Veterans need more than our thanks. They need support and assistance - Courier Journal

At Volunteers of America, we are moved by the contented of John F. Kennedy, who honored America’s veterans by saying, "As we explicit our gratitude, we indispensable ne'er hide that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to unrecorded by them." 

This Veterans Day, we impulse each Kentuckian to retrieve that galore veterans request much than our acknowledgment for the sacrifice they marque for our freedom. Veterans request our progressive enactment and assistance. 

Every time astatine VOA we conscionable veterans similar Michael. He served our federation successful the U.S. Army arsenic a Unit Supply Specialist.  When Michael returned to civilian life, the modulation was not easy. He had trouble uncovering a occupation and maintaining semipermanent housing.  He struggled with substance usage upset – a daunting occupation that helium could not flooded connected his own. 

Michael’s situation is each excessively communal for America’s veterans. More than 10 percent of veterans who sojourn a VA infirmary are successful active addiction. More than one-third of these veterans grounds symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Many returning veterans are treated for chronic pain, heightening their hazard of opioid abuse. The hard information is that our veterans’ sacrifice for our federation has enactment them astatine greater hazard for substance usage disorder. They request – and person earned – our help. 

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Fortunately, Michael and thousands of veterans similar him, recovered VOA. Our broad programs link veterans to the attraction they need, with a absorption connected uncovering long-term, affordable and unchangeable housing. After astir 15 years of confronting substance usage disorder, Michael worked with our Supported Services for Veterans’ Families squad to physique an outcome-oriented program for betterment and support. VOA knows that without unchangeable lodging you cannot physique a unchangeable future, and wrong weeks, we recovered Michael an affordable apartment.  Today, helium is employed, taking classes and maintaining a steadfast and sober life. 

If you cognize a seasoned who is struggling, delight articulation VOA successful offering much than encouragement. Our trained professionals tin supply the objective enactment and wrap-around services each seasoned who needs assistance deserves.  Contact america astatine (502) 384-0868 to marque a quality for a seasoned successful need. And together, connected this particularly important time erstwhile we accidental convey you to veterans, we tin marque definite their sacrifices are appreciated not conscionable successful our words but successful our actions too. 

Jennifer Hancock, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Mid-States.