After a one-year hiatus from the Human Services Campus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Catholic Charities/MANA House Veterans Outreach Center (VOC) has reopened.
The VOC is located in the Lodestar Day Resource Center. Its small staff are all veterans who have experienced homelessness. The staff brings a unique understanding to the veteran brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness, and works to connect veterans to the best services for their needs.
Shortly after reopening, a desperate 70-year-old homeless veteran visited our office. He felt hopeless and helpless. After assessing his needs, the VOC staff connected him with the VA. He was placed in Catholic Charities/ MANA House transitional housing that day.
Since then, the VOC staff have been able to facilitate the movement of other veterans into transitional or permanent housing. Staff recently helped a veteran move out of the Safe Outdoor Space into his home after Community Bridges was able secure housing for him.
The VOC provides veterans with hygiene items, clothing, computer access, help with filling out dd-214s, and other immediate needs.
A key concept for the VOC staff is collaboration—collaboration with campus partners, the VA, community partners, and veteran service organizations. With collaboration, connections are made; and veterans reconnect with society and themselves. Learn more about Catholic Charities/MANA House.
