TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – East Texas communities came together Thursday to provide services and resources to homeless veterans.
Michael Stearns is one of the thousands of homeless veterans in the United States.
“The population of homeless veterans is growing and this is definitely an issue that we need to address as a community, as a country and as a state,” said CampV Executive Director Travis Gladhill.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 9.7% of Texas veterans have become homeless within the past year, an all-time low. East Texas still has the second-largest veteran population of any state.
The East Texas community came together to provide a variety of resources and services just for them, including haircuts.
“I want it all bald, but I just want to shave off a little bit at the top,” Stearns said as she styled her hair.
CampV and other organizations in East Texas aim to provide homeless veterans with important services such as immunizations, medical care, employment and housing information in one central location.
“I definitely see this as a very big impact of hopefully getting them into a better situation, not homeless,” Gladhill said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”
Like Stearns, many veterans served their country and later faced homelessness.
“No one wants to be homeless,” Stearns said. “One thing about homeless people is that they all stick together. It’s amazing, the love they show for each other. It’s kind of true. It’s just amazing to see a big happy family. , it’s not fake.
East Texas communities strive to make every day a Veterans Day by providing them with resources like today.
“Veterans should never be homeless after serving their country,” said Yvonne Mann, Women’s Coordinator at CampV.
Stearns said she felt welcomed and appreciated today.
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