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 for me,” Michael said. “It was my beginning of my alcoholism. It had nothing to do with the military necessarily or my serving, it was just who I was.”

After the military, Michael went to college for a few years. But due to his alcoholism, he ended up dropping out. Since then, he has worked in landscaping. He found lots of success in landscaping – as he even owned his own business. While he had some very productive times, his alcoholism always caught up with him, leading him to go from job to job every three months.

HVAF & recovery

In 2011, Michael came to HVAF to participate in the organization’s former recovery program: REST. At that time, that was his longest period of sobriety. He remembers HVAF’s Peer Mentor, Elayne, who served as the program’s cook at the time. During that time in his life, he said she was the only person who truly treated him like a human being.

“I learned a lot about myself at HVAF,” Michael said. “HVAF was awesome.”

Since December 2019, Michael has been 100% sober. And he has now been able to give back to others struggling with recovery. A few years ago, he lived in a house with other men and noticed they couldn’t find work because of their prior record. He had started a small landscape company and hired on some of those guys so they could have a job.

Rapha Road & Hope Grows

Through mutual friends, he met Kevin – who had a vision to have a house for men working on recovery as well as a landscape business that employed the men.

“He wanted it to be holistic to where the guys can not only get sober in a safe environment but also deal with what’s going on in life, with being able to leave and work,” Michael said. “His vision and what I was trying to do were very parallel and so we met and it was a good fit.”

Michael began working for Rapha Road in 2021 as the designer for the landscape business (Hope Grows) and as well as the house manager for the men living there. After about six months, he learned he didn’t have time to do both, so now he is the full-time manager.

Every morning, Michael wakes up with the men and they have breakfast before heading to work. During the day, Michael spends time doing any chores around the house, works on business plans with Kevin, and has worked on getting certifications. He now has two peer recovery coach certifications – which has lead him to having a second job at Community Hospital in the emergency room. After people detox, he will talk to them about how to make plans for recovery.

Michael enjoys helping the men with anything they need so they can find recovery just like he did.

“Our goal is whenever they leave here, they’re set for life.”

WATCH MICHAEL'S STORY:

SEVENTH VET OF CHRISTMAS: TINIYA

JOINING THE ARMY
Last year, Tiniya found herself homeless with nowhere to go. HVAF was able to place provide her emergency shelter in a hotel for a few weeks before placing her in transitional housing. Now, she's living self-sufficiently in a house with her grandson and working toward a new career with the support of HVAF.

HVAF’s help

“HVAF had a hotel ready, and I stayed there for about three weeks. Then I moved over to (HVAF’s Transitional Housing apartments) Manchester and I stayed over there for about three months,” Tiniya said. “Then, they got a house for me.”

As the largest nonprofit provider for veterans in the state, HVAF is proud to offer wrap-around services for veterans like Tiniya. Not only did she receive housing assistance – but she also has a case manager to rely on and is going through the Workforce Development’s VetWorks program.

She has loved working with her housing case manager, Bobby, or who she refers to as her “ace boon coon.”

“He’s cool. He checks on me regularly,” Tiniya said. “If I call him and I tell him what the situation is he makes sure everything is A-OK.”

Career goals

VetWorks – Veterans Workforce Renewing Knowledge and Skills – is an intensive 3 phase work, learn and earn program designed to skill up our veterans to achieve their earning potential. Veterans complete on-the-job training, have access to education/certifications and receive assistance with obtaining a good and promising job.

Tiniya started in the VetWorks program last summer and first received training in the pantry and IT department. Working with IT Coordinator Dewayne, she said he serves as a mentor for her. She has graduated Phase 1 and is in Phase 2 as she is going to school for cyber security. Next is Phase Three where HVAF’s Employment Specialists will place her in a long lasting career.

A huge goal in Tiniya’s life is to earn a degree and for her children to be proud of her. HVAF is happy to do ALL of that for her.

“It’s unbelievable. I get emotional at times because I didn’t know there were resources out here like this,” Tiniya said. “This program is just outstanding.”

WATCH TINIYA'S STORY:

EIGHTH VET OF CHRISTMAS: JOE

A tough few years

A few years ago, Army veteran Joe moved from southern Indiana to Indianapolis so he could live closer to the VA Hospital. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Joe got laid off. He found another job but faced an additional hurdle when getting a hernia. His health issues led to Joe losing his job AND home – with nowhere to live.

After going to Wheeler Mission for help, they pointed him to HVAF for further assistance.

“HVAF gives you a chance to stand up on your own two feet again,” Joe said. “You couldn’t ask for a better place.”

Not even a few weeks later, his case manager, Bobby, called him and said he found Joe a home! Since May 2021, Joe has lived at NeighborCare of Chapel Hill, a senior living community in Indianapolis.

Joe at NeighborCare

“I love it,” Joe said. “There are a lot of fun things to do and a lot of great people.”

Bobby said he enjoyed working with him, as Joe made it super easy for him to help. As a fellow Army veteran, Bobby and Joe got along great!

“I tend to build relationships with the veterans because I’m a veteran myself,” Bobby said. “I have the ideology in my mind that I owe them because they paved the way for my career in the military to go the way it had. Anything I can do for those that served before me is my privilege.”

NeighborCare has housed HVAF’s senior veterans for many years now. The partnership has led to them becoming a monetary supporter, including being a sponsor for HVAF’s annual fundraiser – Operation Alpha.

“I think this is a great partnership with NeighborCare,” Bobby said. “They’re big supporters of us and do anything they can to help us house veterans.”

A new career

Joe not only lives at NeighborCare, but he also now works there. First hired on as a painter, he said he does a little bit of everything for the housekeeping team.

“We have a lot of people here who are elderly and some of them need help,” Joe said. “It don’t bother me, I love to help people. And if I can put a smile on someone’s face, it just makes my day.”

His supervisor, Director of Maintenance Jeremy Spence, said he is thankful to have Joe on his team.

“There’s not a lot I have to ask of him,” Jeremy said. “You couldn’t ask for a better person.”

When you come to NeighborCare, you will see Joe walking around and saying hello to all of the residents and staff members – being on a first name basis with everyone. He hasn’t had family since 2008, but now says he finally has a family again.

“This is the perfect place for me.”

WATCH JOE'S STORY:

NINTH VET OF CHRISTMAS: BRIANCA

Starting over

After living in Texas for a few years, Marine Corps veteran Brianca moved back to her home state of Indiana. She had to start over but needed help with how to move forward.

That’s where HVAF came in.

Housing First

Following the housing first model, HVAF worked hard to find a suitable apartment for Brianca. Now that she has her own furnished apartment, she can focus on all her other needs. Brianca got connected with HVAF’s Employment Team, where they helped her find a job. She also had the opportunity to take the Employment Team’s financial literacy course, which will help her professionally and personally.

Her case managers have helped her learn how to budget and stay within a budget.

“I’m watching every dime,” Brianca said. “Now that I have all the pieces together, my case manager, Sarah, is helping me sustain these things.”

Next steps

The next steps for Brianca include finding a job that provides health insurance, enrolling in college courses, and continuing to budget. Sarah says Brianca has been a rockstar at applying for jobs and having a list of criteria so the position can meet her basic needs.

“She just seems to have boundless energy. And was really open to learning and wanting to do this correctly,” Sarah said. “She has just been a dream to work with, there has not been a lot of me having to motivate her to do anything. That’s been very nice.”

Brianca has dreams of building and owning her own businesses – one that includes providing more opportunities for the homeless. She is so thankful for HVAF’s case managers who are helping her achieve her dreams, one step at a time.

“I’m just really grateful for HVAF. Not even trying to be cliché but they are making a big difference in the community.”

WATCH BRIANCA'S STORY:

TENTHTH VET OF CHRISTMAS: BRENT

Last summer, while on the road to recovery, Army veteran Brent needed assistance with employment. While living at the Domiciliary, his case manager pointed him to HVAF’s Workforce Development.

What is VetWorks?

HVAF’s Workforce Development team started its VetWorks program last year.

VetWorks – Veterans Workforce Renewing Knowledge and Skills – is an intensive three-phase work, learn and earn program designed to skill up our veterans to achieve their earning potential. Veterans will complete on-the-job training, have access to education/certifications and receive assistance with obtaining a good and promising job.

VetWorks & Downtown Indy, Inc.

HVAF partners with Downtown Indy, Inc. as it provides internship opportunities in the first phase of the program. Brent is the first VetWorks participant to start and complete his internship at Downtown Indy, Inc.

“I am solely responsible for phase one at the Downtown Indy placement. Within phase one, veterans are placed in an internship either at HVAF or Downtown Indy,” VetWorks Employment Specialist Cole said. “Throughout that internship, the whole goal is to build essential soft skills, work on their resume, work on building their confidence in financial literacy, interview prep, and more.”

VetWorks’ interns serve as a street ambassador throughout the downtown Indy area. In this job, they are responsible for cleaning sidewalks, picking up trash, and acting as an ambassador to those visiting downtown.

Brent & VetWorks

Brent completed phase one in the fall, received a forklift certification in phase two, and is continuing to work at Downtown Indy, Inc. as he applies for a career in phase three.

“It’s really astounding to see his level of confidence build,” Cole said. “He’s grown into a leader because of being that first VetWorks participant. He’s setting the example for all of the new folks we have coming into the program.”

In addition to furthering in his career, Brent also lives at NeighborCare of Chapel Hill – who also supports HVAF in many ways. He is so thankful for everything HVAF has done for him.

“I couldn’t ask for anymore, really. They’ve done so well – anything I’ve wanted they’ve gotten for me and helped me through all of it,” Brent said. “My life is going so well right now. I’ve got to pinch myself! I hope it keeps going that way.”

WATCH BRENT'S STORY:

ELEVENTH VET OF CHRISTMAS: DARREN

HVAF helping “tremendously”

In 2017, when Marine Corps veteran Darren went through a divorce, he had nowhere to go.

“When I found out that veterans can receive help through word of mouth from other veterans, I decided to go check it out,” Darren said. “From that point, HVAF has helped tremendously.”

HVAF’s housing case managers placed him in transitional housing, and he stayed there until he could find a job and move out on his own. After finding employment, he went back to his family. Things didn’t work out the way he hoped, and he needed housing help again.

Living at Vets Villa

In 2020, Darren moved into HVAF’s Permanent Supportive Housing apartments: Veterans Villa. He is staying in his own apartment until while receiving treatment for his addictions. He wants to achieve full recovery for his kids.

“He’s had a few setbacks, but he’s gotten back on the horse,” April, Darren’s case manager, said. “Since he’s come to Veterans Villa, he’s started to go to treatment which is good. He’s also gotten really involved with his children and becoming the best dad he can be. So, his trajectory looks very promising for him to be in his own home.”

During his time at Veterans Villa, Darren also helps April in the office. She said she can depend on him to be professional and kind in all the tasks given to him

Darren has loved having April as his case manager.

“She has a heart of gold. To be honest with you, I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else,” Darren said. “I wish when I do transition from this place to somewhere else, hopefully on my own, I can take her with me.”

Next steps

The next steps for Darren are to gain full-time employment, find a reliable means of transportation, and continue to spend time with his family. While he lives at Veterans Villa, he spends as much time as he can with his children.

“That’s what I want more than anything – is my family.”

WATCH DARREN'S STORY:

TWELFTH VET OF CHRISTMAS: DARREN

From homeless to hotel

At the end of 2020, Army veteran Nicki was living in her car with nowhere to go. Thankfully, she reconnected with a friend who told her about HVAF.

One of HVAF’s case managers was able to place her in a hotel. But a few weeks later, she received devastating news: breast cancer. Over the next year, Nicki went through three surgeries, 13 weeks of chemotherapy, and five weeks of radiation. During that entire time, HVAF paid for her hotel stay and provided her with the support she needed to stay strong.

Battling breast cancer

“I wish I had never gotten cancer. But if it wasn’t for HVAF I would have been dead,” Nicki said. “No doubt about it. I’m very appreciative and very grateful.”

Nicki is especially thankful for her case manager, Cherelle. She said she doesn’t know what she would do without her.

“Nicki is resilient and strong and committed,” Cherelle said. “Just like her service for our country – she exemplified that in her life.”

Next steps

While going through treatment, Cherelle helped Nicki get her HUD-VASH voucher so she could live in her own apartment. The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In addition to having her own apartment, Nicki is also able to receive food stamps and disability. Her next steps are finding a job and hopefully giving back to HVAF and cancer nonprofit organizations.

WATCH NICKI'S STORY:

12 VETS OF CHRISTMAS 2022

By HVAF OF INDIANA INC

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.