Homeward Bound of WNC, a nonprofit based in Buncombe and Henderson counties, works with others to end the cycle of homelessness. We will examine the problem of veteran homelessness in our community, at our Forum on Veteran Homelessness.
This year the annual Point in Time count, (a count
of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people on a single night in January
across the nation) found that of the 562 people experiencing homelessness in
our community, 37% were veterans.
Veterans become homeless due to many factors – from
extreme shortage of affordable housing, lack of income, access to healthcare
and the lingering effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and
substance abuse. All of these factors are made worse by a lack of social
support.
Homeward Bound’s Executive Director, Brian Alexander
says, “No one who has served
our country should be left to live in a car, a camp or a shelter. Our community
has the solution to veteran homelessness – permanent housing. We look forward
to examining this problem and how together we can solve it in greater depth
with the community.”
Join us on Thursday November 12, 2015 at Celine
& Co. at On Broadway from 5:30 – 8 PM, as we explore this social crisis
in depth and examine solutions that work. The Forum is presented by AVL
Technologies, with support from Chitwood and Fairbairn, PA, Tryon Distributing
and the Lenoir-Rhyne Center for Graduate Studies at Asheville.
Jas Boothe, an Army veteran who gave 15 years
of service and was herself homeless is giving the keynote speech. She founded
Final Salute, Inc. to address female veteran homelessness.
A panel discussion will follow her speech focusing
on the local problem and solutions. The panel will include Ms. Boothe, local
experts and people who have experienced homelessness.
Tickets are $25 and include a fantastic
meal with vegan options, provided by the chefs at Celine & Co. Tickets can
be purchased on EventBrite.com (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/forum-on-veteran-homelessness-tickets-18555686558?aff=es2)
or through www.homewardbound.wnc.org
For more information, please contact: Beth Russo at
beth@homewardboundwnc.org or at 828.258.1695. Ext. 111.
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