Re: Veteran Homelessness - Assorted Topics

by Cooper Mon 03 Jun 2019, 8:04 am

June 2, 2019

24-hour Spin for a Veteran event in Calgary raises money for homeless vets

Veteran Homelessness - Assorted Topics - Page 5 Spin-1-e1559513343262

https://globalnews.ca/news/5344326/spin-for-a-veteran-homeless-calgary/

by Cooper Mon 03 Jun 2019, 8:31 am

CP's Spin for a Veteran raises $505,000; building five more homes for homeless veterans

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Canadian Pacific
Jun 03, 2019, 07:00 ET

CALGARY, June 3, 2019 /CNW/ - The Homes for Heroes Foundation (the Foundation) and Canadian Pacific (CP) are proud to announce the third annual Spin for a Veteran event held this past weekend beat expectations and raised more than $505,000, which will go towards building homes for homeless veterans. To date, this event has raised approximately $800,000 to support homeless veterans reintegrating into civilian life. Each $100,000 raised represents the organization's ability to build one home, bringing CP's total to eight homes.

Veteran Homelessness - Assorted Topics - Page 5 Canadian_Pacific_CP_s_Spin_for_a_Veteran_raises__505_000__buildi

Team CP Veterans celebrates their win. Pictured left to right: Rory Thompson, Manager Diversity and Military Relations, Craig Volstad, Senior Project Manager IS, Simon Naylor, Specialist Network Car Maintenance, Patrick Tait, Manager Leadership Programs, Scott MacDonald, Senior Vice-President Operations System and Dan Partridge, Senior Auditor. (CNW Group/Canadian Pacific)

Held on Canadian Armed Forces Day, CP's Spin for a Veteran had 18 teams of CP employees, local companies and emergency services riding for 24 hours in a spin competition to see who could ride the farthest. Teams including CP, ATCO, Calgary Police Service and Lord Strathcona's Horse Regiment rode a total distance of 14,290 kilometres, equivalent to travelling from Vancouver, B.C. to Cape Spear, Newfoundland and back again. The CP Veterans team pushed through and won the competition, covering 925 kilometres.

"CP has a long history of supporting the military and we are proud to have our employees rally behind this important cause," said CP Senior Vice-President, Operations System and Canadian veteran Scott MacDonald. "It's an honour and a privilege to support our Canadian veterans in their time of need as they so selflessly stood on guard for this great country. This event is a means to increase support to help combat veteran homelessness in Calgary."

Thousands of Canadians who have fought in the armed forces are without homes due to challenges they face transitioning out of active duty. The Foundation's mandate is to provide housing and the framework needed to ensure a successful transition into civilian life to those who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces.

"The funds raised will be used to build affordable homes in a community of peers with a support structure designed to meet individual needs, and provide a sense of place and belonging for Canadian military veterans experiencing homelessness," said Homes for Heroes Foundation Co-founder and President Dave Howard. "Homes for Heroes is very fortunate to have the support from local businesses like CP to host this spectacular event each year and raise money to help the Foundation build homes in veterans village. We owe it to our Canadian soldiers to help them through the challenging times they might be encountering, and we believe we have a solution to end the homeless issues they're facing."

The Homes for Heroes veterans village will be a unique tiny-home community that offers a solution to the homeless Canadian military veterans. Each home will be named after a Canadian soldier who lost his or her life in Afghanistan. The community is scheduled to open fall 2019. You can donate online at Spin4Vets.com.

"I commend CP and their employees for their ongoing efforts to support Canada's Veterans through the Spin for a Veteran initiative," said Minister of National Defence, The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan. "Events like this one allow Canadians to demonstrate gratitude for the service of our women and men in uniform. I wish the organizers and participants every success in achieving their fundraising goals this year."

"I have seen first-hand the commitment CP has made to supporting veterans," said CP Manager Diversity and Military Relations Rory Thompson, a British military veteran. "CP recognizes and values the skills and experiences that veterans obtain throughout their military service and as such has established a very credible Military Recruitment Program which assists veterans with gaining employment."

Follow Spin for a Veteran on Facebook for updates on future events. CP wants to be the employer of choice for military veterans. Visit https://www.cpr.ca/veterans for more.

About Homes for Heroes
Homes for Heroes Foundation is a registered charity with the goal to build tiny-home villages in all major cities across Canada. In order to be successful, Homes for Heroes is looking for further financial support and land donations. To learn more and support Homes for Heroes visit https://homesforheroesfoundation.ca/

About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP.

SOURCE Canadian Pacific

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/cp-s-spin-for-a-veteran-raises-505-000-building-five-more-homes-for-homeless-veterans-863744131.html

by Terrarium Wed 05 Jun 2019, 3:43 pm

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MPs across party lines call for new housing subsidy to help homeless veterans

Jun 05, 2019

https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2019/06/05/mps-across-party-lines-call-for-new-housing-subsidy-to-help-homeless-veterans/

by Stealth Wed 05 Jun 2019, 9:20 pm

Veteran living out of van sheds light on 'national disgrace'

June 5, 2019

by Stealth Wed 05 Jun 2019, 9:22 pm

Homeless veterans falling through the gaps in Canada

June 5, 2019

by Dragonforce Thu 06 Jun 2019, 7:14 am

June 5, 2019

Cross-party group of MPs call for housing stipend for veterans

https://globalnews.ca/news/5357256/veterans-housing-subsidy-mps/

by Dragonforce Thu 06 Jun 2019, 7:17 am

POLITICS
06/05/2019

Parliament Members Across Parties Call For Veteran Housing Subsidy On D-Day 75th Anniversary

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Liberal MP Neil Ellis during a press conference on his motion M-225 on Parliament Hill on June 5, 2019.

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/mps-parliament-veteran-housing-subsidy-dday-military_ca_5cf836aae4b0e3e3df14cbf1

by Ranger Thu 06 Jun 2019, 1:42 pm

NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT: Thousands of Canadian veterans are homeless

by Roberto Wakerell-Cruz - June 6, 2019

Veteran Homelessness - Assorted Topics - Page 5 Homeless-1140x570

Veteran Homelessness - Assorted Topics - Page 5 Homeless-1140x570

https://www.thepostmillennial.com/canada-has-a-homeless-veteran-problem/

by Jackson Thu 06 Jun 2019, 9:05 pm

Outpouring of support for homeless veteran living out of her van

CTVNews.ca Staff, with a report from CTV Ottawa’s Joanne Schnurr
Published Thursday, June 6, 2019

A homeless veteran living out of her van has received offers of money, employment and places to stay from people in Ottawa and across the country.

“I think it's amazing because I've been trying so hard,” military veteran Diane Claveau told CTV Ottawa. She’d served in the army for eight years but has recently been living out of her van parked in the lot of a big box store.

“It's hard to end up this way, working all your life and ending up like this,” the 56-year-old had

A day after she shared her story, Claveau feels overwhelmed by the response from Canadians and organizations across the country.

She has received offers of help to write her resume, supplies of food, a place to stay and even potential offers of employment.

“I think I'm going to have a job. And the rent should come soon after. Once I have my first pay cheque, I'll be able to have a place to stay,” Claveau said.

She said having a stable source of income and a roof over her head would mean so much.

“To me, living is getting up in the morning and go to work, have friends, have a life, a place to stay. Now, I'm not living,” she had said previously. “It's the opposite. Sometimes, I feel I'm dying.”

VETS’ GROUP VOLUNTEER: ‘FOR ME, IT'S PAYING IT FORWARD’

One of the groups stepping up to help Claveau is Veterans Emergency Transition Services (VETS) Canada, which aims to ensure that veterans are properly housed.

Every month, the group goes into shelters across the country looking for homeless veterans.

During the winter months, VETS has put Claveau up in an apartment and the group said it would be willing to help her again.

“There's nothing we won't help with to get them back on their feet to make sure they have a successful transition,” the group’s founder Debbie Lowther said. This also includes helping veterans with tracking down a job.

The group said it’s already received a call from a landlord offering to give Claveau a place to stay.

But without referring to her in particular, Lowther said vets have to be willing to get the help they need.

“Our volunteers and staff will work as hard as we can to help [veterans] out of a tough situation but veterans have to be willing to work just as hard,” she said. “And sometimes, there comes a point in time when you realize your volunteers are working harder than the veteran.”

One of the veterans who has benefitted is Robert Praet, who was homeless when he first arrived in Ottawa, but now volunteers with the group.

“For me, it's paying it forward. They helped me, and I'm capable of helping VETS Canada get to the vets who need it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Veterans' Affairs Canada told CTV Ottawa it will work with Claveau to get her the support she needs. But she’s isn’t fully convinced yet, saying, “It's good to hear. And we'll see.”

Latest government data suggest 2,250 veterans use homeless shelters every year.

Although there are no definitive statistics, according to several studies there are an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 homeless veterans across Canada.

- - -

If you are or know any veterans in need of appropriate housing or employment, contact:

*Veterans Affairs Canada through their website,

*VETS Canada online or by phone at 1 888-228-3871 or

*Royal Canadian Legion at 613-591-3335 or toll-free at 1-877-534-4666

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/outpouring-of-support-for-homeless-veteran-living-out-of-her-van-1.4455605

by Firestrike Fri 07 Jun 2019, 8:03 am

MPs call for housing subsidy for homeless veterans | Power & Politics

CBC News
Published on Jun 6, 2019

by **Rockarm** Sun 09 Jun 2019, 8:20 am

June 8 2019

GLOBAL NATIONAL
June 8 2019 5:30pm 02:16
Tour of duty to help homeless Canadian veterans

A new coordinated effort by retired soldiers is helping our homeless Canadian veterans. As Abigail Bimman reports, there are calls for the federal government to do more.

https://globalnews.ca/video/5370145/tour-of-duty-to-help-homeless-canadian-veterans

by Glideon Wed 12 Jun 2019, 6:48 pm

June 12, 2019

Motion to end veteran homelessness by 2025 dies without a vote

https://globalnews.ca/news/5381921/motion-to-end-veteran-homelessness-by-2025-dies-without-a-vote/

by **Vizzer** Thu 13 Jun 2019, 8:05 pm

June 13, 2019

House of Commons unanimously adopts motion urging end to veteran homelessness

The House of Commons unanimously adopted a motion on Thursday recognizing the need to combat veteran homelessness.

https://globalnews.ca/news/5386871/homeless-veterans-motion-gets-unanimous-consent/

by Ravenson Fri 14 Jun 2019, 8:33 am

After partisan bickering, House backs motion to end veterans homelessness

Veteran Homelessness - Assorted Topics - Page 5 Image

The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, June 13, 2019 2:11PM EDT
Last Updated Thursday, June 13, 2019 3:57PM EDT

The House of Commons has supported a backbench MP's bid to have the government work to end veterans homelessness after days of partisan bickering.

The motion from Ontario Liberal MP Neil Ellis asked his own government to craft a plan to end homelessness among veterans by 2025, in part by creating a subsidy similar to one in the United States that's credited with helping to cut in half the number of homeless American veterans.

What MPs agreed to was to call on the government to deliver a plan by this time next year to meet the 2025 goal.

Debate on the motion ended Tuesday with the Liberals blaming the Opposition Conservatives for not agreeing to an immediate vote, likely leaving the motion to die when the next election is called.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chimed in Wednesday during the daily question period, saying the government supports the motion and blaming the Conservatives for putting "partisanship ahead of helping veterans."

Conservative critic Karen Vecchio took issue with Trudeau's criticism, including a tweet blaming her for not supporting the motion. She asked the Commons for its agreement to pass the motion, which MPs voted to do immediately.

"Unanimity is so nice when it happens," said Speaker Geoff Regan.

MPs broke out in applause, with several heading over to Vecchio to shake her hand.

"You've got the unwavering support of our government and now all party support to end veteran homelessness," Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay wrote on Twitter. "Now let' get it done."

The motion isn't binding on the government, but advocates see it as a symbolic victory on an issue that successive governments have not tackled.

In a statement, Ellis said he is humbled the House of Commons has backed a timeline for eliminating veteran homelessness.

Accurate data about the number of homeless veterans in Canada remains elusive but various studies peg the number between 3,000 and 5,000 -- possibly more, since homeless counts and shelter studies rely on veterans to self-identify -- with about 10 per cent of those being women.

"I'm so glad that the House recognizes the need to move forward, together, to turn this number into a zero," said Ellis, who chairs the House of Commons veterans-affairs committee.

Veterans groups have been waiting for a dedicated strategy for more than a decade, despite multiple drafts circulated in Veterans Affairs Canada since at least 2017. In April, Ellis's committee released a report that asked the government to "create a rent supplement for veterans who are homeless" as part of a broad action plan.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/after-partisan-bickering-house-backs-motion-to-end-veterans-homelessness-1.4465111

by Delta Thu 20 Jun 2019, 8:38 pm

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James French collected donations for poppies in November, 2018 for the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Fund.

Once-homeless Lower Mainland veteran hopes government provides help

MATTHEW CLAXTON / Jun. 20, 2019

https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/james-french-formerly-sgt-french-found-himself-on-the-streets-in-langley-a-few-years-ago/

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