IDVA to award grants to organizations serving homeless veterans

Statewide organizations encouraged to apply   The Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) will award up to nine hundred thousand dollars in grant money to organizations throughout the state that assist homeless veterans. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Organizations will use the money to help veterans in any of the following areas: • Work to eliminate homelessness • Prevent near-term homelessness • Provide safe and secure living conditions for homeless veterans • Provide assistance for veterans moving from public housing programs toward home ownership or long-term rental status • Provide assistance in finding available state and federal resources • Provide on-the-job training and job search assistance • Provide therapeutic services. The solicitation for the Grants for Veterans’ Services (GVS) program is now available on the IDVA website and includes details and guidelines about the grant program and eligibility criteria. The GVS program originated through an act of legislation designed to provide funding for organizations that serve veterans. To read the full story, click here.

Building healthy military communities

The 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report includes the most recent analysis of Veteran suicide data from 2005 to 2017. The report's format is meant to clearly present complex suicide data in a practical way, convey the key findings in the clearest terms, and highlight the data-driven initiatives VA and its partners have implemented to prevent Veteran suicide.

As the largest national analysis of Veteran suicide rates, this report also examines:
• Veterans suicide rates by age, gender, method, and more.
• Suicide rates in the Veteran population compared with rates in the non-Veteran population.
• Suicide rates among Veterans who use VHA health care compared with rates among those who do not.

Please contact the VA Suicide Prevention Program at VASPDataRequest@va.gov if you are interested in learning more about prevention efforts. For media inquiries, please contact VAPublicAffairs@va.gov. To read the full newsletter, click here. 

November 6, 2019

Howard Co. Stand Down

Free event for all veterans and their families beginning 10 a.m. Nov. 7 at UAW Local 685 929 E. Hoffer St. Kokomo. Food provided by Hawg Heaven. For more information, contact Angela Ciski 765.513.8504 or click here.

DAV women veterans retreat

Disabled American Veterans Ch. 17 is hosting a free women veterans retreat Nov. 8 to 10 in Laporte. To learn more and register, contact Lisa Wilken at votingveteranindy@gmail.com.   

French Legion of Honor ceremony

There is a ceremony to honor WWII veterans with the French Legion of Honor, a French medal equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor, at 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Indiana War Memorial 55 E. Michigan St. Indianapolis. Guillaume Lacroix to present.

Honoring IN Native American Indian veterans

There is a ceremony to honor Indiana's Native American Indian veterans at 1 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Indiana Veterans Home 3851 N. River Rd. West Lafayette. Contact Melissa Williams at 317.234.4887 for more information. 

Sports & National Veterans Small Business Week

Watch the Pacers practice

In recognition of veterans, the Indiana Pacers and Yuengling invite you to attend a special luncheon and a Pacers team practice with an opportunity to meet the players 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse 125 S. Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis. Space is limited, so please register here. 

National Veterans Small Business Week Indy event

Join us 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Indianapolis Central Library 40 E. Saint Clair St. Indianapolis during the DAKS Foundation Empowerment Week for a Veterans Opportunity Symposium. It features free small business resources and information for veterans interested in diving into the world of entrepreneurism. Please register here.  

Veterans Day Events

Military and Veteran Discount Guide: List of the Best Deals. 

YMCA Breakfast for the Brave

The Benjamin Harrison YMCA is hosting a breakfast 9:30 to 11 a.m. Nov. 8 at 5736 Lee Rd. Indianapolis. The breakfast is free and food is provided by Art's Skillet. Please register in advance at the Member Services desk or call 317.547.9622. 

Volunteers of America Veterans Day celebration

Join the VOA for a veterans day celebration 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8 at Northwood Christian Church 4550 Central Ave. Indianapolis. Food provided by City Barbeque. For more information contact Yvette Lewis at 855.332.8387. 

A concert to honor veterans

The Indianapolis Municipal Band proudly presents a concert to honor our veterans 3 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Indiana State Museum 650 W. Washington St. Indianapolis. Free and open to the public, distinguished guest Col. (Ret.) Michael Colburn, U.S. Marine Corps Band, will conduct.  

Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis hosts Veterans Day breakfast

Join us starting 8 a.m. Nov. 11 in the Arabian Room of the Old National Centre 502 N. New Jersey St. Indianapolis for a special Veterans Day Breakfast sponsored by the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis.

Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery Veterans Day service

The IVMC is holding a Veterans Day service starting at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery 1415 North Gate Rd. Madison. Mike Thompson, IDVA operations director is the keynote speaker this year. We will also hear from 67th District State Representative Randy Frye. The service will be held outside rain or shine and chairs are provided. For more information, call 812.273.9220. 

IVH Veterans Day program

The Indiana Veterans Home invites you to attend their free Veterans Day program beginning at 2 p.m. Nov. 11 in the MacArthur Auditorium IVH 3851 N. River R. West Lafayette. The keynote speaker this year is Command Sgt. Maj. Courtney M. Ross. A native of North Augusta, S.C, Ross serves as the U.S. Army Financial Management Command's senior enlisted advisor. For more information, click here.

IVH Veterans Day Sunset Salute

The Indiana Veterans Home is excited to invite the community to join members of the Purdue ROTC as they host the 2019 Sunset Salute to honor veterans beginning at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in the IVH cemetery (Indiana State Soldier's Home Cemetery). The ROTC and other community members will decorate the IVH cemetery driveways to honor the memory of service members who have passed on. Members of the community are invited to walk or drive to the cemetery and participate in this heartfelt tribute to those who are no longer with us by those who are the current and future of the U.S. military. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.

Sky Zone Cares Military Night

The first Sky Zone Cares Military Night is 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 11 at Sky Zone Indy South 4150 Kildeer Dr. Indianapolis. This event is free for veterans and their families with a valid proof of service. Visit this link for more information. 

Hoosiers saving Hoosiers: #bethere for a veteran

There is community-based suicide awareness training taking place across Indiana in November. Training will include information about suicide prevention, S.A.V.E., moral injury, and local resources for veterans and current service members. For a list of locations and to register, click here or contact Sylvia Maixner 402.937.5958.