|
| |
WHO ARE AMERICA'S HOMELESS VETERANS?
More Than 40 Percent of Homeless Vets Served in Vietnam, Says Rescue Mission Survey Gulf
War Vets Already Account for Ten Percent (Washington, D.C.) - Nearly two-thirds of the
U.S. veterans seeking shelter in America's Rescue Missions served in Korea, Vietnam or the
Persian Gulf, according to a nationwide survey released this morning by the International
Union of Gospel Missions (IUGM). Vietnam veterans account for 42 percent, followed by
Korean War veterans with 10 percent and Gulf War vets with 10 percent.
The survey of more than 1,200 veterans was conducted in late October by 58 Rescue missions
around the nation. This year's veterans survey was part of IUGM's annual survey of
America's homeless. Missions interviewed more than 11,000 men; of these 32 percent, were
found to be veterans.
"America's armed forces have a deservedly honored place in our country," said
Rev. Stephen E. Burger, executive director of the Kansas City-based IUGM.
"Unfortunately, the evidence is clear that many veterans who served our nation
honorably have had difficulty making the transition to civilian life. In particular,
veterans who served in conflicts are far more likely to be living at our Rescue
missions."
"I'm shocked and saddened, but not really surprised at the figure for Vietnam
vets," said Rev. Duane Gartland, a partially disabled Vietnam combat veteran, who
runs Pittsburgh's Light of Life Ministry with his brother Dennis, also a Vietnam veteran.
"Vietnam put many wonderful kids through a grinder. Now they're adults and they
depend on our Rescue missions."
Another finding of the study shows that the vast majority of veterans at Rescue missions
served in the Armed Forces for at least three years. Only 25 percent served two or fewer
years. The years-of-service breakdown is as follows:
3-4 years service: 44 percent 5-6 years service: 15 percent 7-9 years service: 7 percent
10 or more years: 9 percent "We're caring for men and women who have spent
considerable time in the service," said Rev. Burger, "It shows that despite all
the training and discipline, there are still many who simply cannot cope with an uncaring
civilian life. After all, a lot of civilians aren't necessarily impressed at someone's
ability to drive a tank."
Air Force veteran James VarnHagen, executive director of the New York City Rescue Mission,
agrees: "The fact that three-quarters of the vets at our Rescue missions served at
least three years is striking. But no matter how disciplined a person is, the stress of
adjusting to civilian life can lead to drugs or excessive drinking."
The survey asked veterans for the decade in which they were discharged. The 1970s
accounted for 33 percent of all discharges, followed by the 1980s and 1960s with 20
percent each. 12 percent of vets were discharged during the 1990s; 11 percent were
discharged during the 1950s. The rest (4 percent) left the service prior to 1950.
The survey asked veterans in which branch of the Armed Forces they served. Forty-nine
percent said they served in the Army, followed by 19 percent in the Navy, 18 percent in
the Marines, 12 percent in the Air Force and two percent in the Coast Guard.
Men accounted for 96 percent of those surveyed. Racially, the breakdown of veterans is 51
percent Caucasian, 37 percent African-American, and six percent Hispanic.
In terms of type of discharge, 71 percent reported receiving an honorable discharge. 17
percent received general discharges; 7 percent, medical discharges; and 5 percent,
dishonorable discharges. "These men served their nation honorably," said Rev.
Burger, "I'm surprised the honorable discharge figure is so high. It certainly runs
against the homeless stereotype."
IUGM member missions provide emergency food and shelter, youth and family services,
rehabilitation programs for the addicted, and assistance to the elderly poor and at-risk
youth. Last year, IUGM Rescue missions served more than 30 million meals, provided 12
million nights lodging, distributed more than 24 million pieces of clothing and graduated
more than 20,000 homeless men and women into productive living.
Further information is available on the IUGM's website.
INTERNATIONAL UNION OF GOSPEL MISSIONS
Veteran's Survey - October, 1997
1. Which branch of the service were you in?
Army 49%
Navy 19%
Marines 19% A
Air Force 12%
Coast Guard 1%
2. Which of the following (if any) are true:
I served in Korea during the Korean War 10%
I served in Vietnam during the Vietnam Conflict 42%
I served in the Persian Gulf region during the Gulf War 10%
3. The total number of years you spent in the armed forces:
Less than 2 yrs 25%
3-4 yrs 44%
5-6 yrs 15%
7-9 yrs 7%
10+ yrs 9%
4. In what decade did you leave the armed forces?
Before 1950 4%
1950 - 1959 11%
1960 - 1969 20%
1970 - 1979 33%
1980 - 1989 20%
1990 - 1997 12%
5. What type of discharge did you receive?
Honorable 71%
General 17%
Medical 7%
Dishonorable 5%
6. You are:
Male 96%
Female 4%
7. You are :
Caucasian 51%
African-American 37%
Hispanic 6%
Other 6%
For more information contact:
Phil Rydman, Director of Communications & Development
Phone: 816-471-8020
Want more? Then go to Why Are People Homeless? for
the National Coalition for the Homeless Fact Sheet on the causes of homelessness -- a
clue: it's the economy, stupid, or, put another way, POVERTY !!!
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans runs a
great site, with a lot of research and a state-by-state listing of the number of homeless
vets in each. Their Fact Sheet indicates an estimated 275,000 veterans are homeless on any
given night and twice that number experience homelessness over the course of a year.
Then, there's the National Law Center on Homelessness and
Poverty with a LOT of Advocacy areas and links.
[TOP] [Back to Homeless] [Home]
info@advocate4texas.4mg.com
|
Advocate F