Incorporated in 2014, Randolph County Veteran Shelter, Inc, DBA as The Journey Home (TJH) has fully engaged themselves in the mission to "end Veteran homelessness." Like all great grass-root stories, our participation in this mission started with an awareness of a problem and a conversation about solutions. A small group of individuals, which quickly turned into an army of local, then regional, and now national individuals and organizations, has come together as partners to make a difference. To make a difference in the lives of Veterans and to "end Veteran homelessness."
Our Mission: Veterans are our priority. Our mission is to end Veteran homelessness; to connect Veterans to local, regional, and national communities. As together we provide stability, support and interventions so that Veterans are empowered to attain housing and independence.
There is no other population in the United States that has better access to care than a military Veteran. The quality of care is rightly debated but there is no doubt that our Veterans’ medical and health care is a high priority to the US Government and the US citizens and their community partners. Yet the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that less than 50% of all eligible Veterans are enrolled in VA Services. Too few of our heroes are isolated and are missing the love and support that is eagerly awaits them. TJH accepts this as a neighbor and community problem to solve.
Are you a Veteran? We see you, and we honor you. We will bring your neighbors, and partner with your community, as we walk together to support you in your journey home; to "end Veteran homelessness." This mission is critical, especially across rural America. Veterans in rural populations are referred to within government circles as "the hidden." The VA, the US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other Federal agencies know that Veterans are homeless or otherwise at risk within rural communities, but the difficulty in how to find these individuals and give them support is not yet been resolved. We believe Veterans are "hidden" only because they do not gather in locations common to other homeless or those at risk; such as the shelters, camps, soup or food kitchens. Veterans gather, but they gather as parts of church congregations. They attend medical appointments. They grocery shop and are neighbors and members of families. Just like when this TJH story started, we create partnerships of communities and individuals so that together we can find the "hidden" Veteran; to lift them up and provide the stability, the support, and the interventions that will empower them with hope, dignity, and independence. In talking to Veterans, hearing their stories and wrapping our arms around them, we have learned that their "love for Country" is rooted in their love for their families, their neighbors, and their communities. They sacrificed their lives for you, and instead of feeling more connected to those they love upon returning home, they are more disconnected than ever and do not know how to reengage with those they love and with their communities.
