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Each armed conflict the United States has been involved in during its history has had its share of post hostilities hostility casualties. Many of these returning veterans struggled with alcoholism, drug addiction, and withdrawal from society. The more recent conflicts, Korean War and Vietnam, have been the ones that brought to light Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its impact on a returning veteran's struggles with reentering a peaceful society.

In Vietnam, a majority of those military personnel who returned to serve multiple tours did so voluntarily. At a minimum, as a result of enlisting and immediately going on active duty, they at least knewwhat to expect.

The Iraq war has been a completely different situation. We are not only sending our active military forces to the front lines, we are also digging deep into our military Reserves. Many of our soldiers on the battlefield are accountants, lawyers, business professionals, and tradesmen. A significant number of them never anticipated being involved in an armed conflict. However, that's just where they've landed. And not just for one tour. These brave men and women have found themselves being sent back time and time again for multiple tours and being required to endure extended periods of time away from friends, family, and their civilian employment.

These multiple, non-voluntary tours have had many negative effects on the returning soldiers. After being gone for a year, returning for a few months, then leaving again, many military personnel have found themselves without a job. Repeated lengthy tours also caused the erosion of many families to the point that they see divorce as the only option and it is one that magnifies the obstacles they confront as they reenter society. Finally, the mental and emotional stress caused by sustained combat situations has greatly affected the mental stability of many of these men and women, causing them to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and other similar mental illnesses.

This isn't just becoming a problem. It already IS a problem and will continue to get worse. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are becoming homeless and at a much earlier time, from the point of their return. than in any past war. Convergent sources estimate that between 23% and 40% percent of homeless adults are US Military Veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans estimates that as many as 200,000 homeless people are veterans, and that over the course of the year, as many as 500,000 veterans experience homelessness. These are veterans of different wars, including World War II, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon; research indicates that those serving in late Vietnam and post-Vietnam era are at greatest risk of homelessness.

The people who stood up and defended the principles on which this country was founded are now in need of our help. An already overly burdened Veteran Affairs Department is on the verge of becoming completely ineffective as the result of the growing number of veterans who are experiencing severe emotional and physical problems. Recent media accounts highlight a small but growing trend of veterans fromIraq and Afghanistan showing up in shelters.

Renewed Hope believes that, if the problem is to be solved, faith must be restored in each individual veteran. The starting point is getting them off the streets and into a living facility that provides a sense of security, a respect for the issues they face, followed by programs that restore or create for the first time a belief in the individuals value to society.

Renewed Hope will provide transitional supportive housing and related services to homeless veterans and other homeless individuals for up to 24 months. During that time, Renewed Hope will focus on preparing the individual for full integration into society. In some cases, this may not be achievable which will require a placement in permanent supportive housing. Determination of each individuals future status will be made in sufficient time to allow a smooth transition to permanent housing. Renewed Hope will initially serve 15 homeless veterans. Over the course of its first 2 years, Renewed Hope will increase its staff and services to reach 30 homeless veterans

It is the objective of Renewed Hope to augment the VAs services of counseling, drug rehabilitation, and provision of prescription medication necessary to correct and/or minimize physical ailments. This objective will be accomplished through the use of case workers and residential counselors for drug rehabilitation supervision and counseling, an on-staff nurse to provide prescription medication according to physicians orders, and the provision of temporary living facilities.

As a faith-based organization, Renewed Hope will use the following methods to restore faith and a feeling of value in each individual:

1. Daily demonstration of respect for the individual;

2. Daily demonstration of a sincere concern for the individuals well being;

3. Creating or restoring their faith in Christ;

4. Identification of each persons God given talents; and

5. Instruction in how to cultivate and grow these talents in a manner that will allow each individual to choose and follow a successful career path as a result of using their strengths.

While a resident of the transitional supportive living program, each veteran will receive the customary and necessary training and supervision regarding substance use management and recovery, case management that complements the program started at the VA facility they came from, and life skills training. Appropriately trained staff members of Renewed Hope will provide case management.