This article is the last of the four-part series on Maine’s veteran homelessness. 

The previous articles have indicated that there is a gap between what the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) has direct, immediate assistance to all veterans regardless of type of discharge and length of time served, and the services provided by government funded organizations, both government and non-government.  That led to starting the Maine Veterans in Need (MVN) 501(C)3 non-profit whose mission it is to provide that immediate assistance, following the direction of the USICH, and can do that because MVN does not accept government funding and relies on donations.  So, I want to provide a few examples of veterans who have been helped by MVN. 

Naturally, each situation is complicated so this is just a summary. One veteran who was in a Maine shelter found himself in Las Vegas, had a heart attack, what money he had was stolen, and had no means to get back to Maine. MVN got him a plane ticket back to Maine and coordinated his getting residence in  a cabin in the “Cabin in the Woods” complex on the VA/Togus campus. Late on a Friday night, an elderly wheelchair bound veteran with a service dog outside a Walmart in Saco was brought to MVN attention. He couldn’t get into a shelter because his dog didn’t have up to date shots. MVN got him in a hotel, paid to get the dog his shots, and ultimately got sheltered. Another veteran with alcohol problems living in a shelter needed a bus pass for transportation. MVN provided the bus pass with the condition he use it to go to the Portland VA clinic, get help and then use it to attend AA meetings. That veteran is now 19 months sober and living in his first apartment in a long time. Another disabled veteran moved into one of the Veteran Emergency Temporary Shelters (VETS trailer) that was placed in a campground. Since he didn’t have a vehicle, his ability to go shopping was limited. MVN got a large cooler, a camping stove, and a supply of food to limit the frequency he had to get to a store. Gas cards are frequently required due to the price of gas and the need to get to work. Since MVN is the only entity that is 24/7 and the number given by calling 211 and state you are a veteran needing help, the immediate help needed occurs from Friday afternoon to Monday when other help isn’t available. MVN will stabilize the situation over the weekend and ensure all the agencies that can provide assistance are made aware of the veteran’s needs and can react when their doors open on Monday morning. The Maine Bureau of Veterans Services (MBVS) is always notified and can further help coordinate the services needed.   

So, this all leads up to the need for donations to ensure MVN can continue to provide this vital need. There is no overhead to MVN.  Please consider sending a check to MVN, 64 Pegasus St., Suite 101, Brunswick, ME 04011.

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