Giving hope to homeless veterans

The best thing to happen to a veteran, after having been through the horrors of combat, is to come home.

But sometimes there is no home to come home to. Or there was a place to live, but it was lost because of economic circumstances, or it became a struggle to keep up with the mortgage payments or rent and manage household affairs because of personal, physical or mental health problems.

So these veterans find themselves on the streets, far out of the American mainstream of happiness and security they fought to preserve.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that on any given night, 194,254 veterans are without permanent shelter.

Of these homeless veterans, 2,243 are in Illinois.

What do many of these veterans do while the rest of us cuddle up under the covers? They are out in the dark, looking for a place that will give them a bed and a meal. And it goes on and on like this every night.

Men and women with Purple Hearts wander the streets with broken hearts.

But some are lucky. They find a place that not only gives them shelter, but hope.

Such as the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton.

Under the guidance of executive director Tom Mouhelis and his staff, veterans aren't given just a place to sleep but a range of services aimed at getting them back into a place of their own, free of the demons that prevented them holding a job and living independent and fulfilled lives. The veterans at this transitional living facility get therapy, counseling, substance abuse treatment, job training and education programs.

These services are vital. Many homeless veterans suffer from a mental illness or addiction or have trouble coping with post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by their military service.

High expectations are placed upon these veterans to move on to a better life, though compassion for their plight is not lost upon the staff.

"But for a few fortunate turn of events, I could've been in the same situation many of these guys are in," Mouhelis said. He is a veteran himself, a retired major in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

The state needs more places like the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, which is expanding with the hope of eventually providing services to up to 25 veterans at once. And the shelter needs your help. There is a variety of volunteer positions available to help the veterans, and donations of supplies and cash are always welcome. The shelter can be reached at (630) 871-8387, or through its Web site, www.helpaveteran.org

These veterans fought for their country. They should not have to fight to survive on cold, harsh streets, where there are no medals for bravery.