"No holidays or parades for homeless women veterans"

[Lady Freedom Returns]

"Meet America's fastest growing homeless population. The harrowing stories of women who served -- and were forgotten"
By Lizzie Warren, Salon.com

Gladys is one who has struggled with homelessness and depression since she returned from Iraq. She is a funny, resourceful and generous person who grew up in a Colombian immigrant household in the Bronx. Gladys initially joined the Air Force to see the world and better herself — a pioneering move in the 1970s. She settled in Connecticut and worked for the U.S. Postal Service, and remained in the reserves for twenty years.

When Gladys turned forty, she wanted to challenge herself again and decided to join the Army Reserves, serving two tours of duty in the Iraq War. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and serious spinal damage, and spent a year recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center.

While in the hospital, she lost her house in a real estate deal gone bad. She returned to Connecticut, homeless, devastated and dependent on a walker.

“Every night I ended up finding a different spot,” Gladys said. She lived in her car and, unable to get the help she desperately needed, tried to commit suicide. She ended up sleeping on her ex-husband’s couch for a while, but they’ve since been evicted.

Read the rest of this story @ http://www.salon.com/2013/05/27/meet_americas_fastest_growing_homeless_population_women_veterans/

[smirkymonkey]

1. +10.000

Sad story. There was no rec feature on this or I would have rec'd it.

[Cha]

2. It is sad, smirkymonkey. there's a Rec feature

on DU, though.

[Cha]

3. This is terrible.. I feel so bad for those who

don't have a home, Lady Freedom Returns.

The Obama Admin is trying to help our Homeless..

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION RENEWS SUPPORT FOR MORE THAN 500
LOCAL HOMELESS PROGRAMS ACROSS THE U.S.

Local planners urged to rethink traditional approaches to homelessness

WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced a second round of grants for more than 500 local homeless housing and service programs across the U.S, provided through HUD’s Continuum of Care Program. This year, HUD challenged local communities to reexamine their response to homelessness and give greater weight to proven strategies, from providing ‘rapid re-housing’ for homeless families to permanent supportive housing for those experiencing chronic homelessness (see attached chart).

In 2010, President Obama and 19 federal agencies and offices that form the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) launched the nation’s first comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness. Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness puts the country on a path to end veterans and chronic homelessness by 2015 and to ending homelessness among children, family, and youth by 2020.

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/press/press_releases_media_advisories/2013/HUDNo.13-062

[sheshe2]

4. Thanks Bushco, you built this

And you own it! Lock stock and F**king barrel.

You used our troops in your illegal war. You happily supported them then, yet with your tax cut to your zillionaire buddies you abandoned them. By doing so you cut their safety nets upon their return. Tossed them away like trash. May you all rot in ever living hell!

These women, left alone are Americas shame.

So sorry Gladys. I am so very sorry.

Thank you Lady Freedom for bringing this to the light of day!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

6. Salon and writer Lizzie Warren Deserves all the thanks.

I knew some women Vets who were out on the streets. I can say from experience, these women have nerves of Steel.


These women Vets that have been placed in this situation, for all kinds of reasons, have one main thing in common, they still have a want to help and serve the community. They may need the soup kitchen, but they are ready willing and able to volunteer in that same kitchen. They will share information to those just out on the streets for the first time. They need help, but want to help. They are a different type of people.

[msongs]

5. no holidays or parades for homeless women non-veterans either btw nt

[Lady Freedom Returns]

7. I know. n/t

[DeSwiss]

8. K&R

“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” ~George Orwell



Monsanto hires infamous mercenary firm Blackwater to track activists around the world

[jmowreader]

9. They don't need holidays or parades

They need four things.

First, they need healthcare, especially mental health care.

Second, they need a network of affordable homes. No employer hires a person who lives in a box.

Third, they need training in jobs civilians are allowed to do. Everyone talks about the myriad of skills vets have, but if Joe the Vet brings reliability and maturity to the table and Frank the 23 year old brings knowing how to do what this company does, Frank has a job and Joe gets another 'thanks for your service.'

And finally, they need employers willing to hire 35-year-olds for entry level jobs.

Holidays don't put food on the table. Parades don't pay the light bill. Jobs do both.

[Knightraven]

10. This is very sad.

And this is happening to many Vets. Happening to many citizens.

And ya know, I don't see much about the Vets that are women in the media. They deserve respect. Hat off to ALL women warriors!

[Lunacee_2013]

11. K and R, I want everyone to see this. nt.