Advocates Aim To End Homelessness For Veterans
DETROIT (WWJ) - Advocates for homeless veterans are trying to raise awareness and keep vets from living on the streets.
The goal of an initiative involving VA Medical centers across the county is to end homelessness for veterans nationwide by the end of 2014.
Patricia Wolschon, the director of the VA medical center in Detroit, told WWJ Newsradio 950 there are many reasons veterans end up homeless including substance abuse, mental illness and now the strained economy.
Wolschon said having homeless veterans is unacceptable and they are doing all they can.
"We are trying to outreach as much as possible. There are 28 events happening across the country within the next two weeks to highlight the homeless program offerings, to highlight the hotline we have for homeless veterans to call into get help locally and around the country," Wolschon said.
Wolschon said are some 2,400 homeless veterans in Michigan, and the percentage of homeless veterans is higher than that of the general population.
Twenty seven other VA centers are taking part in this initiative.
The hotline number for homeless veterans looking for help is (877) 424-3838.
