ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Today marks Veterans Day – when so many across the community are honoring the vets who chose to make the Finger Lakes their home.
But what about the veterans who don’t have a home?
News10NBC spoke with struggling veterans and local advocates about what needs to change to keep veterans off the streets.
According to a February report by Rochester City Council President Miguel Melendez, there are more than 100 homeless veterans in Rochester.
“Well, the veterans fought for our great country, and they’re heroes, and I don’t think we do enough for them. So this is my way of saying thank you,” said Rebecca Mearns, who runs Operation Caring Hearts. It provides food, clothing, and resources to all homeless – but today, she focused specifically on homeless vets. She dropped off clothing at several transitional housing units across Monroe County.
What veterans have to say
Army veteran Andrew Berg, who served in Desert Storm and later became homeless, found support at one of those transitional housing units for veterans – Eagle Star.
“It was a grind every day, you know? But like I said, you know, I read about this place and had an opportunity, and they accepted me,” Berg said.
“It’d be great if they can open up a couple more houses like this,” Berg said.
Some advocates said that outreach is just as important as expanding housing, since many veterans are not aware of available resources. Shanika Williams, program manager at Eagle Star, said many veterans do not know about the services offered.
“I’ve had veterans who come through who just they didn’t even know we were here,” Williams said.
“We get phone calls and we just refer them to the VA because they have to be referred by the VA. And sometimes they don’t even know that that service is available,” Williams said.
Mearns also visited Richards House on South Avenue, another transitional housing unit for homeless veterans. Veteran Darin Gatson said more outreach and transitional housing are needed as the number of homeless veterans grows.
“As the numbers increase, we’re going to need more places like this,” Gatson said.
“Even as myself, if I see a homeless vet and this and that. Me outreaching to him and giving them the resources to come to a place like this. Because some of us, we got issues and stuff like that, they’re not mentally capable, you know what I’m saying, to get here,” Gatson said.
Mearns is planning a Thanksgiving Day food donation drive in the coming weeks for Rochester’s homeless.
News10NBC will continue to highlight local efforts to help veterans in need.
Over 100 homeless veterans in Rochester: What local advocates say has to change WHEC.com.
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