Page 2 - 2016 HVAF Annual Report

Letter from the Board Chairman
HVAF of Indiana, Inc. stands as the most comprehensive service provider in Indiana for Hoosier veterans transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. The generosity of our donors and volunteers helped HVAF provide 1909 homeless Hoosier veterans a safe haven through housing and a support system through employment, outreach, transportation, legal, and health services; as well as food, clothing, and hygiene pantries.
HVAF programs and services remain strong. Our supportive housing program continues to provide
homes and support for Indiana veterans seeking to escape homelessness. I am pleased to share that 209 homeless veterans exited the cycle of homelessness and secured permanent housing through HVAF in 2016. On any given night in
2016, roughly 200 homeless veterans resided in one of our thirteen properties, and our employment program found employment for 140 veterans through outreach and partnerships with local businesses in 2016. HVAF has the pleasure to partner with the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, which helped 199 veterans receive free legal services in 2016. HVAF also provided 2,666 bus passes to help veterans travel to and from medical appointments and job interviews in 2016. One of our programs in-transition is the Residential, Employment, Substance Abuse Treatment (REST) program, which has helped 39 homeless veterans overcome addiction and homelessness since 2001. We look forward to implementing a new version of the REST program in the near future to assist veterans struggling with substance abuse.
HVAF strives every day to provide the highest quality services to our veterans. One way we provide outstanding support is by hiring people who care deeply about our veterans and our mission. Brian Copes, a retired one-star general with 38 years of military service, was hired as our new President and CEO in 2016. We hired our first Vice President for Development, Aaron Carmichael, in early 2017. The intent for hiring an experienced development professional like Aaron is to provide HVAF with leadership, experience, and technical expertise in fundraising and donor management at a time when our agency, like many other nonprofit organizations throughout the country, is facing the real and continued threat of declining funds from government and community foundation resources.
Over the last 24 years, with generous individual, corporate, and foundation support, HVAF has stood strong helping Hoosier veterans overcome homelessness. On behalf of the HVAF’s Board of Directors and as a veteran myself, I thank all who have helped homeless Hoosier veterans in their time of greatest need.
Sincerely,
Trent Sandifur
Chairman, HVAF of Indiana, Inc. Board of Directors
Comments from the President & CEO
April 2017 marked my first year at HVAF. Thank you to the Board of Directors for affording me the privilege to lead this extraordinary agency and to serve our exceptional clients. The dedication, diligence, and passion displayed by our professional staff, our faithful volunteers, our generous donors, our loyal partners, and our engaged board members humbles and inspires me. I cannot imagine a more meaningful and rewarding opportunity in this second season of my life than to work for, with, and around veterans every day. We owe our freedoms to those who wear, or have worn, the cloth of this nation.
Brian Copes, HVAF of Indiana, Inc. President & CEO