Helping homeless veterans is a way to show your appreciation.Whether you are an individual or an organization, you can help the homeless veterans.Donate food, clothing or your professional services to veterans if you are an individual.If you work with the VA, you can hire homeless veterans or provide affordable housing.
Step 1: Find a shelter for homeless people.
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs have websites where you can find homeless shelters.You can enter your zip code in the search engine.There is a list of shelters near you.Shelters can be found by calling 1-800-VET-HELP.
Step 2: Personal care items can be donated.
Donate clean shirts, pants, jackets, sweaters, scarves, and suits.There are always personal care items needed at homeless shelters.Only new and unused personal care items can be donated.These are great donations because homeless veterans need personal care items the most.
Step 3: Donations of nonperishable food items are appreciated.
canned goods and pre-packaged foods with a clear expiration date are nonperishable food items.Donate canned goods such as vegetables, fruits, and tuna.Donate boxed foods like ramen and macaroni and cheese.Food donations are a great way to support your local homeless shelter because they need to replenish their pantry on a daily basis.
Step 4: If you don't have food or clothes to give, you can give money.
Donate money to your local homeless shelter or charity by writing a check.Money donations allow shelters and charities to give homeless veterans clothing, food, and personal items when they run out.
Step 5: If you have a homeless shelter, offer it.
There are volunteer positions at homeless shelters.Help with clothing, food, and personal items.You can help out at shelters.You can ask about volunteer opportunities at a homeless shelter.If you have a skill like drawing or writing, you might be able to offer something at the shelter.
Step 6: Your local homeless shelter should be promoted.
Contact schools, business groups, and churches to raise funds for the drive.You can help promote the homeless shelter by handing out fliers.You can help promote the shelter in your area by calling and asking.
Step 7: There are Stand Down events.
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans has a website where you can find out about Stand Down events.Stand Downs can be found in different states in the U.S. on the website.To find out more about an upcoming event, call the contact person.Stand Down events provide homeless veterans with food, clothing, healthcare services, personal hygiene, housing and employment referrals, and benefits counseling.
Step 8: Become a mentor to homeless veterans.
Many homeless veterans need help with basic life skills.If you want to find out what kind of mentoring programs are available, contact a homeless shelter or charity.
Step 9: If you work as a counselor, you should provide mental health services.
If you are a licensed mental health professional, you can help homeless veterans.You can volunteer at a VA hospital.You can find VA medical centers and hospitals on the website of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
Step 10: If you're a lawyer, you should offer legal services.
Many homeless veterans need help applying for benefits.At a local homeless shelter or charity in your area, you can volunteer your legal services for free or at a low cost.
Step 11: If you are an employer, you should hire a veteran.
Veterans need jobs to get out of homelessness.If you are an employer, you can give homeless veterans job training.You can work with the VA to find entry and mid-level jobs for veterans.
Step 12: If you're a landlord, you should provide affordable housing.
Setting aside a percentage of housing units for low-income veterans is possible as a landlord.HUD-VASH vouchers can be used as payment for rent if you agree to partner with the VA.If you provide homeless veterans with affordable housing in your city or state, you may be able to receive tax benefits.
Step 13: If you manage the organization, conduct a company drive.
There is a local homeless veterans shelter.Let them know that your company would like to organize a drive to collect items for homeless veterans.Contacts and promotional materials will be provided by the shelter or charity to facilitate the drive.Hosting drives for homeless veterans is a great way to get positive media coverage as a socially responsible company.