Homeless Veterans Outreach Program (HVOP)

I cannot over emphasis that our individual members and Chapters are the ground roots for this program, and the most important element in making this program successful. Our Riders are who will be making the vast majority of initial contact with the homeless veteran’s, and have the greatest chance of making a difference in their lives.

We are not here to recreate the wheel and start yet another program, but the ALR DoC HVOP is envisioned to assist local agencies such as the VA, non-profit groups, local governments, and so on. Our role would best serve our homeless veteran target groups by lending assistance to already up and running groups. Boots on the ground so to speak. But we need to be able to reach out to these veterans and work on getting them into one of these already established programs.

So what can we do?

• The first thing is to be prepared to approach and talk with them. Don’t just ride up to them, give them an outreach package and ride away. Be sincere and talk with them on a personal level.
• Carry outreach packages on your bike. Simple things like contact information, basic toiletries (soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, wet wipes etc.) that they can use.
• Know how to vet their story. This sounds callous, but one of the biggest scams is people taking advantage of the passion people have for helping veterans, so they invent sob stories in the hope of bilking people out of money.
• Some of the things you may want to consider asking:
  • Are you a Veteran?
  • Do you want help? (You may be surprised how many don’t want help)
  • Do you have a military ID, or VA ID? Do you have any ID?
  • Do you have a DD-214? Does the individual even know what a DD-214 is?
  • Which branch were you in?
  • When were you in?
  • Where did you go to Boot Camp?
  • What was your MOS or NEC? 
  • Were you deployed, if so, where, when, and how long?
  • Do you have family who are willing to take you in?
• For more information on what you and your Chapter can do, please don’t hesitate to contact me, or the HVOP Committee Chair, Erik Lindgreen (e-mail me, and I will get him in touch with you.

V/Respectfully,

Randy Brenneman

Vice President

American Legion Riders

Department of California