Homelessness

Forward Observer — Lehigh Valley VA Homelessness Summit Needs More Community Involvement

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 28 September, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center (VAMC) is holding a Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups (CHALENG) Meeting and Summit at the Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township (Gym II).

While there has been a long history of annual CHALENG meetings, holding one in the Lehigh Valley has been a rarity.  Considering the recent efforts of the Lehigh Valley Regional Homelessness Advisory Board (LVRHAB), the time has come to encourage such meetings locally if the VA is to be a true partner in this region’s homeless efforts – and not off to the side.

Because a summit implies the meeting of leaders, LVMAC is reaching out to various organizations (police departments, school districts, public housing authorities, special social work agencies, county and city governments, for example) to have a key officer or “mover and shaker” attend. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Veterans Giving Back

LVMAC Poster Art 2005In this blog site, we often write of entitlements and benefits veterans can receive.  However, as a population category, veterans contribute far more through their labors than they take from their communities.  Indeed, many veterans have the wisdom to understand the benefits of giving of themselves to improve their communities and those of others.

Below is one fine example of local, Lehigh Valley veterans trying to do far-reaching good — in this case, for the poor —  while attending to the spiritual/psychic well-being of fellow veterans.  As it happens, an effort such as this also shows the world the better side of the American people and our way of life.  Therefore, they gain for us in another way.  Thought you might be interested and, perhaps, in helping them. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Allentown Winter Warming Center to Open December 1

From the Lehigh Conference of Churches

LCC LogoOn Tuesday, December 1, a Warming Center will open in Allentown to provide overnight emergency shelter to those without homes. The Lehigh Conference of Churches will manage operations at the City of Allentown’s Fountain Pool Building, located at the corner of S. 10th Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. The Warming Center’s opening date coincides with the start of Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering in a coordinated regional effort to meet the increased need for warm, safe refuge for homeless individuals seen in previous winters.  (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — VA Health Care Expands Eligibility

va_sealJust announced on 17 March 2015 and effective as of 2015, the VA has eliminated the use of net worth as a determining factor for both health care programs and copayment responsibilities. The intention is to make the program more accessible to low-income veterans.  The VA estimates this may affect only 190,000 Veterans over a five year period, but VA estimates can be wrong. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago