Local veterans helping homeless veterans

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WISH) – Founded by a few retired veterans, “Homestead of our Heroes” is working to help the homeless here in Indianapolis. Right now the group has a Facebook page and a GoFundMe page so they can start raising money, they also have a lot of passion.

The group said there are about 2,000 homeless veterans in Indianapolis. The latest count was taken in January, but they said that number doesn’t represent the number of veterans living with family or friends, on couches or even in their cars.

The average wait time for a homeless veteran to get into an open bed in an Indianapolis facility is about three weeks. The group said they saw a gap in services and now their mission is to provide permanent housing and personal independence. They want to provide intensive case management, mental health counseling, financial counseling, substance abuse counseling as well as employment services.

“Everybody should care,” said Founder Darell Johnson. “Me being a veteran, it pulls it pulls at me. The passion that we all share and our organization with others, it’s the passion and heart that we carry for all of our heroes in America.”

“Our mission among others is to be able to reach into those cracks that aren’t being reached into right now,” said Co-founder Chris Johnson. “With certain guidelines, certain restrictions, we’re wanting to be able to take and help every individual that walks in the door of our facility at Homestead of our Heroes. We want to be able to help that person no matter what their need is no matter their concern.”

Right now money raised will go towards legal costs and some marketing costs. They are also planning to talk to Mayor Hogsett about utilizing abandoned schools. Those buildings could be repurposed to use for housing for about 100 homeless veterans.

The group will be fundraising this weekend at the Indy 500, 16th and Main Street, as well as 15th and Main Street.