Veterans enrich and build up the SBC community. Renesting is no different. We are honored to serve and be served by those who have served our nation. Today, in honor of Veterans Day, we want to share a little about the part Veterans play here at the Nest.

Overton Brooks Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s program, Health Care for Homeless Veterans, was one of the first agencies Renesting partnered with and it remains one of our most active agencies. About 32% of the clients we have served are honorably discharged Veterans. In our eleven years serving, we have provided furniture and household items to 501 honorably discharged veterans and their families. And we couldn’t be prouder.

Veterans are an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to serving those in need in Bossier and Caddo Parishes. In Bossier Parish, Veterans make up 13.3% of the population, in Caddo Parish, it’s 9.6%*. In fact, Caddo Parish has one of the highest veteran populations in the state, and Bossier Parish, the second-highest per capita*. According to information gathered by the Housing Assistance Council and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, there are an estimated 383 homeless veterans in the state of Louisiana**.

Veterans are not only our clients, but they also make up the volunteer and donor force that helps us serve. We originally wanted to call out our wonderful volunteers/donors by name, but there are too many! Instead, we want to say a huge thank you to all the Veteran volunteers that help with client load-outs, work on our trailer, consider board service, attend our events, unload donor’s vehicles, prepare items for clients, go out on Renests, and do all of the other hard work powering Renesting Project.

Thank you to all Veterans for your service. Thank you to our Veteran clients for allowing us to serve. Thank you to our Veteran volunteers and donors for supporting us.

Happy Veterans Day!

Comment Below:
How do the Veterans in your life enrich the SBC community?

*Source: ACS 2012-16 Five-Year National Estimates Veterans Select Demographic Data.
**Source: HAC Louisiana State Report.