Fellow Knights
We want to thank you for your support of Operation American Soldier. To update you on our recent developments, we would like to inform you that we have now helped 79 veterans with their new housing requirements. In addition, we are expanding our relationships with Columbus House and the VA, which we will tell you about as the new expansion comes to fruition. Finally, we received the information below, which further describes the impact we can have on veterans are entering into their new housing.
While there are many services like SNAP and food pantries that provide food for those most in need, and rental assistance programs that ensure that people have housing, or at least shelter, there’s many small needs a person has that might seem incidental…until they become unavailable. Staples like toothpaste, deodorant, and even soap are inaccessible when someone is without income, and incidental household goods such as plates and cups are luxuries when one is without spending money.
This is where the Knights of Columbus Lodging Kit changes lives.
Programs like SSVF help veterans connect with and afford housing, but it’s programs like the Knights of Columbus Lodging Kit that helps turn housing into a “home.” Not only does it provide veterans in the program with toiletries, cleaning supplies, basic hygiene needs, and standard kitchen tools, the program is set up to allow the client to customize the budget based on their needs and preferences, with many clients being able to go shopping with their Case Manager, if not being able to make specific requests.
“I didn’t realize this was going to feel so much like Christmas!” One client said during a shopping trip- in fact the first time they went shopping for years after becoming homeless, noting that they couldn’t remember the last time they chose what fragrance shampoo or flavor toothpaste they could use. Likewise, this budget allows Case Managers to work with clients to supplement what items they may still have stored away, meaning that their new home has a decided style instead of an ad-hoc collection of hand-me-downs.
For Case Managers, the Knights of Columbus Lodging Kit creates a situation where Case Manager and client can collaborate together to custom fit out their home, as opposed to simply dropping off a collection of property in the hopes it could help, leading to a more connecting and empowering collaboration, an easier workload, and more humanized and dignified clientele.
Our next event in support of OAS is Memorial Day, 2025. You can find more information about the event at this link.
Thank you again for your ongoing support.
John, Pete, and Mike