Letter: Legion tackling issue of homeless veterans

Recent news reports have focused on the plight of thousands of homeless veterans across Canada.

The Royal Canadian Legion has indicated that media reports have probably vastly underestimated the number of homeless veterans. In 2009, Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion established an Operation: Leave the Streets Behind program, which has disbursed $1.2 million to homeless veterans with the assistance of the Ladies Auxiliary.

The City of Greater Sudbury is not immune to the problem of homeless veterans. The issue is how to identify and assist these local homeless veterans, while, at the same time, ensuring their confidentiality.

Dr. Fred Starr, Branch 76 Royal Canadian Legion, has established a Leave the Streets Behind committee to address the issue of homeless or near homeless veterans in our community.

Our Mission Statement is:

? to identify homeless or near homeless veterans in our community through an outreach program with the assistance of community partners;

? to address homeless veterans’ needs and provide assistance through the use of existing Legion programs and the Poppy Trust Fund.

We are seeking the assistance of community groups and associations to help us achieve our mission. It’s the least that we can do for homeless veterans after their service to our country.

If you are interested in being part of a community coalition to assist homeless veterans, please contact us at [email protected].

Jim Young
chair, Leave the Streets Behind Committee
Dr. Fred Starr
Branch 76 Royal Canadian Legion