Cutting Through the Red Tape/in /by
This week’s Case of the Week is written by Andy Mckee, our Grayson, KY regional manager.
I received a phone call about 30 minutes ago from a concerned friend of a Veteran who was trying to get into a drug rehab facility but had been given the run around by every other organization he had talked to. The Veteran and his friend were calling from southern Indiana, so I brought up the inpatient substance abuse program at the Lexington VAMC. I placed the Veteran and friend on hold instructing them not to hang up while I called to get the correct information of who they need to get in contact with. After being on hold and being transferred a million times, I finally got in contact with the actual intake person. As it turns out, the friend could not make the actual referral because it has to be an agency or organization who refers the Veteran. I asked if I qualified as an authorized representative, and I was. With the Veteran’s permission, I got the information needed so we could help him further.
Long story short, while acting on the Veteran’s behalf, our office here in Grayson, KY assisted a Veteran in Indiana into getting into a VA drug rehab program in Lexington, KY
This is a great example of how our organization helps beyond just financial assistance. We are grateful to be able to help this veteran and other veterans like him.
A True American Hero/in /by
Today’s Case of the Week comes from our Hartselle, AL office written by Mike Johnson.
Recently we had a Vietnam Veteran come to our office accompanying, another vet who was 91, and applying for assistance. The first thing that we noticed was the Vietnam Veteran’s hat which had Bronze Star Recipient emblazoned on it. We asked him what his Star was for, and he simply said, “I ran the wrong way.” We left it at that. 
Our office manager then asked the same question a little later, to which he responded: “I saved my whole unit, I went to the rear with some grenades and a rifle to buy time them to get away.” 
We told him thank you for your service, knowing that there were no parades or public fanfare for those returning from Vietnam. It has always bothered us that these veterans were largely mistreated upon their return home, so whenever we get a chance to express our thanks for their service, we do so wholeheartedly. Luckily our position at Veterans’ Outreach enables us to encounter more of these Vietnam era heroes. This veteran is a true hero. We are so happy and honored to have met him.
Laughter is a Mini Vacation/in /by
Our Liberty office has the Heroes’ Closet Program. Lots of clothing is donated. The clothing is processed and veterans are able to browse through it and choose what they need at no cost. On average, we give away over 100 articles of clothing each week. 
 
Yesterday, Michelle, one of our office team put out some additional items. She came across a pair of mens pants that were pin striped pink. She wagered with our Bob, our Services Director that no one would ever choose those pants. He agreed to the wager. 
 
A veteran came for his appointment to get help and while waiting chose some things from our pantry. He met with Bob and they talked. Bob told him about the pink pants and asked the veteran to choose the pants and really make a fuss about how much he liked them.
 
All in good fun, the veteran went back to the clothing and picked up the pink pants and just exclaimed “Oh my goodness! These are nicest pants I have ever seen, and oh, they are my size! Could I really have these pants?” Michelle jumped up, and looked at the vet, and told Bob the bet is off – it’s a setup and so on. Everyone got a good laugh, especially the veteran. Laughter is a mini vacation.
Disabled Veteran and Single Mom of 3 in Need/in /by
Today’s case of the week comes from our Sarasota, FL office written by Bob Graham, our Regional Manager.
On the suggestion of her case manager, Shannon approached us for assistance. Shannon has her share of struggles. She is a disabled veteran with a small pension, a single mom with 3 children and a divorced husband who ignores the mandated child support. Due to these tremendous obstacles, she is unable to work for steady income. This has led her to fall behind on a number of bills. We worked with her to uncover the most pressing and covered enough of her electricity bill to void shutdown literally hours before it was scheduled. Big sigh of relief! We are so happy to be able to help this veteran and her family.
Anxiety Relieved for a Veteran in Need/in /by
This week’s case of the week comes from our Sarasota, FL office written by our regional manager, Bob Graham.
Recently we were approached by a VA Caseworker to help out a veteran who had fallen on hard times and needed assistance. The veteran has very limited income that only comes from picking up odd jobs around his neighborhood. He, unfortunately, suffers from severe anxiety and consequently can’t hold down a steady job. 
This has led him to fall behind on his utility bill. Thankfully, he was referred to us to help him out. We can happily say that we were able to bring his utility bill up to date and give him some relief to his stressors. We were and are very happy to help out.
Power Turned Back On for Veteran and His Family/in /by
Today’s Case of the Week comes from our Hartselle, Alabama Office.
Recently, we had a veteran stop in that had fallen on hard times. Unfortunately, he had fallen behind on his electric bill to the tune of $350.00 and did not know where to turn for help. He had gone to a Huntsville Veteran’s Organization and they sent him to us. 
His wife was with him using a borrowed phone and she was endlessly calling various organizations with no luck. They have two daughters (16 and 11) and no power. We have been having lows in the mid to high twenties and we know that it was a monumental struggle for them. 
He stated that he had talked to a lot of different organizations and we were the only ones to help thus far. We called the utility company and sent them our max donation and helped them find other organizations in their area that could help. 
Our office manager Carol was calling other Veterans organizations in Huntsville and they told her that they sent people to us, Veterans Outreach. With all their problems they still were kind and upbeat. We are so happy we could help!
Ensuring Warmth for a Veteran & His Family/in /by
Today’s Case of the Week comes from our Sarasota, FL office written by our Florida Regional Manager, Bob Graham.
Recently, we were approached by the local low-income housing agency to help out a veteran in desperate need. The veteran has COPD and emphysema. His wife has health issues as well. 
They are also taking care of their 3 grandchildren – ages 6, 8 and 10(autistic) that were taken away from their parents by the court as unfit to raise them.
They are in a drafty old house and the power bills got behind his capacity to fund with everything else going on – several local agencies have banded together to rescue them from their utility bills and we were asked to join the group – which we are! We are very happy to be able to pitch in and help this veteran and his family.
Never Leave a Brother Behind/in /by
Today’s “Case of the Week” comes from our corporate headquarters in Liberty twp., Youngstown Ohio as told by Teri Ely, our Executive Director.
I was recently contacted by a VA Caseworker about a veteran that she had been working with for quite a while. This veteran served in Germany and Italy with the Security Police. He is now suffering from PTS, anxiety, and depression. On top of that, he had a stroke. He was in a nursing home for rehab from the stroke. The Caseworker and other agencies were able to help him get moved into an assisted living facility. Her concern is that now her work with him is completed. 
He stays at his apartment most of the time due to his disabilities, he has no family, no friends. He is totally alone. She called me to ask if we knew of other veterans that would send him a card once in a while. I told some of our Veterans’ Outreach team about this veteran and they immediately said they would be contacting him, visiting him, and even spreading it to other veterans to join in. I was so touched by the quickness of their response, they didn’t even think about it. It was automatic to help a brother veteran because they never leave a brother behind.

Kentucky Office Helps a Vet in Need

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Today’s Case of the Week comes from our Grayson, KY office. Written by our Regional Manager, Brandon Clark.
A couple weeks ago a veteran approached me to see if Veterans’ Outreach could possibly help his daughter and son-in-law who is a veteran with their electric bill. They had a past due balance of $1291.60, and a disconnect date coming very soon. The veteran said he hated to ask but was worried his daughter and grandchildren would have to go without electric.
After discussing with Bob Julian to see if we had the funds to possibly assist them, I contacted Kentucky Power to see what options were available. After discussing with Kentucky Power, a payment plan could be set up if a $200 payment was made right then and then another $200 to be received in the next 5 business days.
A $200 payment was made at this time by another source and then I advised Kentucky Power that Veterans’ Outreach was pledging the other $200 which they would receive in the next few days.
With the $400 total being paid to Kentucky Power they did not disconnect the power and set the couple up on a payment plan. Were they split the remaining balance up over a 6-month period? Which was roughly $168 a month. We are so happy we could keep the lights on for this veteran family in need.
Disabled Iraq Veteran Sees Brighter Future/in /by
This case of the week comes from our Sarasota, FL office.

A Cocoa FL-based veteran was recently referred to us by his VA caseworker. This veteran is 100% disabled from an IED he encountered in Iraq. He was in the Army for over 17 years and survived 15 combat caused injuries in his multiple deployments. Unfortunately, he has fallen on difficult times and asked for help on his utility bill. We have guaranteed the overdue portion and his power will stay on – he said “God Bless You” three times! So glad we could help!