Welcome to the 12 Vets of Christmas!

After 17 years in the Army, Ben, his wife, and their two children relocated to Indianapolis looking for a fresh start. But they found themselves homeless and living in a hotel.

Their only meal was often the hotel’s complimentary breakfast. Knowing they needed help, Ben’s wife found HVAF and reached out. Your impact was immediate.

You not only provided them with housing, but you ensured they had food on their table and daily encouragement through their dedicated case manager Anne.

Their story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible with your support.

Ben’s family is now thriving—with a safe home, stable employment, and the independence to build a brighter future.

After serving in the Navy for 5 years, Goldie found herself homeless and struggling with employment. 

A quick search led her to HVAF, and the response was immediate. You got Goldie off the street and into a hotel until she could move into one of HVAF’s transitional housing units. 

Having safe housing was just the beginning. Goldie had access to food, legal assistance and career development support through VetWorks.  

VetWorks allowed her to explore the IT field while developing both technical and soft skills essential for civilian employment. 

Goldie's story illustrates the power of your support—transforming a veteran's moment of crisis into a launching pad for long-term success. 

Army veteran, Dallas, spent weeks living in his car. After suffering life-threatening blood clots, a kind stranger helped Dallas get to the hospital—where he made a life-changing call to HVAF.

Once ready to leave the hospital, you provided him with a safe place to live and the resources he needed to heal and rebuild his life.

With no functional vehicle after his medical ordeal, a generous donor provided Dallas with a much-needed and life-changing car, giving him a renewed sense of freedom and independence.

Dallas has successfully moved into his very own permanent residence, becoming self-sufficient and reclaiming his life.

His story is a powerful reminder of the impact you have.

Marine Corps veteran, Joe, faced unimaginable challenges transitioning to civilian life after losing his parents—his greatest supporters. 

Left without a safety net and as a single father, Joe persevered to provide for his children while battling the looming threat of homelessness.

Despite his hesitancy to ask for help, Joe took a leap of faith and reached out to HVAF—a decision that transformed his life.

You provided him with supportive housing, where he found more than just shelter.

He found a solid foundation—a chance to rebuild, recover, and provide his children with the stability they deserve.

Today, Joe and his family are thriving, living in their own permanent home, thanks to you!

Meet Kenny, an Army veteran whose life took an unexpected turn.

Despite steady employment, Kenny faced the unthinkable—homelessness.

HVAF's Outreach Coordinator met Kenny and quickly connected him to critical resources.

Kenny was the first move-in to the newly rebuilt Manchester Apartments North Tower.

Living there not only gave him a safe place to live but the support he needed to rebuild his life.

Just months later, Kenny moved into his own permanent housing and is thriving. This transformation is a testament to your power.

 Your support gives veterans like Kenny hope and a fresh start!

When Air Force veteran, Cynitha, came to Indianapolis, she faced the overwhelming threat of homelessness.

 You provided her with safe, temporary housing and employment support that allowed her to rebuild her life.

With your help, Cynitha earned her ServeSafe Manager certification, improving her employment prospects and moved into her own housing.

She’s now thriving on her own.

Her story exemplifies how your support transforms lives.

Michael, an Army veteran who has always exemplified resilience and strength, faced his hardest battle – fighting cancer while also facing potential homelessness.

You not only helped him with rental assistance preventing him from becoming homeless, you gave him much needed support through Lucy – HVAF’s devoted Healthcare Navigator.

That support included providing Michael with a state-of-the-art mobility wheelchair, restoring his independence and dignity during this critical time.

Your kindness ensures that veterans like Michael receive essential care and unwavering support when they need it most.

Dana is a Navy veteran whose perseverance embodies the power of hope.

After her service, Dana faced overwhelming hardships, including homelessness. Despite the challenges, Dana’s determination led her to HVAF, where she discovered a lifeline.

At her lowest point, you provided her with community, care, and opportunity through programs like VetWorks.

While safely housed in transitional housing, Dana was able to focus on her mental health with the support of HVAF’s mental health team. This helped her rebuild both her stability and confidence.

You helped Dana find meaningful work and a renewed sense of purpose. 

For Army veteran Gilbert—lovingly known as Gibby—life after serving as a U.S. Army tank commander in the 1970s was anything but easy. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Gibby faced debilitating health challenges, dental pain, and financial insecurity.

Struggling to navigate the complex healthcare system, he found himself feeling overwhelmed and defeated. But when you stepped in, everything changed.

You helped Gibby secure safe housing tailored to his accessibility needs and provided comprehensive support for his medical care.

Lucy, his dedicated HVAF Healthcare Navigator, went above and beyond to arrange free dentures, restoring not just his health but also his confidence.

Today, Gibby credits your generosity for saving his life.

Army National Guard veteran Keith’s resilience carried him through unthinkable challenges.

Keith remembers the biting cold of winter living on the streets, relying on his military survival skills to endure snowy nights.

But thanks to you, Keith no longer has to endure such hardship.

Just a few months in transitional housing, he was ready to take a final step toward self-sufficiency.

Today, Keith is living self-sufficiently and thriving in his own permanent home, safe and warm. Your generosity makes stories like Keith's possible.

Army veteran, Sierra, faced immense challenges transitioning to civilian life. Undiagnosed depression and substance abuse led to years of uncertainty, forcing her into a cycle of couch-surfing and, at her lowest point, sleeping in her car.

You gave Sierra hope when she reached out for help.

You provided her with temporary housing, giving her a safe space to begin her recovery.

Through stability and guidance from HVAF case mananger, she focused on her sobriety and joined the VetWorks program, where she gained the skills to thrive professionally.

Today, Sierra's life is full of promise.

She’s healthier, working to rebuild relationships, and looks forward to the future with hope.

After 10 years of Army service, Wesley faced an unimaginable challenge when his wife became gravely ill.

Mounting medical expenses led to eviction, and Wesley and his wife were forced to send their children to live with relatives while they took refuge in a tent in a public park.

You provided them a house to live in, a case manager to work with, and employment support.  

Wesley rebuilt his life step by step.

The most powerful moment came when he reunited with his children, a testament to your generosity.