Treatment Center For Veterans Sees Money Dry Up

[Maddy McCall]

snip/

For I.S.I.A.H. House, a nonprofit charitable project and part of the Common Bond Association, donations have dropped some $74,000 — down to $106,000, compared with $180,000 this time last year, says David Vincent, the former musician and ex-addict who serves as CBA's executive director.

A couple of months ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a rich source of food donations, stamped out contributions to a certain category of group homes. Among them was I.S.I.A.H., one of CBA's five houses, including Anthony, Jonah, James and the first-ever facility: Miracle House, started in 1989 with the help of Vincent's mentor, CBA board president Holden Clarke. Each house represents a different phase of treatment for more than 100 clients, many of whom have tried everything else.

snip/

"We see boys 22 years old from Iraq and Afghanistan. Men who saw their friends wiped off the face of the Earth. They go the VA for a while, get out and start drinking again. Then come here."

snip/

Many veterans first come to I.S.I.A.H. House: Innovative Solutions in Assisting Homelessness. They come hungry. "We cook 250 meals a day, seven days a week," Vincent says. "I know of no other organization like ours that does this." They come from jail or a substance abuse program or from under a bridge. Depressed. Sick from alcohol or meth or crack cocaine, Vincent says.


More at: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051102/FEAT05/511020327/1023

[leftchick]

1. perhaps if they give them religion with shelter they will get the money?

:sarcasm:

This is so sick on so many levels. I hate the fucking bush regime.
yeah, support the troops?!??

:grr:

[0007]

2. The Veteran's Hospital in Big Springs Texas is going down fast

I quit going the first part of this this year.

[sandnsea]

3. But catch this line

"But it's not the USDA's fault. We as a people shouldn't depend on the federal government. It's the community's responsibility."

Why don't these people understand that the reason we have these programs is because the Depression taught us that individual communities can't always meet all the needs. We function better as a country when we pool together and deliver services to where they most need to go. People in a poor community shouldn't suffer more just because of where they're born. Even this hurricane hasn't gotten through to them. *sigh*

[cornermouse]

6. Uninhibited greed. Greed without end.

Greed without boundaries. Greed without conscience. Just Greed. It cancels everything else out.

[Missy M]

4. I think the veterans should be able to depend on the Federal....

government for assistance, after all the Federal government depended on the veterans.

[cornermouse]

5. We (the middle class) have less money.

Unfortunately, I look for it to get worse unless we get rid of a bunch of republicans in 2006 elections.