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The Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance is a small private organization started by a few veterans originally for fellowship and to network with other veterans. Over time we began to encounter other vets who were less fortunate. At first we as a group hit up our members for cash to pay for clothes, lodging and food. Some of us took in homeless veterans during the worst of weather and in the process tried to assist with substance abuse.
Eventually we realized we needed to have some type of fund raiser to help those needing help. For the first few years we used a marketing company to raise money. Over time we evolved to a more formal program where we could employ veterans with potential or in other cases have the time to sit down and counsel them on many aspects in their life. Before that our president was driving all over town on weekends try to help veterans. We now do our own fund raising which is directly supervised by our president and treasurer. Our Board of Directors (All of whom are Vietnam Veterans) meets several times a year to review our activities.
By and large we take the surplus after expenses and provide food, Marta cards, and help with rent and utilities. We have also given out 50 plus scholarships to children of vets, spouses of vets and in some cases the vets themselves. Most of those we help do not own an auto. Their mode of transportation is MARTA or the bus. That is the primary reason we are located near the Doraville train station. We purchase food cards at Publix in $25.00 amounts. Among things asked for Marta cards and food cards are the most popular.
We have never received any government aid and we reserve the right to decide which folks we will help and what type of aid to render. Each recipient must have an honorable discharge and show proof with their discharge document. (DD 214)
The President and Treasurer spend every Tuesday interviewing and going over the needs of those who come in for assistance. Each person must fill out an intake form so we can keep up with them. About half of those we talk to have been sent to us by the Social Workers at the VA, so they have been vetted to some degree. Then they go through an extensive interview so see where they can improve their life and their finances. We often go over their expenses seeing where changes can be made. If possible we look for job opportunities for them and even rehearse them in interviewing for a job. We talk about how to dress for the interview and what to say and what not to say. Then we talk to them about how to conduct themselves on the job to make certain they keep that job. In some cases we follow up with job leads by calling them.
In certain cases they need specialized items such as hospital beds or wheel chairs. We have repaired power chairs and given them to vets.
We have also provided advice to some who seek government help with claims or medical help. In every case we look at the use of our time so it pays good dividends to our veteran population.
In all cases we conduct the interviews at our office in Doraville so everyone will feel comfortable surrounded by military memorabilia and in a relaxed atmosphere. Each person is given a small 4 page pamphlet called, RULES OF LIFE. This is intended to act as a guide to many who have never had a budget or if they did, even then their life skidded out of control. Those who had jobs had no savings and did not employ the funds they had to assure they had food and a place to live. They often thank us for some form of written guidance.
Although our name says Vietnam Veterans we find that veterans of all wars and those in-between seek our help. As far as we know, we are the only veterans organization that meets with vets on a weekly basis to resolve problems.
One question we receive a lot is why do we go out and pick up checks. This started 15 years or so ago when most of our contributions also asked for a product. Since we were in the area anyway we picked up the checks where no product was involved. Those who are used to the service appreciate it as they do not have to mail the check and they have their receipt the next day.
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