GREENVILLE – The Winery at Versailles recently hosted a dinner to honor those who serve and have served the country, as well as promote public awareness of our veterans. “The Heroes Dinner” included a five course meal paired with a glass of wine with each course, a guest speaker from the Journey Home, and a testimonial from a Journey Home resident. Also on hand for the event were the proprietors of the Winery, veteran Mike and Carol Williams, and veteran Dave Miller with his wife Kathy.
Winery Events Coordinator Carlena Sneed welcomed those in attendance and provided introductions throughout the evening. Army veteran Dave Miller representing the Versailles VFW Post #3849 conducted a memorial ceremony of the missing man table, also known as a fallen comrade table. The table served as a focal point of ceremonial remembrance to honor the fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members.
Into the second course, Eldon Solomon, executive director of The Journey Home Veterans Shelter located in Winchester, Ind. gave an educational communication on our veterans. Statistically 22 veterans commit suicide every day and nationally 24.8 percent of our homeless are veterans (Ohio average is 21 percent). Solomon said, “These numbers are mindboggling. I don’t know what they tell me but these numbers do tell a story. There’s something about being a veteran that is difficult, that’s a struggle.”
Located in Randolph County the Veterans Shelter is a 12 bed transitional facility with a 24 hour a day 7 day a week kitchen which is open for homeless veterans to prepare their meals and share meals. Last year the facility successfully took 49 veterans off the streets and placed 33 into homes. The shelter’s mission is towards ending veteran homelessness and begins with transitional house for a period of 3 – 6 months, sometimes these veterans are found in homeless camps or living under bridges, than they are transitioned into permanent housing. The Journey Home (TJH) also works on developing or improving the veteran’s employment skills to sustain independence and opportunities, engages the VA, state and local non-VA resources and benefits and all these services are provided in a very loving manner and at no cost to the veteran.
Four years ago The Journey Home Veterans Shelter entered a relationship with the VA and a bed per diem contract with VA Northern Indiana Health Care Systems, which took much of the economic pressure off the facility and allowed them to broaden their services. But the success of TJH is primarily attributed to the love, compassion and support given by the local community donors.
Solomon, said, “People ask me a lot, what causes homeless among our veterans, those who served our country?” I can’t tell you a definite answer but I tell my staff every individual’s journey into homelessness is unique and every individual’s journey out of homelessness is just as unique and difficult.” He went on to say, “But I can tell you what is common among every one of these veterans that walk into our door is that they have burned every social bridge you can possibly imagine. They don’t feel comfortable socially. They don’t have the skill set for healthy interaction, they don’t have healthy connections, and they don’t’ have healthy relationships.”
With personalized programs and services that support veterans to recovery, these veterans feel loved and learn what it is to interact with others. They also witness the goodness of others through the donations of food, clothing, furniture, etc. Patience, with accountability provides the veteran stable support. Mistakes are used as stepping stones into the development of new skills, hope, confidence and self-respect.
Jack Duncan, a transient resident of TJH agreed to speak. He explained how he was homeless in Indianapolis and placed in the Journey Home facility through the VA. He expressed his gratitude for the kindness and helpfulness of the residents of Winchester and its surrounding communities. “I’ve accomplished in two weeks, little things, like getting my voter’s registration here, getting a credit card, getting my library card, just one little thing after another until I go to the big thing. The only thing left is housing and I’ve got a good line on that.” Duncan concluded with praising Eldon Solomon and his staff for their sincerity by saying “These people genuinely care…I’ve never seen any people like that before.”
For Mike and Carol Williams helping veterans and The Journey Home is a program close to their hearts having a father and other family members who have served as well as, a grandson who is actively serving. For those interested in learning more about the Veterans Transitional facility, visit The Journey Home on Facebook, their website at www.journeyhomevets.org or take a drive to 325 S. Oak St., Suite 101, Winchester, IN 47394. Everyone is welcome to visit and as Solomon aforementioned, you can visit an American Hero, some of whom have been awarded purple hearts, silver and bronze stars.
