CIVIC MENTOR / HUMAN MISERY / Ending Veteran Homelessness by 2015?

Posted: 19 Nov 14

2015 -- THAT'S THE OFFICIAL GOAL DEADLINE

And, it is a wonderfully significant one, indeed

 In 2009, the President and VA declared the goal to end Vet Homelessness by 2015. 

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Posted on Facebook by Jacqui L. and passed forward by my FB friend, Mitch -- thanks to them both!

Cartoons like these reflect human compassion and I think, big, caring hearts.  But, these are pieces of a huge puzzle -- and LOTS of other pieces are coming together because of the sensitization of the people and their government (through such posters AND all the other things that move us from blindness into the light).

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WE are the government -- AND THE GOVERNMENT IS US.

1.  You'll be pleased to know that the momentum we need, so desperately, is building. I've seen it with my own eyes -- I've volunteered for three glorious, extremely successful life-salvaging regional events -- with similar ones going on, all over the nation -- and more are a-building.  They are called "Veteran Stand-downs (click here)" -- and are significant puzzle-pieces, among the other pieces being fitted -- to produce a much more beautiful social picture than we now have.

Here is one of my reports on my personal experience of one of the three stand-downs, I've participated in -- in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.   

I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SEEN A FINER EXECUTION OF AN IDEA THAT IS SO WORTHWHILE.

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2.  It's frustrating (and harmful) that Veteran Homelessness (or any homelessness) is still a "fact of life" -- for now (till we fix it) -- and the sometimes very limited, but essential, good we each do -- may not always feel like it, but it adds SIGNIFICANTLY, without the slightest doubt, to the problem-solving chain-reaction that unites us. And, it makes us better people -- in the trying -- in displaying our compassion to ourselves and others -- in hopes of stimulating more of the same -- and because it FEELS SO GOOD, SO RIGHT!

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3.  NOW, TAKE HEART.  In 2009, the President and VA declared the goal to end Vet Homelessness by 2015. 

One day in January 2014, there were just under 50,000 homeless vets. I don't yet know its exact progress, but from the indications I am seeing, progress is moving in the right direction  -- and it will be achieved, I have no doubt --  I'm still checking for any revisions to the planned time-frame -- so, success may be sooner than expected -- or later.

And, so much more that is favorable is going on -- still beneath many "radar screens" -- and is accelerating, with 2015 looming so large and so very near.

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4.  The link, below, opens up the VA's plan -- and by our knowing what's been done, so far -- and what is intended -- we can see what's left to do -- and, perhaps, how we can best help to push "the boulder" over the hill -- and achieve a much-coveted national triumph.

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Here is the story of the 2015-Goal -- on the VA website:

 http://www.va.gov/homeless/about_the_initiative.asp

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WE CAN DO THIS -- AND WE MUST.

Got any ideas?  I sure do.

David Nelson

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