In 2015, our nation's leaders set forth a significant challenge to end veteran homelessness. At that time, estimates suggested over 100,000—some believe closer to 200,000—homeless veterans were living on the streets across America. This statistic hit close to home as a West Point graduate and former Army officer. While serving, I often witnessed soldiers transitioning out of the military due to injury or at the end of their term. We would replace them, rarely pausing to consider where they would go next. One soldier, in particular, haunts my memories: a young section sergeant in my Squadron Maintenance Section who suffered a traumatic injury during an exercise. At just 23 years old, he had a promising military career ahead of him, yet suddenly, his life took a dramatic turn.
I have often wondered what happened to him after he left the service. Did he find support? Was he among those who fell into the shadows of homelessness? This concern for my fellow veterans inspired me to establish the Cherokee County Homeless Veteran Program. Our mission is simple yet profound: to advocate for and assist honorably discharged veterans who find themselves homeless or on the brink of homelessness in Cherokee County, Georgia.
Every veteran's experience is unique, and their needs vary widely. The Cherokee Homeless Vets Program aims to provide tailored support through housing assistance, job training, or mental health resources. Importantly, we believe in the principle of reciprocity: we encourage those we help to assist other veterans in need in the future. This creates a cycle of support that strengthens our community.
Our program is adaptive, evolving with the needs of our veterans. A few years ago, the pressing need was for necessities like socks. Today, we focus on ensuring our veterans have a permanent address and a reliable means of communication, such as a cell phone, which are essential for connecting with services and opportunities.
The generosity of our local community has transformed the lives of many veterans. Jim Lindenmayer, a dedicated advocate, shared stories of veterans who have found hope through our program. One story that particularly moved me was of a disabled female veteran with six children, teetering on the brink of homelessness in another county. When she contacted our program, we didn’t hesitate to assist her, even though her family was outside our immediate jurisdiction. We worked diligently to secure housing and transportation for her family, ensuring they felt safe and supported.
The Cherokee County School District also stepped in, helping the children transition smoothly into their new schools. This collaborative spirit makes our community truly special. We may never fully comprehend our veterans' sacrifices, but we can show our gratitude through action, offering them the support they need to reclaim their lives.
As we move into 2024, we plan to expand our efforts. One key initiative is the development of a transitional shelter on Belly Ferry Road. This shelter will allow us to utilize our funding more effectively than relying on local hotels. To realize this vision, we must transition from a 501(c)(19) to a 501(c)(3) organization, allowing us to employ paid staff for the first time—until now, our team has operated entirely on a volunteer basis. We aim to keep veterans in Cherokee County, which currently ranks as the sixth-largest veteran population in the state.
We will rely on local donations and seek federal grants to achieve our goals, especially as state and local support for our program has been limited. Our mission is crucial, and we need the community’s backing to continue our work.
As winter approaches, we urgently need gently used or new coats for our homeless veterans. Last year, we collected over 7,000 coats, and this year, our goal is 9,000. You can donate at any Arrow Exterminator Service Center through November 8th. Let’s make supporting Cherokee County veterans a national conversation, showcasing how we can unite as a community to uplift those who have served our country.
In closing, advocating for homeless veterans is not just a duty; it’s a heartfelt commitment to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Let’s honor their service by ensuring they have the support and resources they need to thrive. Together, we can make a difference, one veteran at a time.
In America, we have over 49,000 homeless veterans living in our communities. Ways we can change the course of homeless veterans in our community.
- Annual Coat Drive from October 1- November 8th at any Arrow Exterminator Service Centers
- Annual October Red, White, and Blue BBQ and Pizza Cook-Off
- Annual Spring Golf Outing in Cherokee County
- Adopt a Veteran to support the needs of our servicemen and women
- Donate a Vehicle to a Vet in need
Check out all the details and events at the Cherokee Homeless Vets Programs website to be informed of all the community-based outreach opportunities available at CherokeeHomelessVets.com/programs
For additional questions and information, please contact Executive Director Jim Lindenmeyer at (678) 983-7590 or jlindenmayer80@gmail.com