From the Front Lines to the Streets: Homeless Veterans and How to Help
A flood of flying bullets. An earthquake of missiles and sounds. You look to your left and see your comrade, fighting by your side. You look ahead and see the enemy, the one you’ve been told is fighting against your freedom. You bravely, with a little bit of fear in the back of your mind, take up arms and continue to fight like you always have. Loud crashes and snare-drum gunshots persist.
You wake up. You’re on the street in your hometown, alone.
This is a glimpse into what it’s like to be a homeless veteran. Suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a nightmare on its own; now imagine doing it alone, cold and hungry.
In 2021, there are an estimated 40,000 homeless veterans on the street, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. The number one reason that veterans experience homelessness is PTSD. These statistics are heartbreaking. The very people that fought to keep the nation’s streets open are now finding them the only place to live. Many loved ones have fought for the freedom of America; they should not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.
There are many great organizations that help get as many homeless veterans as possible off the street, and you can get plugged in to help today. For more resources on how to help homeless veterans and many others, visit https://www.ts4hope.com/resource-guides. Click on the Veterans Crisis Line tab if you are a veteran, or if you know one in need of assistance.
There are many facets to homelessness, and it is our goal to make all of them known as well as provide help for each one. We believe that all homeless people deserve to be taken care of and to get the help they need, and we want you to be a part of that in any way that you feel possible.
Written by: Justin Bower
