ENDING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS
Approximately 45% of homeless veterans African American or Hispanic, despite these groups representing only 10.4 and 34% of the U.S. veteran, respectively. Homeless veterans tend to be younger on average than the overall veteran. Around 9% are between 18 and 30 years old, and 41% are between 31 and 50 years old. In contrast, only 5% of all veterans are between 18 and 30, and less than 23% are between 31 and 50.
Veterans serve in wars to protect our country and ensure our freedom. However, upon returning home, many lack support and housing. Without these essentials, they are unable to work and secure food. Veterans Kitchen of Florida aims to address this issue in Central Florida. It was established and is managed by two retired military brothers, Rich Fraser, a retired Navy officer and director, and Pete Fraser, a retired Army officer and vice president. These brothers served their country with pride and witnessed the dedication of their fellow servicemen and women.
After retiring, they observed the conditions on the streets of Hampton Roads, a community near one of the largest military bases in the U.S., and recognized the need for change in how America treats and feeds its veterans. Thus, they founded Veterans Kitchen, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to support homeless veterans until they can regain stability and find affordable housing and employment.
Veterans Kitchen collaborates with Veteran Affairs to assist when they move into new homes They provide essential kitchen items needed to prepare healthy meals, such as pots, pans, utensils, storage containers and cutlery. possible, they also microwaves, crockpots, coffee makers, toaster ovens, and grocery gift cards, within budget constraints.
Veterans Kitchen upholds its motto, "Restoring Dignity, one Vet at a time as many veterans are too proud to seek the help they desperately need. These individuals remain soldiers at heart and do not want to rely on charity.
Who We Are
Our Services
When a veteran we are assisting moves off the street into a home we outfit their kitchen with the kitchenware shown here. What we provide is the pots and pans to prepare the meal, but also the plates and flatware to serve it. This includes all the utensils used to prepare and serve the meal. We alsoprovide the essential cleaning supplies so that they can maintain their home. This is all done at no cost to the veterans.
The monies needed to do this is raised by the sale of militaria ideas. And donations from the public.
Another fact that we have encountered is the rate of veteran suicide of the effects of being homeless has affected this. By being able to assist these veterans we are in effect helping fight the battle to reduce veteran suicide. This allows us to live up to our motto "RESTORING DIGNITY, ONE VET AT A TIME."
We are a 501c3 charity as such we are registered with the IRS as such. Making all donations tax deductible. Receipts are available on request from the workers on location. Veterans Kitchen moved operations to Florida after the COVID 19 pandemic caused the business to shut down. Thus becoming Veterans Kitchen of Florida, as the base in Virginia was shut down, and Florida became our base of operations.
Our History
Veterans Kitchen Inc. was started in 2014 by two (2) brothers who were tired of seeing homeless veterans standing on street corners begging for money to survive. These brothers one retired from the Army as an officer, after 30 years, and the other as a 23-year retired enlisted veteran from the Navy.They felt the need for some sort of help was needed to get these vets a way to survive. First, Veterans Kitchen Inc. was going to provide meals to these vets, so the director approached the homeless coordinator as to where we could find these vets to take them food to ensure they were getting a healthy meal. The homeless coordinator said why don't you help us transition the veterans into housing. Which sounded like a good idea for both sides, so we looked at the best ways to help these vets, and because our name was Veterans Kitchen Inc., we decided that we would provide the items that would allow them to prepare a healthy meal.
HISTORY OF PTSD
HISTORY OF PTSD
Some get the help they need, but there are some who try to deal with it in their own way. This way a great deal the time leads to alcohol and drug abuse to get rid of the demons in their head. These are what is needed is a way to properly care veterans who end up on the street.
What is going to be needed to end this cycle?
To break this cycle, let us first commend the VA's HUD/VASH program, which is doing an outstanding job. The HUD/VASH program works impressively with limited resources. However, they have rules: for instance, when a veteran completes rehab and qualifies for a HUD/VASH voucher, they are given a list of apartments for the voucher, usually in Section 8 housing. Unfortunately, these, having just exited rehab, placed back into the same environment. A "things to do" list should encourage availability of better housing to placing temptation before them and give them a chance to succeed.