trying to help one of our iraqi war vets - frustrated

[F6Broy]

Pilotguy299, it's a noble and kind thing you are trying to do As a Army vet and a guy whose career put me in contact with a lot of these folks I can suggest this. I am sure as big as Frederick has grown they have a VA office there. They will have a person there who works an outreach program usually in conjunction with a group like the Salvation Army, that targets homeless vets. They will be glad to hook him up with whatever he is entitled to. I know we have such a program here. A friendly word of warning . A large percentage of these folks that are homeless or asking for money claim to be vets, many are not. They always try to avoid the VA. An outreach person with any experience could tell after a couple minutes. Good luck and bless you for your good heart. F6Broy

[pilotguy299]

Pilotguy299, it's a noble and kind thing you are trying to do As a Army vet and a guy whose career put me in contact with a lot of these folks I can suggest this. I am sure as big as Frederick has grown they have a VA office there. They will have a person there who works an outreach program usually in conjunction with a group like the Salvation Army, that targets homeless vets. They will be glad to hook him up with whatever he is entitled to. I know we have such a program here. A friendly word of warning . A large percentage of these folks that are homeless or asking for money claim to be vets, many are not. They always try to avoid the VA. An outreach person with any experience could tell after a couple minutes. Good luck and bless you for your good heart. F6Broy

thank you for the suggestion and for the warning. I have seen his CAC card and 214, so he's not a scammer. and the other thing is that he does not accept anything without a lot of pushing. he will only eventually except so much I even then there's an awful lot he refuses to take from people.

[rudymsmith]

Mental illness creates huge barriers when trying to help folks out.
Folks with mental illness do not want to admit they have a problem and or do not believe they have a problem. Some may, at the insistence of their family, get temporarily admitted for diagnosis and treatment but most stop taking their meds just weeks out of the hospital.
Normally a city has some social workers ... etc... who monitor the homeless population; also wise to check with the police force to see if they are aware of this VETS dilemma and location. They may know him well but ignore him since he stays way below their crazy radar.
Mental illness is the world of the Psychiatrists and psychologists but it often ends up in a social workers lap just do to the pass the problem attitude that exists in the U.S. since we emptied out the mental institutions starting back in the late 60's.
I tried to help a couple of these homeless folks / Vets out and it bit me and I learned that my job was to talk, encourage and offer support but to avoid becoming the thing they were dependent on - that can ruin your life. Good Luck.
Have you learned who his family is and where they live?

[wjduke]

Mental illness creates huge barriers when trying to help folks out.
Folks with mental illness do not want to admit they have a problem and or do not believe they have a problem. Some may, at the insistence of their family, get temporarily admitted for diagnosis and treatment but most stop taking their meds just weeks out of the hospital.
Normally a city has some social workers ... etc... who monitor the homeless population; also wise to check with the police force to see if they are aware of this VETS dilemma and location. They may know him well but ignore him since he stays way below their crazy radar.
Mental illness is the world of the Psychiatrists and psychologists but it often ends up in a social workers lap just do to the pass the problem attitude that exists in the U.S. since we emptied out the mental institutions starting back in the late 60's.
I tried to help a couple of these homeless folks / Vets out and it bit me and I learned that my job was to talk, encourage and offer support but to avoid becoming the thing they were dependent on - that can ruin your life. Good Luck.
Have you learned who his family is and where they live?

You put this more eloquently than I could. This is screaming mental illness. He doesn't want help but is out in public. Maybe he could be taken in as a loiterer, then get the mental care he needs. I wonder why he's allowed to stay out like that. It's illegal in most places, I would think. I'm not saying toss him in jail, but it could begin a process that isn't happening right now.

[willtill]

You put this more eloquently than I could. This is screaming mental illness. He doesn't want help but is out in public. Maybe he could be taken in as a loiterer, then get the mental care he needs. I wonder why he's allowed to stay out like that. It's illegal in most places, I would think. I'm not saying toss him in jail, but it could begin a process that isn't happening right now.

It's not illegal to be homeless

Sounds like he's was a 13F or 13D (Fire Direction control specialist). working in a FDC maybe... they're the smarter of the gun bunnies that man the cannons.

[wjduke]

It's not illegal to be homeless

Sounds like he's was a 13F or 13D (Fire Direction control specialist). working in a FDC maybe... they're the smarter of the gun bunnies that man the cannons.

I didn't mean it in that way Will. It is illegal in many places to just camp out wherever you feel like it. He could live in the woods and not be seen. I meant it in that respect. I'm not diminishing the situation.

[willtill]

I didn't mean it in that way Will. It is illegal in many places to just camp out wherever you feel like it. He could live in the woods and not be seen. I meant it in that respect. I'm not diminishing the situation.

I know. I didn't mean to insinuate your post in a negative way either. I was just making a general statement about the homeless.


Hey Piloyguy299? Is he staying in the Walmart parking lot (east side) off of MD 85?