three for three !! My 3rd editorial printed this week...homeless female vets

[w8liftinglady]

Miracles DO happen!

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2010/10/27/opinion/doc4cc84fd71aeaa777240675.txt

As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan enter a new decade, a group of veterans is growing. Of the 140,000 veterans that are homeless on any given night, 13,100 veterans are female ��” and this rate has doubled since 2009. If we are to support our troops and veterans, we must educate ourselves on those who have sacrificed for our nation, including the female troops.

According to the IAVA, a quarter of female veterans in the VA’s Homelessness Programs have minor children. Finding shelters that permit children is a primary obstacle for homeless women veterans. For female homeless veterans with families, finding a home of their own is nearly impossible. Homeless women veterans are more likely to experience severe forms of mental illness compared to men, mostly because of higher rates of Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The risk of death for homeless women veterans is substantially higher than for women in the general population, especially among younger veterans.

The Veterans Administration, due to the composition of previous war veterans, has been slow in keeping up with the number of female veterans and their needs. Many female homeless veterans have the additional burden of child care, substance abuse and sexual abuse concerns.

Further information on homeless female veterans has been provided by The Service Women’s Action Network:

http://www.servicewomen.org/userfiles/file/HWVfactsheet.pdf

My friend Larry Scott of VA Watchdog has issued articles with excellent resources for homeless female veterans and their families:

http://www.vawatchdog.org/10/nf10/nffeb10/nf020110-3.htm

As the November elections approach, we must remember to support the candidates with a track record for supporting the homeless and the veterans, as these individuals fall into both categories. It is inconceivable that a nation that “supports the troops” would allow this to occur and perpetuate.

[dkf]

1. You rarely hear about homeless women vets.

Thanks for this post.

[Kadie]

2. K&R

:yourock:

[MineralMan]

3. You're on a roll. Great job!

[w8liftinglady]

8. Thanks,mineralMan...that means the world to me!

[w8liftinglady]

4. and,while you may not be able to access them,here is a list of others

printed this week
http://www.thedailylight.com/opinion/

[OneGrassRoot]

5. You're amazing...

:yourock:

:applause:

:hug:

[w8liftinglady]

6. kick

[peace13]

7. Way to go! n/t

[w8liftinglady]

9. thank you!

[bobbolink]

10. Excellent news! I just spoke with a man with Vets For Peace today about the homeless women vets

and their emotional problems because of rape, and he said he wouldn't be surprised... and knew it was from their peers.

He really helped me with what I am looking for, and was very kind about it. I suggested he consider posting here. ^_^

I am so pleased this was printed! I hope it opens some eyes! Thanks so much for writing this!

:applause:

[w8liftinglady]

12. I hope he joins our little family :)--Thanks

[MzNov]

11. You are awesome w8liftinglady!

another great job! :hug:

Keep up the great work. :woohoo:

[madmax]

13. WTG great job. Thanks for the effort and time. nt

[w8liftinglady]

14. Thanks,Madmax! I hope the neighbors begin to realize we ARE at war,still

[unhappycamper]

15. Coungratulations! (again)

Keep pumping out those LTTEs w8liftinglady. :thumbsup: