Established:
1993
Mission:
Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF) helps homeless and at-risk veterans return to self-sufficiency.
Serving Our Community:
At HVAF, we are dedicated to ending homelessness among veterans through essential services. We provide temporary housing for over 103 veterans each night and offer 62 affordable permanent supportive housing units, along with short-term rental and utility assistance for veterans and their families. Our Workforce Development Team helps veterans with resume creation, interview preparation, and career training and placement. We also run a pantry that provides gently used clothing, hygiene items, and food to all veterans on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Additionally, our outreach coordinator visits homeless camps daily to connect with those in need and get them help through HVAF.
Leadership:
At HVAF, our dedicated leadership team is essential in creating an environment where we can effectively support veterans in meeting all their needs. Leading the organization are CEO Emmy Hildebrand and COO Bryan Dysert, who guide our vision and operations. The Community Center Team, consisting of Kalisha Hayes, Bonni Bernard, and Katie Zackery, plays a crucial role in fostering connections within the community. Our Housing Team, including Doneeka Gunn, Danny Park, Dorian Lamotte, Lauren Mardis, Bobby Schuelke, and Hyacinth Sims, is committed to providing housing for veterans who are currently homeless or facing eviction. The Workforce Development Team, with Kiara Walker, Kristin Burch, and Lisa Ortiz, focuses on equipping veterans with essential skills for employment. The Advancement Team, featuring Ashlee Walls-Pierce, Lauren Carpenter, Andrea Carlile, and Mary Mauer, works to secure resources and promote our mission. Finally, our Support Team, comprised of Bernie Kruse, Randen Miller, and Dewayne Orender, ensures that our operations run smoothly, while Chip Sinders oversees our administration.
Other Ways to Help:
There are several ways to support HVAF in our mission to assist homeless veterans. You can donate pantry items such as food, clothing, and hygiene products to distribute to veterans. Additionally, we welcome volunteers to help maintain our housing properties, ensuring they remain well-kept for our veterans.
You can also support our biggest event of the year on November 8. This event, initiated by Travis Barnes, the founder and CEO of Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery and a disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran, started Operation Alpha in 2014 as a way to raise funds for HVAF’s operations, programs, and services. To learn more, visit http://onecau.se/operationalpha2024.
964 N Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 951-0688
www.hvafofindiana.org/
Challenge url: https://www.indianapolisgives.org/Hvaf-Of-Indiana
