Ways to Support Your Local Veterans

By Sandra Bolan

There are roughly 19 million American veterans, yet they remain one of the most underserved populations. Of the roughly 580,000 homeless people living in the United States, about 3% of them are veterans, according to a 2022 study by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

One reason veterans end up living on the street is because they can’t find employment once they return to civilian life.

Many service men and women enlist right out of high school, which means their real-world job skills may be minimal. Military skills can be transferred into civilian employment, but many CEOs and business owners may fail to recognize this, thus not giving former military personnel job opportunities. Military personnel have some valuable skills many employers have a difficult time finding, including loyalty, integrity, honesty and a work ethic beyond compare.

So, how can you help a veteran? Hire him or her. Their unique skillset can only benefit your company.

Visit a Vet

Many veterans return home and despite having a welcoming and loving family, still feel socially isolated. There are also hundreds of veterans living in VA hospitals.

Contact your local VA hospital to inquire about becoming a volunteer visitor. Just talking to a veteran lets them know they’re valued. Sometimes, starting a conversation may be awkward because you don’t want to say something the vet may find triggering or offensive.

Start with the basics: "Why did you join the military, what was your job, what was the most rewarding part of your service, or what hobbies do you have?" Don't ask a veteran outright if they've hurt or killed anyone. That could be a painful part of her past that she may not want to revisit.

If you’re part of a therapy dog team, consider doing VA visits, as dogs have proven to reduce a person’s anxiety and depression. If you have a special talent, such as playing an instrument or singing, consider performing at the VA or offer to teach its residents.

There are also a number of other ways you can volunteer at a VA hospital that don’t require a medical degree. Check with your local chapter to see how you can volunteer.

Many veterans come home from deployment and among the items they likely don’t have is a car. Why not offer to drive a veteran to her medical appointments and job interviews? Local Veterans’ Affairs offices often have a volunteer transportation network set up to facilitate this.

Lend a Handy Hand

Almost one-third (3.5 million) of the 12 million veterans aged 21 to 64 report being disabled, according to the ADA National Network/ employment data for Veterans with Disabilities. So when they return home, they’re unable to do some of the things they once did without thought: groceries, getting to medical appointments, mowing the lawn or household chores.

Veterans are proud and may be embarrassed to ask for help. Many don’t have the finances to pay for outside assistance, so why not offer your lawn cutting, home repair, laundry or cooking services? Take her grocery shopping or go shopping for her. If you’re a good cook, bring her pre-made meals she justs need to reheat in the oven or microwave.

Upon their return, many veterans feel socially isolated. Having someone drop by on a regular basis to help out, or even just to have a cup of coffee with, provides some much needed human interaction.

Donate

If you’re not in a position to volunteer your time, consider a financial donation to many of the organizations that assist veterans. The organizations listed below don’t receive federal government funding.

Disabled Americans Veterans helps veterans and their families with disability, assistance, VA pensions and employment programs. Home for Our Troops builds, then donates specially adapted homes to severely injured 9/11 veterans, which enables them to live independently.

The cost of training a service dog runs between $15,000 and $30,000, which the veteran has to pay for. However, through community donations to programs such as Pets for Vets, the cost can be reduced.

The Wounded Warrior Project provides rehabilitation services to wounded veterans, as well as career counseling.

People can tell a veteran, “Thank you for your service,” and say they support veterans, but it’s the actionable gestures that make a big difference and show veterans you really do care about them. WGW