On Saturday, about 30 people in Barrie stepped out to try to make a difference in the lives of local veterans.
The Tour of Duty walk took place this past weekend, seeking to identify veterans at risk for homelessness in the community.
Since the walk, three veterans at risk have been identified in Barrie.
“I started as a volunteer with VETS Canada a few years ago, shortly after my wife became involved. It never occurred to me that veterans could be so widely represented in the homeless population. As a still-serving military member it is my duty to help them any way I can,” says Berin McNabb, Barrie walk organizer.
Food security and medical needs are the top priority for VETS Canada, and they often provide referrals to community meal programs and shelters.
“We work at a 1:1 ratio to help the veteran where they are at. We make connections to Veterans Affairs, housing support, Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) and other military support organizations,” says McNabb.
Since VETS Canada’s contract with Veterans Affairs started in 2014, they have responded to over 3,300 requests for assistance across the country.
“Veterans are proud people, so they are less likely to ask for help. I believe that VETS Canada is a trusted organization that doesn’t have a lot of red tape to get help, therefore is more often used,” says McNabb.
McNabb sees the need for this type of outreach to be most important with veterans, as the homelessness they endure isn’t something that would be obvious to the average person.
“Many veterans do not use the shelter system and can often be found couch surfing, living in cars or outside in the woods. The hidden homeless population may be more difficult to track and engage so our boots-on-the-ground efforts helps to create dialogue about veteran homelessness and encourage those in need of help to come forward,” says McNabb.
For more information on VETS Canada or to get involved, click here.
