wounded warriors

Forward Observer — Veterans Sanctuary is Gone, but Something of It Remains

LVMAC Poster Art 2005As most already know, Veterans Sanctuary unfortunately is no more. It ceased to be after a troubled ten months of operation last year. The building, which was the physical shell for a sophisticated therapeutic approach to treating our returning war veterans, both men and women, when they suffered from chronic addiction to drugs or alcohol and profound war-induced trauma, figuratively collapsed for lack of local county, state and federal government support – only the City of Allentown had assisted.

But a light still shines. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Still Serving Homeless Veterans

Our Only Homeless Veterans Shelter in the Lehigh Valley Seeks Your Assistance

Victory House LogoIt may not be as fashionable these days to talk about transition shelters for the chronic homelessness, with all the new emphasis on Housing First models (permanent housing with at least initial case management) and preventive services, but like shoes for feet, “one size does not fit all.” There is a place for this service which wraps itself around a chronically homeless veteran and assists him/her in recovery to the point that he/she resumes a productive life – and being concerned about the continuum of care often needed afterwards. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Last Call for Our Fishing Folks

LAST CALL!
TIME CHANGE DUE SUMMER’S EXTREME HEAT

PHWFFI Mini-Outing 15Jul2014 FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

FLY FISHING OUTING
Tuesday July 15th 2014
BOB SAKS’ POND
4 PM TO 8 PM

Dear Vets and Volunteers,

A Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Mini-Outing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15th 2014 at Bob Saks’ Pond between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. This is an informal day of fishing for fun. There will be no schedule to follow. The group will be limited to the first 10 vets and 10 instructors who return the pre-registration form below. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Volunteers Needed for the Wheelchair Games in the Lehigh Valley Suburb of Philadelphia

34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games LogoVolunteers are now being sought to help with the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Philadelphia during the period 12 through 17 August 2014. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America are “co-presenting” or hosting the Games, the largest of its kind in the world, and expected to attract more than 500 veterans athletes with spinal cord injuries, amputations or serious neurological disorders. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Rotary Club of Bethlehem Falls In to Help Our Local Veterans and Their Families

Bethlehem Rotary Tastes&Tunes Flyer 5Oct2014The Rotary Club of Bethlehem, via a fundraiser in the Fall (5 October), has decided to support the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council in its efforts to help military veterans who could use special assistance. The Council is thankful to them for their willingness to help us in serving this important segment of our society and our local community; and their effort neatly dovetails with needs being generated by some of our alliance efforts. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Their American Dream is Homelessness?

One Way You Can Help Your Homeless Veterans Locally – Find Them, Gather Them

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Not all who are homeless deserve their circumstance. Good families are affected nowadays. We of the Lehigh Valley are a hardy people, but living on the streets or in pioneer camps should not be our final option. It is an unfortunate reality nonetheless.

Pioneer Camp (courtesy of Clinic Valor Foundation)It seems doubly a shame for our community when one who has honorably served and actually fought for his or her country is found in such a condition. Whether it is this veteran’s pride or behavior, or a combination of both, that has led to the situation should not matter to us – we can always find a plausible excuse for inaction.

As the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) activates its new Lehigh Valley Homeless Veterans Action Committee to attack veteran’s homelessness as a regional problem, one of its participants is already trying to get those in the most extreme of circumstances in from the “cold.”  VALOR Clinic Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit now working its way down from the Bangor area into the wider Lehigh Valley, has taken up the mission of establishing routine stand downs in the Lehigh Valley. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — New Edition of PTSD Booklet Available

PTSD Recovery Booklet Cover, 7th Edition, 2013To meet the demand, a reprinting of Stephanie Laite Lantham’s Veterans and Families’ Guide for Recovering from PTSD is now available upon request at no cost to those who want to learn more about PTSD and want to know how to help a loved one or a friend.  The booklet has also proven unexpectedly useful to the local judiciary and municipalities as well.

“The Guide” was at one time distributed by the Military Order of Purple Heart (MOPH) to the VA Vet Centers in all 50 states. That’s how it came it first came to our attention.  We believed booklet could fulfill an additional, special need in our community if tailored to it. Fortunately, the author was willing to work with us. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Purdue Us! Want to See a Penn State Game?

PSU Military Appreciation Game Flyer 16Nov2013Hurry if you want to see a Penn State football game on 16 November for free.  They’re playing Purdue University.  The school is offering 5,000 tickets to servicemembers (reserve and active), wounded warriors, Gold Star mothers and NOW veterans of any era, to include their family members, and we hear if you register now, you are virtually assured seating.  Yes, you must register — the extended deadline is now 25 October. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago