Many people were off from work on Monday in observance of Veterans Day and spent the day at home. But, there are thousands of veterans who have no place to call home.
More than 40,000 veterans are homeless on any given night across the country according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“It’s a shame that a nation with so much wealth, we have people who laid their lives on the line for our country but don’t have a place to lay their head at night,” said Christopher Knestrick, Director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.
Joyce Robinson is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. She’s also a veteran.
“When people call, the first question I ask, are you a veteran because there are services for you,” said Robinson. She knows what it’s like to be on the other end of the phone because she has been homeless. “I became homeless because I lost my job,” explained Robinson.
Lovel Henderson started the Connecting Point in 2011 when he retired from his job at the VA. The Connecting Point helps homeless veterans navigate the system, connecting them to the services available to veterans. “A lot of times veterans don’t know the right place to go for help,” said Henderson.
