“The greatest gift that this committee gives to anyone, any veteran that we place in a house and give a new life, is hope. We are the givers of hope.”
Hear about how Elks in New Jersey are working to end veteran homelessness.
Next up in our "Coming Home" series, we hear from Elks and VA social workers how Elks volunteers can become directly involved in ending veteran homelessness by "Making a House a Home."
Your time matters. You can make a difference! Get involved in our Welcome Home program.
“So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them."
Elks honor the service and sacrifice of veterans every day of the year. Watch this video to learn how a few of our volunteers feel about giving back to their fellow veterans.
Elks Scholar Fellow Brianna Bueltmann and Washington, D.C. V.A. Medical Center staff share just how impactful Elks volunteers and resources—like Welcome Home Kits and the Elks Emergency Assistance Fund—can be on veterans’ lives.(Runtime: 2 mins., 5 sec.) #WelcomeHome #EndVeteranHomelessness
In this video, Elks and staff at the Washington DC VA Medical Center share just how impactful Elks volunteers and resources—like Welcome Home Kits and the Elks Emergency Assistance Fund—can be on veterans’ lives.
Four years ago, Elks pledged to help end veteran homelessness. Since then, we've helped more than 6,000 veterans exit or prevent homelessness, and establish their new homes.
Veterans like Nicole, who says, thanks to the Elks' help, "I feel like I'm building up to who I used to be, but even better."
Nicole, an Iraqi veteran and mom of two, turned to the Elks' Emergency Assistance Fund when she needed help paying her electric bill. Watch her share her story. #BeTheSpark (Runtime: 2 mins., 30 secs.)
Elks at St. Louis, Mo., Lodge No. 9 are helping veterans in their community recover and thrive! With the help of a Freedom Grant, the Lodge hosted an adaptive kayaking event and health fair with Team River Runner and other community partners.
At the June 2016 Stand Down for homeless veterans in Chicago, social workers from the Veterans Administration raved about the Elks' new emergency assistance program. Listen to what they had to say in this short video. (Runtime: 2 mins., 20 secs.)
Because of trauma due to military sexual assault, Army veteran Angela had trouble feeling safe anywhere. When she lost her housing, the problem only got worse. View the final video in our seven-part series of profiles on formerly homeless veterans. (Runtime: 4 mins., 55 secs.)
For Gerald, a Navy veteran, not having anyone to talk to was one of the worst things about being homeless. Hear his story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 4 mins., 25 secs.)
Jack didn't think much about the homeless. He had a good job and a home of his own, so why would he? But when he lost both to health problems, his opinion changed. Hear his story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 3 mins., 50 secs.)
Randy felt like dirt. The proud Marine couldn't even get his wife the medication she desperately needed. They were lost in a series of shelters until one day, a man walked in and changed their lives. Hear Randy's story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 5 mins., 8 secs.)
Erin was sick of the person she had become. An Air Force veteran, she suffered a nervous breakdown in the 1990s. Drug addiction and chronic homelessness followed. Hear her story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 4 mins., 6 secs.)
Ryan was steering the U.S.S. Midway when we launched our attack in the Gulf War. Twenty years later, he was living in a tent. Hear his story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 4 mins., 21 secs.)
Shortly after the Gulf War, Rickey, an Air Force veteran, was diving into dumpsters and committing petty crime to stay alive. Hear his story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 5 mins.)
On any given night, an estimated 50,000 veterans are living on the streets. Meet seven vets who were there recently but have now exited homelessness with help from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and community partners like the Elks. Then learn more about the Elks' commitment to eliminating the scourge of veteran homelessness at http://www.elks.org/vets/welcomehome.cfm. (Runtime: 8 mins., 45 secs.)