Veterans News

Tips for Serving Homeless Veterans

Peter Behr is no stranger to serving veterans. In fact, he made a career of helping veterans access support while working at a nonprofit. After retiring in 2020, he joined the Elks. Now, as a member of San Rafael, Calif., Lodge No. 1108, he uses a combination of grants, Welcome Home Kits, and Lodge funds to aid veterans facing homelessness.

A Navy veteran himself, Peter started by providing Welcome Home Kits for newly housed veterans, which allowed him to supply cooking tools, bedding, and other household items. He noticed that aside from the beds donated by a local nonprofit, the veterans referred to him often had no other furniture in their empty apartments. To fill the gap, he started building a local network to source and deliver furniture. We recently spoke with Peter to learn more about his process and his advice for other volunteers.

For one thing, Peter knows his efforts wouldn’t be possible without help from the community. He developed relationships with contacts who work in real estate and manage estate sales, who often call him for first pick on free or low-cost furniture. Fellow Elks are also quick to offer donations. Still, Peter is discerning about which items he accepts, often asking people for photos, because he wants veterans to know they matter and deserve high-quality furniture. “I take only what will work for our veterans,” he says. “Basically, if I would not have it in my home, it’s not gonna go to my veterans either.”

Peter is also thoughtful about preserving relationships with community partners, always keeping in mind the future of the program. Jason Brittingham, owner of Bay Wide Hauling, is a key partner. When Jason heard about Peter’s limitations in delivering furniture to veterans, he offered to move supplies free of charge. Having backup has been a gamechanger, and Jason has helped with several deliveries since the start of their partnership. “At my age, I’m slightly limited,” Peter laughs. Nonetheless, Peter still makes many of the deliveries himself, with some help from other Lodge members. He recruits Bay Wide Hauling only for large jobs that he can’t handle with his pick-up truck so as not to overburden Jason’s generosity.

Photo: A veteran and his pup relax in their new home, furnished by San Rafael, Calif, Lodge No. 1108.

Finally, Peter can provide better, more comprehensive support to veterans by being part of a network. He talks to veterans about their other needs and life circumstances and then refers them to people who can help. “We fertilize each other,” Peter says of other local veterans’ resources. “We all have the desire to help the veterans and we each have our piece that we can do that the other can’t do as well.”

For example, he often refers veterans to a non-profit called Boots to Books, which helps with educational costs such as computers, books, and application fees. Recently, he connected with a musically inclined veteran whose therapist wanted him to have a guitar. Peter put out the word to his contacts, and soon learned of a group that provides guitars for people in need. The veteran was overjoyed to receive his very own guitar, in addition to furniture.

Peter’s goal is not only to house veterans, but also to help them lead the best lives they can. “My job is to be a catalyst. I’m not going create this for them, I’m going help them a little bit, give them some encouragement.”

To learn more about the Welcome Home Program and ways to serve homeless veterans, click here.

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