The Homeless Veteran Fellowship (HVF) is located in Ogden, Utah. Their motto is “Veterans Helping Veterans and Our Community”. It was founded in 1989 by a group of veterans.
Main Office, drop in center and some residences
Folks, this is a pretty neat operation! They provide 32 transitional residences for needy veterans. They also provide a comprehensive range of services to assist the homeless veteran to move from transitional housing to independent living by providing:
Substance-free, zero-tolerance, stabilized transitional housing.
Acquisition of skills and knowledge necessary to obtain suitable employment.
Acquisition of life skills necessary for independence and self-sufficiency
Employment development and placement in suitable occupations which maximizes the resident’s income potential
Substance abuse counseling to promote maintained abstinence from drugs and/or alcohol.
Mental health counseling to assist residents to process issues that may impede their ongoing development.
They consider themselves as an aid station for behind the lines assistance to veterans in need of help.
They have a drop in center that welcomes homeless veterans. The Drop-in center is manned by volunteers and transitional housing members. People working in the drop-in center are prepared to discuss program basics and initiate paperwork, assist with Veterans Administration needs (DD 214, ID Card, etc.). The drop in center has a small library of donated paperback books for those who just want to rest and relax.
The drop-in center provides hot coffee, donuts, and reading material for visitors, workers, and residents. Donated supplies, including coffee, sugar, plastic ware, pastries, creamer, cups, napkins, and cleaning supplies. Also paperback books, magazines, board games, card games, food items, such as canned goods, boxed or packaged items. Hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, etc.) are also available for those living on the street.
HVF provides referral services through the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City, and through other local agencies. HVF also provides extensive case management services for clients to ensure that all critical needs are met.
There is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and Substance Abuse counselor on staff to provide both individual and group counseling for Veterans in the Transitional Housing program.
HVF’s employment development program consists of a full-time Employment Development Specialist to assist clients in obtaining meaningful employment. HVF has a vendor license with the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation for Supported Job Based Training (SJBT).
The Homeless Veterans Fellowship provides a Transitional Housing Program which is designed to temporarily stabilize the housing needs of veterans, both single and with families.
Main Housing Unit (there are 3 others)
Facilities:
The HVF Office building houses the Drop-In Center, Director’s Office, Employment Specialist, VA Counseling Services and apartments.
Next Door to the Office Building is the main housing facility with apartments available for male, female, or family participants.
To the rear of the main housing facility there is a renovated house that has been converted into apartments to support residents.
Just up the road about a block is a 4th facility with apartments to support residents.
In all there are facilities to house 32 participants.
This looks like a program that could be emulated across the country. Homeless Veterans Fellowship is a non-profit organization, as such, it depends totally upon the generosity of the community and public and private grants.
That is the way to minister to the homeless veteran!
Oldtimer
Oldtimer Speaks Out 