Page 5 - 2017 HVAF Annual Report

MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Brian Copes
Dear HVAF supporters:
As I reflect and remember while composing this narrative, I am sobered by the scope and scale of change in our agency since last year’s report. I am SO ENCOURAGED by the patience, perseverance, resilience, and professionalism of our staff.
We deployed an updated Strategic Plan; endured a first-ever reduction-in-force, restructured our Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program; reorganized and relocated our Case Management and Maintenance teams, established our first- ever Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units; made major physical, procedural, and personnel changes in our Service Center operations; created our first-ever development (fund-raising) department; and refined the role and responsibilities of our Board of Directors.
We hosted visits from Senator Donnelly, Congressman Brooks, Congressman Banks and participated in veterans’ round-tables with Senators Young and Donnelly. Mayor Hogsett chose our headquarters to announce a 20% reduction in veteran homelessness in Indianapolis. We received letters of support for our request to convert Moreau House from GPD to PSH from Congressman Carson, the Indiana Director of Veterans Affairs, the Director of the VA Medical Center, and many partner agencies.
HVAF continues to examine opportunities to better serve homeless veterans in our State, including expanded employment programs into non-urban areas, detox and recovery options for the opioid epidemic impacting all Hoosiers, and increased permanent supportive housing opportunities for veterans throughout Indiana.
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 count it a blessing to work alongside such dedicated and passionate professionals every day, joined in common cause to support and encourage those who have served and sacrificed to protect our freedoms, our values, and our American way of life.
BRIAN COPES, HVAF PRESIDENT & CEO
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