New facility offers hope for homeless vets

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Darrell Habisch
  • 934th AW Public Affairs
From service, dedication and honor to despair, hopelessness and homeless. Many of us find it difficult to imagine how one travels from one set of terms to the other. Just as many of us know that 'There, but for the grace of God, go I.'

The reasons and stories are as varied as the veterans of all ages who have experienced the journey from 'three squares a day' to wondering where the next bit of food and shelter is coming from. Many are caught in the vice grips of drugs, alcoholism and mental illness.

Military vets with addictions and socialization problems are not a new story. Societies have struggled with this problem since before Hannibal crossed the Alps. Many have turned a blind eye to those that protected them in the past and many have risen to help their protectors. One person helping is Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Chuck Perry.

Chaplain Perry is the case manager at the new Klein Hall Veterans Homeless Program in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. State legislators publicly dedicated the new facility Dec 4.

The Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs operates four facilities, including Klein Hall, in partnership with the Federal Veterans Administration. The partnership created the Veterans Homeless Program whose stated goal is to 'help military veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless obtain steady employment and affordable housing to reintegrate into the community.'

Just being homeless does not qualify a veteran to stay at the thirty-bed facility, according to Perry. "If a man's wife kicks him out of the house, he will not be eligible to stay here. There must be specific barriers to obtaining housing, such as drug or alcohol abuse or mental illness issues," he said. The non-profit organization must follow strict guidelines to receive a federal grant to operate. "This is not a shelter," Perry explained. "It's a program designed to give the vet the skills necessary to get and keep a job and housing."

The twenty-four month program includes a regime of group counseling, job training, classes in financial management and living skills. "As a former, certified, Addiction Therapist with a private clinic and the Veterans Administration," Perry explained, "My job will be to help veterans overcome the barriers that keep them from living independently."

Klein Hall was an empty building when presented to the Veterans Homeless Progam. "We were told to stay within the VA criteria, and to design a program that will address the needs of the residents." The program also includes an additional opportunity for veterans who have graduated from the program and are employed. For a monthly fee, ten veterans can stay at Klein Hall in the Single Room Occupancy program for an indefinite length of time.

Although Klein Hall operates on federal grants, donations are a large part of its anticipated success, said Perry. He stated that many local residents have called to donate their time, assistance and whatever items they could. "The community has really turned out to help. We received a lot of furniture from a Navy Reserve Center that has closed. Chippewa Valley Technical College," will be helping us with training and job skills. The American Legion, Am Vets and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, have offered to help purchase treatment program materials designed to help the veteran master his addictions. 'What can we do to help?' is the most-asked question."

Socialization skills are also a goal, according to Perry. Residents will enjoy activities such as fishing, bowling, canoeing, hiking and more, all supported by local veterans who will serve as volunteers.

Perry, a Vietnam and Iraq veteran, has 31 years of Air Force active and reserve duty. He is a former F-100 crew chief, and he is the only person with clinical experience at Klein Hall. The other employees are a retired Navy Recruiter, who is the site manager, a retired Air Force veteran is the kitchen manager and cook, and an office manager, whose son has served in Iraq. In addition to his full time position, Perry is also a part time prison chaplain at the Stanley Correctional Institution, and will remain there until they find his replacement.

The new facility is currently accepting applications, with plans to begin taking in residence shortly after the Dedication of the Klein Hall facility on Dec. 4th. There are approximately thirteen vets currently on a list, awaiting VA approval. Most applicants come to the homeless program via referrals from other group homes, shelters and County Veterans Service Officers. "This home is being developed for the most, needy veterans." Perry said.

Chaplain Perry is looking forward to the challenges of creating and running a new program dedicated to helping and protecting those that protected us in the past. "I am excited about this tremendous opportunity," he said. "The average age of a homeless vet in the state is forty-eight. This will not be an old soldier's home or a shelter. It is a treatment program. When a veteran enters here, there will be work to be done, classes to attend, a treatment plan to follow. I am really looking forward to spending the last ten years or more of my career working with veterans."

For more information about the Veterans Homeless Program, visit www.dva.state.wi.us.