterans Villa’s community room for all to see. It features the Battle of Iwo Jima, as well as the late Colin Powell.

“This is dedicated to all of the veterans and heroes.”

CHECK OUT BRUCE'S MURAL:

FOURTH VET OF CHRISTMAS: LANITA

HVAF’s mission is to provide, hope, housing, and self-sufficiency for all veterans. And that is exactly what Army veteran Lanita is experiencing living at one of HVAF’s temporary housing units.

Serving in the Army

In the 1980’s, you could find Lanita working as a dental hygienist. One year, as she watched the Super Bowl, she kept seeing an advertisement about joining the Army. Because of that ad, she felt led to join and serve her country.

“The Army taught me I could go through anything and make it,” Lanita said. “No matter what it is.”

HVAF saved the day

Fast forward to fall 2021, Lanita lived in Muncie but needed to move. She couldn’t live safely in her home anymore, with the walls fallen out, black mold, and lots of other issues.

“When the health department came, they coded the whole place,” Lanita said.” They told me I was really lucky to be alive.”

With three weeks to move, Lanita felt stressed. She quickly moved her things to live with her daughter in Carmel, but wanted her own place as she got back on her feet. One day, HVAF called to let her know they had an apartment available for her.

Living at HVAF

For the last several months, Lanita has lived at HVAF’s Manchester Apartments.

“I love my apartment. And I love my bathroom,” Lanita said. “I had a gift from my secret sister at church. She knows I love Paris. And so, she had bought me a whole Parisian theme for my bathroom. The curtains have the Eiffel tower – and the toilet and the rugs all have Paris on it.”

A few months ago, she tested positive for COVID-19 but felt thankful HVAF’s case managers were there to take care of her. She is also thankful for the food pantry.

“All of the volunteers and the staff here at HVAF – I have not seen one bad person,” Lanita said. “They have all been very helpful.”

WATCH LANITA'S STORY:

FIFTH VET OF CHRISTMAS: TIMOTHY

Military aftermath

“Life was hard when I first got out of the military, because I had to go to the Persian Gulf. I had to see and do some things that were not really conducive to my well-being. It was pretty difficult. Being a young man, I couldn’t put my pride to the side to get the proper help that I needed. So it was rough.”

After serving in the Marine Corps and Navy, Timothy found himself in and out of prison from 1993-2022. His last time in prison, from 2016-2022, he joined the Putnamville Correctional Facility’s American Legion post. There, they told him about HVAF – and he made plans with case managers to come to live at one of the organization’s transitional houses.

In January 2022, the prison dropped him off at Warman Houses. In May, he moved into his own apartment and now works full time.

He gives thanks to his case manager, Jaulane, and his employment specialist, Lisa. He really appreciated all of the connections Lisa made for him.

“Lisa is special. I would call her with different little issues,” Timothy said. “She knows how to network. I’ve never dealt with anyone like her.”

Lisa said Timothy had great communication and they were able to build a relationship that was full of respect for one another.

“He’s accomplished a lot,” Lisa said. “He was also very determined.”

Five months later…

Timothy now lives at Lincoln Apartments – a place that houses 75 of Indianapolis’ formerly homeless veterans. He also works as an independent contractor for DCS through the L.A.S.E.R. Project – which stands for Literacy, Arts, Skills, Empowerment, and Recreation. The L.A.S.E.R. Project is a youth and family service organization that supports individuals in and around Indianapolis.

Timothy mentors troubled youth in Indianapolis. He knows the decisions he made earlier in life lead to almost 30 years in and out of prison, and he hopes these kids can learn from him, so they do not go down the same road.

“I try to pay back the blessings that God has shown me through working with these kids,” Timothy said. “I teach them about what I’ve been through, what I’ve seen, what I’ve done. And I think it motivates them. In a perfect world, you could save them all. But right now, I’m just hoping for one or two a week. If I can do that, I’m happy.”

Timothy is so thankful for the smooth transition HVAF provided for him from prison to transitional housing, and now from transitional housing to his own place and a career that he loves.

“I know 100% for a fact that it is hands down an organization that really, really supports the veterans,” Timothy said. “There is no way you could reach out to HVAF and say you didn’t get the help you needed. There is a team in place to help you from A-Z.”

WATCH TIMOTHY'S STORY:

SIXTH VET OF CHRISTMAS: MICHAEL

A 30-year battle

For 30 years, Navy veteran Michael battled with alcoholism.

“Back in the military, my alcoholism was really just starting. I actually enjoyed the military and it was a good time f

12 VETS OF CHRISTMAS 2022

12 veterans who have a better life because of YOU! Your donation today will ensure we have the resources to support the veterans in need of a helping hand in 2023.