Veteran Homelessness / Topics & Posted Articles

Veterans fighting for survival walk on P.E.I.

Event raising awareness held all across Canada points to disturbing trend of homeless veterans.
A growing number of Canadian veterans have found themselves fighting to survive in their own country.

The disturbing trend of veterans becoming homeless or at-risk also reaches further than many Canadians would like to think, said Eric Payne of Veterans Emergency Transition Services (VETS) Canada this weekend.

“Even here on P.E.I., we’ve helped eight people within the last year-and-a-half that were either at risk or homeless,” Payne said during a rally and walk focusing on the issue this weekend. “With the economic climate we’ve got and the challenges with their pensions being put out… there are delays and waiting periods that can get exceeded, then you’re in a position where you need help.

“We’re here to help”

Payne, the vice president of VETS Canada, led a group of about 25 Islanders in Charlottetown during the first Coast to Coast Tour of Duty; a national walk to raise awareness over the issue of homelessness among veterans.

The goal was to create a visual reminder to residents about the issue while also searching for veterans in crisis.

Jim Lowther, co-founder, CEO and president of VETS Canada, said the walk was in response to a government study released by Employment and Social Development Canada last March.

The study estimated that about 2,250 Canadian veterans used homeless shelters on a regular basis.

“One veteran living on the streets in simply one too many,” said Lowther. “Those who have protected our homes should never be without one. This tour is to encourage dialogue at both the community and national level, and to locate these veterans who need our help. Now is the time to take action.”

Walks were also held in at least 12 other cities, including Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver.

The Charlottetown walk also saw the group visit some of the services and resources for at-risk individuals.

That included stops at Anderson House, The Salvation Army, Bedford MacDonald House and the Upper Room Soup Kitchen.

“We’re trying to raise awareness in the community about the services provided and some of the resources we may use while we assist veterans who are at-risk or homeless back into a stable environment,” said Payne. “This is also about being aware of who else is out there and if someone needs help then we’re here for them.”

VETS Canada is a national charity and service provider with Veterans Affairs Canada that has assisted hundreds of veterans since 2010.

Payne said those who missed the walk but wish to donate to the cause, or know someone in need, can visit: http://vetscanada.org/

http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2016-06-13/article-4557564/Veterans-fighting-for-survival-walk-on-P.E.I./1

Alberta advocates search for homeless veterans, call for action.

Search for homeless veterans and food bank drive has advocates calling for help from federal government.

A group that works to support Canadian veterans hit the streets in cities across the country Saturday, to look for homeless veterans, including in Calgary and Edmonton.

But some say the federal Liberals made promises about veterans while campaigning, that have yet to materialize.

Steve Gilliss, with the Calgary chapter of VETS Canada, says he had hoped to see more support from the Liberals eight months after the election.

The Liberals promised to restore lifelong pensions to injured veterans, but didn't include that in the March budget.

Gilliss says he reached out to Veteran Affairs Minister Kent Hehr's office about attending this weekend's homelessness event, but never heard back.

"You hear that from the vets themselves saying, 'Where is our support?' " Gilliss said.

"You know with this government change, what's happened in the past six months, eight months. Why haven't we seen you follow through on the promises you made on your campaign?"

Some say Alberta veterans have recently been struggling even more, not only for housing, but also for food.

Navy vet Jim Welsh says that's, in part, because donations have recently gone north.

Welsh held an impromptu food drive in Calgary to gather items for the veterans food bank.

The "Stuff this Truck" event is normally held in the week leading up to Remembrance Day.

"With the evacuation of Fort Mac, all the food banks in Calgary pulled together and sent a bunch of product north," Welsh said.

"Two weeks ago I went into the veterans food bank on other business and I walked in the door and the shelves were empty, I mean empty."

In Edmonton, a veterans advocate says it's important to get politicians involved.

Darrell Beaton led a team of volunteers looking for homeless veterans.

"They're the ones that stood up for us," Beaton said. "So we're out here looking for our brothers to give them a hand up."

Beaton, an army retiree, invited local politicians such as MP Randy Boissonnault to join the walk.

"It affects how we look at things through a policy lens," Boissonnault said about meeting veterans in his community.

Boissonnault represents Edmonton Centre where many of the city's homeless shelters are. He described the walk as eye-opening.

Anytime VETS Canada connects with a homeless veteran, its members help that individual find the resources they need to stand on their own again.

Stephen Gallard said he still feels a sense of kinship to others in the military, even though he retired years ago.

He joined VETS Canada to extend that same support to homeless veterans.

"When you're ex-military or retired … and you're on the street with addiction issues or with mental health issues, you won't go up to garrison because it's too embarrassing," Gallard explained.

"People might see you and know you. So this really appealed to me because we meet them where they are," he said.

The federal government estimates there are at least 2,250 homeless veterans in Canada.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-homeless-veteran-search-1.3631401

VETS Canada volunteers searching Edmonton streets for homeless vets.

Volunteers are taking to the streets Saturday afternoon in an attempt to locate and help homeless vets.

Doug Beaton is a volunteer with Veterans Emergency Transition Service (VETS) Canada and says they typically find about five vets on these walks, but they know there are more out there.

“A lot of them are couch surfing, some might be living in their cars or living in the bush,” he says. “Military people have the skill sets to be able to live in the bush and stay to themselves.”

The group did another walk in Edmonton in March where they located 12 to 15 vets, but a veteran in the area, who is not homeless, told VETS Canada volunteers there are as many as 30 living on the streets.

“A lot of them may be suffering from PTSD, anxiety, or other illnesses or they could have substance abuse problems, Beaton said. “Sometimes the substance abuse problems happen when you’re trying to transition [back to civilian life] unfortunately. It’s sad, but that’s just the way it is.”

Anyone can come help Saturday afternoon. The group is meeting at 1:00 at the Mustard Seed Church. This walk coincides with walks in 13 other cities across the country.

http://www.inews880.com/2016/06/11/vets-canada-volunteers-searching-edmonton-streets-for-homeless-vets/

Group looks to help former soldiers living on Fredericton streets.

VETS Canada organized walks in 13 cities across Canada to bring attention to homeless veterans.

A group of veterans walked through downtown Fredericton on Saturday in search of veterans who are living on the streets.

"These are brothers in arms," said Hank Merchant, who served in the military during the 1960s and 1970s.

"These people served as I did and when somebody asks for help, as a brother, you reach out to help them."

Merchant said he has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which prompted him to get involved in the walk.

'Pride gets in the way'

He was one of about 20 people, including out-reach workers and local Members of Parliament, who walked along King Street and Queen Street during the event.

VETS Canada organized walks in 13 cities across the country to bring attention to veterans facing homelessness and other challenges, such as PTSD.

The non-profit charity has a contract with the federal government to provide services for vets living on the streets and in crisis.

The group helps veterans with everything from paying rent to dealing with a mental health crisis, according to J.J. Chiasson, a volunteer with the New Brunswick chapter of VETS Canada and a member of the military.

"It's kind of hard to fathom that there are those that are homeless and sometimes pride gets in the way and they don't seek help," he said. "Sometimes they just need a little hand up and they're fine."

Reaching out to find former soldiers

The group holds monthly walks to speak with people on the streets.

A March 2015 study by Employment and Social Development Canada, obtained by The Canadian Press earlier this year, estimates that 2,250 former soldiers use shelters on regular basis, about 2.7 per cent of the total homeless population that uses temporary lodging.

Chiasson said the group doesn't usually find veterans who are homeless immediately on the walks, as was the case on Saturday.

But the group did come across other people living on the streets who were able to alert them to vets in need of help.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/veterans-homeless-search-fredericton-1.3631011

'Boots on the ground' charity walk for military veterans.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/boots-on-the-ground-charity-walk-for-military-veterans-1.3631072

New force hits Winnipeg streets to find homeless veterans.

A group of volunteers with Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada went door-to-door visiting Winnipeg shelters to find and meet homeless veterans for the first time.
The volunteers tried to connect with veterans who may have slipped through the cracks and raise awareness.
Winnipeg was one of 13 cities participating in a national search for veterans living in homelessness. VETS Canada says if you know a veteran in crisis, or living in poverty, the group wants to know about it.

Homelessness is way of life for veteran Allan Rogan, 65. He signed up for the Canadian armed forces at 15 years of age. Rogan served four years with the Royal Canadian Artillery in Niagara Falls.
He is proud of the time he served, and happy he met with VETS Canada volunteers. Rogan tried to get an apartment for two years, and the past couple weeks he called Siloam Mission home.
"Not everybody is there by choice, okay, they are there by circumstance," said Rogan outside the shelter.
VETS Canada believes there are about 2500 homeless veterans in Canada.
"I get sick to my stomach. It bothers me. If you served your country, you shouldn't be living on the street,” said volunteer Mark Vandersteen
Not every veteran wants help though. One veteran took a pamphlet on resources available to him, but volunteers don't know if he'll reach out in the future.
"It’s pretty heartbreaking. It's difficult to deal with because you want to help them and again they are not being receptive to the difficult situation they are in," said volunteer Major Mathiu Kuhn, who is an active member with the Royal Canadian Armed Forces from outside of Lighthouse Mission on Main Street.
People who would like to report a veteran in need of support can visit VETS Canada’s website or call 1 888-228-3871.

http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/new-force-hits-winnipeg-streets-to-find-homeless-veterans-1.2942034

Recently teens raised funds through games to contribute to veterans program.

Who would figure a group of teens playing various board and outdoor games could help others.

Recently area teens did just that by raising funds contributing to the 'Leave the Streets Behind' program.

St. Joseph Island teen, Kyle Gauthier, along with members of the Teen Night team of coordinators Letitia Bishop and Mary-Ann Boyle, presented a cheque for $500 to Comrade Hugh Hamilton of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 374.

The Second Annual Game-A-Thon was held May 28, whereby teens collected pledges from the community to raise the funds.

In 2012, the Legion established a national homeless veterans program called 'Leave the Streets Behind', based on the groundbreaking work of Ontario Command.

The program’s mission is to reach out to homeless Veterans, or near homeless Veterans, by providing immediate financial assistance and support when and where needed.

It also connects them with the appropriate social and community services to establish a long term solution to meet their needs.

To date, the Leave the Streets Behind program is operated in Ontario, British Columbia/Yukon, Alberta/North West Territories, Nova Scotia/Nunavut Commands,

Teen game night began in November 2015 and sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 374 Ladies Axillary and supported by the Richards Landing Branch.

The purpose was to offer, at no cost, an activity for the youth to come out and play traditional board games. No electronics permitted.

As many as 40 youth have joined, meeting Saturday evenings at the Legion lounge. Attendance varies from four to 15 per night.

https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/teens-raise-funds-to-help-leave-the-streets-behind-311872

One homeless Veteran is one too many
That is why Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is taking steps to reach out to Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Local organizations are usually the first resource for anyone who is homeless. Through these organizations, VAC is able to provide information about the Department’s services.

Call the VAC Assistance Service if you need to talk to someone right now.

You can reach a mental health professional at any time—24 hours a day, 365 days a year—by calling 1-800-268-7708

OR Contact VAC 1-866-522-2122

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/services/health/homeless

Blues for Soldiers supports VETS Canada’s outreach to homeless

When Jim Lowther was released from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2010 after 15 years of service, he was struggling.

A veteran who served on operational tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan, Lowther became a victim of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Upon returning home to Halifax, Jim and his wife Debbie looked to acclimate back to normal life.

“(He) was struggling to find out what his next purpose in life was going to be,” said Debbie Lowther in an interview with Brant News. “I, more or less, pushed him out of the house and said to maybe go volunteer in the community, which was something he had always enjoyed.”

Canadian military members fight for the rights, freedoms and security of Canadians. They are assumed to have nerves of steel, but what happens when they are the ones who need help? Who can they turn to for security?

“(Jim) went to a Sunday supper at a church in Halifax,” Debbie said. “And he ran into a gentleman that he had served with in the military. Naturally he assumed that that gentleman was there volunteering as well.

"He wasn’t. He was there getting a meal.”

A study by Employment and Social Development Canada in March of 2015 estimated that 2,250 former soldiers use shelters on a regular basis, about 2.7 per cent of the total homeless population that uses temporary lodging.

“The gentleman, as it turns out, was couch surfing and he proceeded to point out a couple of other veterans in the room,” Debbie said. "We were rather shocked at that, and it’s one of those things that once you see it you cannot un-see it.”

Prior to the 2015 study, there was no concrete data. But that number is only based on a database of 60 shelters.

“We feel that number is very low,” Debbie said. “It doesn’t take into consideration those shelters that don’t use that database and it doesn’t take into consideration that population that we call the hidden homeless – those who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, living rough in the bush. Our men and women who served have such great survival skills and so they don’t tend to use the shelter system.”

After discovering that there were veterans in Halifax living homeless and having lost their path, Debbie and Jim didn’t look the other way. Instead, the pair founded an organization called Veteran Emergency Transition Services – or VETS Canada.

“We started off really grassroots in Halifax, put together a couple of people and did it kind of the military way, boots on the ground,” Debbie said. "Before we knew it, it had spread right across the country.”

Today VETS Canada has teams in every major urban center across the country.

“We identified a problem and people have jumped on board and said I want to help how can I help and that’s how our volunteer base has grown,” she said. "I think Canada really does support the troops and they have really stepped forward and tried to reach out and help.”

In 2014, VETS Canada was awarded a contract with Veteran’s Affairs Canada as a service provider in the field of homeless and in crisis veteran outreach.

In terms of progress in the government, Debbie says steps are being made but there is still more that needs to be done.

“We just kind of put our heads down and do what we have to do, we don’t point a finger at the government, because from our standpoint we can see the steps the government is making to help with this issue,” she said. "We just continue doing the work that needs to be done.”

Three years ago, the Brant Artillery Gunners Club approached Debbie and Jim and made an offer: Would they like to be the recipients of funds generated by a small, one-day blues music festival?

This year, the third annual Blues for Soldiers to benefit VETS Canada to help homeless and in-crisis veterans suffering from PTSD will take place Saturday, July 9.

The event, taking place at the Gunners Club, located at 115 Henry St. from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., will feature performances by Jack De Keyzer, Jerome Godboo, Brant Parker Band and Smoke Wagon Blues Band, as well as feature a motorcycle show and shine presented by Hip’s Cycle.

Limited seating will be available, so organizers suggest to bring a lawnchair. A parking lot shuttle will also be available.

The event will be catered by Strode’s BBQ and Deli.

Admission cost is 10$ and tickets available at the Gunners Club and Hip’s Cycle at 900 Colborne St.

Representatives from VETS Canada will be on site to provide information on what the organization does so people can see first-hand how the proceeds will be spent.

“One of the things we do that sets us apart as an organization,” Debbie said, “is that we do physically go out into the streets looking for those veterans that do need our assistance. We just couldn’t go on with our normal day-to-day lives knowing that there were others out there who had served their country, who had fallen through the cracks.”

As Part of the 2016 Coast to Coast Tour of Duty, VETS Canada will be in 13 cities across the country on June 11 for Boots on the Ground solidarity walks. To get information on the Toronto walk, follow VETS Canada on Facebook or go to www.vetscanada.org.

http://www.brantnews.com/news-story/6691978-fighting-for-the-security-of-veterans/

Some stories shared by other Veterans.
http://globalnews.ca/news/2653307/left-behind-watch-the-stories-of-canadas-homeless-veterans-and-the-people-who-help-them/

An emergency fund specifically for Canadian veterans in crisis has been depleted, Veterans Affairs confirmed Wednesday. Money, composed of donations from the public and held in trust by Veterans Affairs, was used to help those experiencing homelessness or distress.

In the fiscal year 2014-2015 approximately $200,000 was held in the account and this interruption could affect the help some homeless veterans will receive, putting more pressure on shelters and other emergency services.

Homelessness among veterans to be a top priority for Liberals: Hehr

“No homeless veteran will be turned away from Veterans Affairs,” a statement received by 16×9 reads, saying they will work with veterans to make sure their needs are met through other services and partnerships.

The struggles of homeless veterans started gaining attention over the last decade, as shelters, police agencies and academics started recognizing the unique population. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) completed a report in 2015 estimating 2,250 veterans use homeless shelters every year. That number accounts for 2.7 per cent of annual shelter users.

16×9 has been investigating homeless veterans and wanted to know how that number compared to point-in-time counts in cities across Canada. Point-in-time counts measure the number of homeless people on a specific day.

The numbers we found were higher, ranging from 4.7 per cent to 18.3 per cent.

16×9 also met with many who live at The Madison, a home for homeless veterans in Calgary.

“For me, this place here, I feel like a millionaire,” said Gerald Zaleschuk, 71. Zaleschuk signed up for the Canadian Armed Forces in the 1960s as a teenager. He says he served 10 years.

“It made a better person out of you,” he said, describing himself as a “bad kid.”

After he got out of the military, he struggled with addiction, served time in prison, his marriage fell apart and he eventually ended up homeless. He says he lived on the street for almost 20 years, often camping in parks or sleeping on benches.

“It’s like you have a crisis in slow motion,” explains Cheryl Forchuk, assistant director at the Lawson Health Research Institute in London, ON.
She conducted some of the first research on homeless veterans in Canada.

“It’s a good decade often between the time they leave the service and the time they end up homeless.”

Forchuk says homelessness among veterans has many layers. Many like to avoid shelters, living off the radar and use their survival skills to camp in parks or ravines.

Is Ottawa underestimating the number of homeless vets?

Unlike some other homeless populations, there is not one event or crisis that propels a veteran into homelessness. She says it is often addiction or substance abuse that started in the military, coupled with depression or anxiety and challenges transitioning to civilian life that could contribute to the fall.

The Madison, open since 2012, operates on a “housing first” and “harm reduction” model. The primary purpose is to get veterans off the street, into safe and affordable housing. Residents are not required to attend counselling or addiction programs, though many do.

Fifteen vets live at The Madison, ranging in age from their 40s to their 70s. The only requirement is military service, with many of the men having served between the 1960s and the 1990s. Some were deployed overseas, others weren’t.

“These people want to congregate, they want to reconnect with their military culture. And they can’t do that in a homeless shelter,” says Forchuk.

Forchuk says military service does not cause homelessness, in fact time in the armed forces provides much needed structure and routine to some people. But once they leave and enter civilian life, that lack of structure and routine can cause many veterans to stumble.

“Just because you’re well thought of in the military, it doesn’t mean you’re employable on the outside,” says Peter Polley, another resident of the Madison. Polley served in the navy for 12 years, from 1968-1980.
Polley says problems need to be caught before they become unmanageable and more outreach is needed.

“Because, you’re fighting addiction. You’re fighting homelessness. Your health is down. All of these should be addressed before they become like I was,” Polley said.

Veterans like Zaleschuk and Polley look back on their time in the military with pride: a time when they were respected.

Veterans are also connected with Veterans Affairs case workers who can assist them in getting access to any benefits they may be entitled to. But in the case of many veterans, there are caveats and limitations to what they are eligible for, such as an injury linked to service or those who served in combat only. Homelessness is not considered an injury.

“We want to take a broad approach to this,” says Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr. “I think our department has the capacity to do better”.

“This is something that is not only shocking to the Canadians it is concerning for me as minister. And I will say this, Veterans Affairs has never had it in its mandate to address homelessness,” Hehr said.

While Veterans Affairs do offer some benefits, charities and non-profit organizations, like local chapters of the Royal Canadian Legion, VETS Canada and the Poppy Fund, have stepped in to fill the gaps, providing supports, services and even assistance in locating homeless veterans.

The Madison is operated by Alpha House, in large part with provincial funding. Forchuk’s research also shows that places like the Madison save money.

According to Forchuk’s research, it costs almost $2,000 to operate a shelter bed each month. Veterans cost the system over $88,000 in costs associated with accessing shelters and over $500,000 can be saved by intervening in homelessness.

Veterans Affairs has called homeless veterans are a priority and announced a secretariat to investigate the issue. Minister Hehr hopes to present a framework addressing it within the next four months.

“They need more of these places,” says Zaleschuk, whose health is deteriorating. “If they didn’t get me into this place, then – I wouldn’t be alive today. I know that for a fact.”

http://globalnews.ca/news/2651262/homeless-veterans-helping-those-who-have-fallen-behind/

I fought my battle myself , it almost killed me and my family , but I did it myself. No politicians , no MD's , no Mental Health Doctors , no Lawyers , no one but me because it is all bureaucracy. I told everyone what my problems are and told them to report it on a medical document and if they did not I went to another Doctor until it was documented. I never gave up and I think that we as Veterans should band together and take care of the homeless situation ourselves because the Government is a waste of time. I have voted once in my life when I was 18 years old , I have not voted in 28 years because the Government does what they are told to do not what they tell people they are going to do if voted in. BAND OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS , lets take action and find the homeless Veterans ourselves and bring them HOME.

I must say I just finished one of the best reads ever and one that has opened my eyes on who it actually is that are the enemy of veterans. Sure the elected politicians have to take their licks for not having any ethics or morals but the real enemy is the senior bureaucrats, Deputy Minisiters, etc that are all about themselves looking good rather then assure those who need their help the most are looked after. As a retired CPO1 I do not have much use for our militaries most senior officers (and a few junior ones ha ha) but I stand here and salute Colonel (Retired) Pat Stogran. I only wish I could have served under his command, he most certainly without question is a leader of men and women. In his book he talks of his plight while serving as our ombudsman and is not shy about calling out some of the bureaucrats by name as well as the corrupt politicians that did all they could to discredit him and the veteran community. He answered an important question that I have had since the naming of his replacement to why we no longer hear of the fights that the OVO is doing on our behalf. He indicates in his book that the current ombudsman worked for him in the department and he was in the process of firing him when he himself was fired and presto they name the guy that could not do the job as a Director to become the new ombudsman. Not sure what is up with that but let's say I have my suspicions. Saw to many that once reached the top forget who got them there. It is very clear that Harper and his band of henchmen were crooks and enemy of the veterans but it is to early to tell if Trudeau has the right stuff to fire a few top bureaucrats that do not follow his mandate, that is of course if he does not forget who were instrumental in getting him and the Liberal Party of Canada elected. Anyway all a great read if you have not read it you can get it for $4.95 on kobo.

Boots on the Ground’ searches for homeless veterans in Edmonton

Vets Canada volunteers are planning to blitz downtown Edmonton Saturday, searching for former soldiers and police officers now living rough on the streets or staying in homeless shelters.

“We can take them off the streets today,” said Julie Bibby, helping to organize the first large-scale Boots on the Ground walk to find homeless veterans in Edmonton.

“No Canadian should be homeless but especially not those who served our country,” said Bibby, Vets Canada National Director of Operations. She’s expecting about 20 volunteers to help check downtown homeless shelters, drop-in centres and other places people without their own homes tend to gather.

If they find a veteran, they’ll start a conversation and see if they want help getting into secure housing again. The group is funded through donations and contracts with Veterans Canada. They can put a veteran up in a hotel, then help them find an apartment and together secure a deposit and rent, said Bibby.

“There are numerous veterans and they’re not necessarily using the shelters. They’re couch surfing or living rough on the street or in the river valley,” said Bibby. Edmonton has had a group of local volunteers since 2013. Many of them are active police officers and paramedics. They hold smaller walks looking for veterans in hard to reach places.

Bibby said the average age of veterans they work with is 45. They end up on the street after marriages fail, they end up with post traumatic stress disorder, other mental health illnesses or addictions. Vets Canada has been helping homeless veterans find permanent housing and other support since 2010 and now help an average 50 veterans a month, often through referrals. Recent walks through Halifax and Ottawa found three and four veterans each.

The group is meeting at Sutton Place at noon and will be searching for veterans most of the afternoon.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/boots-on-the-ground-searches-for-homeless-veterans-in-edmonton

630 CHED Afternoon News: Searching for homeless veterans in Edmonton

Veteran Emergency Transition Services Canada is holding their first ever “Boots on the Ground” in Edmonton in search of homeles veterans.


On Saturday, volunteers will be speaking with the homeless all throughout Edmonton in search of finding those who have served in the name of Canada.

Co-Founder of VETS Canada Debbie Lowther spoke with The 603 CHED Afternoon News and said they’ve helped hundreds of homeless veterans since 2010.

“I’m hoping that we’ll find some veterans. Not because I want to find some, but I really believe that there are veterans out there that need help.”

If you’d like to get involved with the search you can do so by visiting their website.
http://vetscanada.org/

http://www.inews880.com/syn/110/93626/93626

This is the beginning of a new era. BZ ! Get Vets of the street, WOW!
How did they end up there in the first place?
A Veterans is a Veteran is a Veteran....No matter what !
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/homeless-veterans-ottawa-helping-hand-1.3480939

BZ Jim. I met Jim Lowther and his wife a few yrs ago. Back when he just started Vets Canada out. Jim is a awesome guy, who has saved and improved the lives for alot of our homeless comrades. VVV...

Volunteers hit the streets to help homeless veterans in Halifax

More than a dozen volunteers took to the streets of downtown Halifax on Saturday afternoon for the Boots on the Ground walk.

The event is put on by Vets Canada, an organization which has helped to assist hundreds of homeless or in-crisis veterans since it first started in Halifax in 2010.

Jim Lowther, CEO of Vets Canada, believes no one who has served our country should ever be without a home and says the walk is a change to bring awareness to the number of vets who are homeless.

The walk is also an opportunity to bring together those who work around the clock to help homeless veterans. From coast-to-coast, Vets Canada now has 500 dedicated volunteers.

“Its just grown beyond what I ever thought because I didn’t really set out to have my own charity. We just set out to help a couple vets in need. Now we’re pushing 1,000 almost you know, it’s crazy,” said Jim Lowther.

Vets Canada says more than 2,200 former soldiers use shelters across the country on a regular basis. Lowther says now is the time to take action and get them off the streets.

Debbie Lowther, Jim’s wife and partner at Vets Canada, says working to help get veterans off the streets is a rewarding experience.

“My husband Jim, has PTSD and he could easily have gone down that road where he could have ended up on the streets very easily if he didn’t get the help he needed for his PTSD,” said Debbie Lowther. “He could have easily ended up in a bad situation.”

http://globalnews.ca/news/2544922/volunteers-take-to-streets-to-help-homeless-vets-in-halifax/