A night on Skid Row with LA's homeless veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that more than 6,000 homeless veterans can be found in the Los Angeles area.

That's why The American Legion took to the streets on the night of March 25. National, state and local Legion officials and volunteers went to LA's Skid Row to seek out homeless veterans, hear their concerns and offer support.

The team included Verna Jones, executive director of The American Legion in Washington, D.C. , and Hugh Crooks, National Executive Committeeman for the Department of California, along with Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Director Louis Celli and Mark Walker, deputy director of the Legion's Veterans Employment and Education Division.
Legionnaires Patricia Jackson Kelly and Irene Cruz also joined the team, as did a VA rep.

On Skid Row, they delivered care packages filled with personal-hygiene items and heard veterans' frustrations about access to VA services.

"Sometimes you have to take the solution to the veteran,” Jones explained. “If they can’t get to the help, we’ll bring it to them. We want to let veterans know that The American Legion is here, and we care.”

The American Legion has long worked to help eradicate veteran homelessness throughout the nation, working with public and private agencies and organizations, as well as VA.

It didn’t take long for the group to find homeless veterans and get to work helping them. Department of California Service Officer Scott McKee met with a Navy veteran named Kim and determined that help is likely available. “It seems like you should be eligible for benefits,” McKee told the veteran. “I’ll help you get that sorted out.”

Many of the homeless identified as veterans said they tried to get benefits but were told they were not eligible, often because of less than honorable discharges. The American Legion has staff and experts who work on discharge upgrades and other issues that may prevent veterans from receiving help.

“I’ll be fair -- it’s a lot of work and a tedious process,” Celli said. “But it’s worth it for veterans to be able to get the benefits they’ve earned.”

“We are here to find out what these veterans are concerned about and what they need,” Crooks said.

“(VA) said I’m not eligible,” a homeless Marine Corps veteran told Veronica Gonzales, also a veteran and advocate for US VETS, a national nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive services to homeless and at-risk veterans.

“We can help you with that,” Gonzales told the Marine. It was a message she and others on the Legion outing repeated to numerous veterans during the night.

With 21 residential sites and nine service centers in 14 cities across six states, the District of Columbia and Guam, US VETS provides services such as permanent and long-term transitional housing, residential employment, case management, substance-abuse treatment and outreach to homeless veterans. The American Legion has worked with US VETS on other initiatives to help homeless veterans.

“You’re going to see a lot of young veterans out here,” Gonzales explained as the group proceeded into one of the nation's most concentrated populations of homeless veterans. “One DUI and they are out with an other than honorable discharge, or an OTH. And the ones getting the OTH are the lower ranking service members who don’t have resources or capabilities when they get out.”

Homeless veterans repeatedly indicated they need help navigating VA's bureaucracy. Many don’t understand the process or lack the ability to complete it without assistance. According to VA's website, veterans who served in the active military and were separated under any condition other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health-care benefits. The first step is to apply, and American Legion service officers are trained to help veterans through the process.

Celli sat down on a Skid Row sidewalk to talk with a veteran named Joe who has an honorable discharge and is eligible for VA health care. The veteran said he had been to the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and wants to get into a rehab program. He said he went to an initial appointment where they sent him to get a blood test; he made an appointment for a follow-up medical exam but, admittedly, did not follow through with the exam and did not get into the program. When asked why he didn’t follow through, Joe looked up with a sad expression and said, “Because I’m an addict ... why do you think?”

The service officers on site gave Joe their direct contact information and said they will help him through the process. Joe said he would come in because he’s ready to get off the street.

Not all veterans want help, explained Earl Taylor, US VETS volunteer. “Some people are just comfortable in their situation, and if they don’t want the help you can’t make them take it.”

More of those who want help are getting it. Focus by VA, The American Legion and a number of local organizations and agencies throughout the country has reduced veteran homelessness by over 30 percent in recent years, according to federal estimates.

“This is the time of the veteran,” Gonzales said. “With the VA initiative to end veteran homelessness in Los Angeles and the strength of all veterans service organizations, there are great resources out there for those who want them.”

“Tonight’s experience was amazing,” Jones said. “I don’t think I’ll forget it. We truly appreciate US VETS and the fact that they come out and live this every day. It’s emotional, and it makes us go back and know that there is a lot of work to be done.”