• (833) 222-(MACV)6228
  • mac-v@mac-v.org
MAC-V
  • Donate Now
  • Menu Canvas
    • Home
    • Who We Serve
    • Our Services
      • Housing
      • Employment
      • Vetlaw
        • Justice Involved Veterans
    • Get Help
      • Submit a Request for Service
      • Find a Local Office
      • Resource Directory
    • About Us
      • 2024 Annual Report
      • Our History
      • Our Leadership
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • Philanthropic Partners
      • Digital Resources
      • Work For MACV
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Support
      • Volunteer
      • Contact Us
      • FAQs
      • Donation Information
    • Donate Now
  • (833) 222-(MACV)6228
  • mac-v@mac-v.org
MAC-V
  • Home
  • Who We Serve
  • Our Services
    • Housing
    • Employment
    • Vetlaw
      • Justice Involved Veterans
  • Get Help
    • Submit a Request for Service
    • Find a Local Office
    • Resource Directory
  • About Us
    • 2024 Annual Report
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Philanthropic Partners
    • Digital Resources
    • Work For MACV
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Support
    • Volunteer
    • Contact Us
    • FAQs
    • Donation Information
  • Donate Now
Minnesota VA explains issues facing veterans today
Home Housing Minnesota VA explains issues facing veterans today

Minnesota VA explains issues facing veterans today

Kim North
November 14, 2022
Housing, News

Commissioner Larry Herke also outlined several ongoing initiatives to address the issues.

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — The official State of Minnesota Veterans Day celebration was back in person this year at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights. The event began with a community breakfast followed by remarks by veterans and elected officials.

According to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, there are currently more than 77,000 Minnesota veterans who served during times of peace and more than 226,000 who served in times of war. The MDVA reports that most Minnesota veterans are faring well but says many are facing a variety of issues.

“Especially critical are those that are transitioning from active service into the civilian world,” MDVA commissioner Larry Herke said.

A U.S. Army veteran, Herke says there are ongoing initiatives in place to help. He encourages veterans of all ages and branches to visit the VA website for benefits and resources.

“There are services available that you’ve earned,” he explained.

One issue is employment. MDVA says military training and experience often doesn’t fit requirements civilian companies seek.

“We have apprenticeship programs which are very popular with our veterans,” Herke said. “Many of them like to do things with their hands, hands-on, a lot of outdoor work … We also provide support for higher education … things like if they want a welding certificate or anything like that.”

Another issue outlined by MDVA is housing. The department says some veterans have complex rental barriers such as previous rental history, health concerns, and “justice involvement.” The commissioner says MDVA has placed more than 3,000 veterans into secure housing since 2015 and says new government funding and a partnership with nonprofit MACV has helped create new housing for those with the highest barriers.

“Our job is to try to find the right landlord to be able to put those veterans that are becoming homeless or at the homeless level and be able to help and assist them find a place to live,” he said. “I was just at an open house. We had a veteran that came down the hall and he hugged me for at least two minutes. Just said that someone really cared for him and [that’s] giving him a chance to be productive back in society because finding a home is the first step towards that path.”

Herke says there has also been a push to help elderly veterans get into senior care facilities. The largest group of Minnesota’s veterans are from the Vietnam era.

As for mental health, Herke says 30 to 35 percent of veterans are estimated to need help in their lifetime.

“Education of the people that are in society so they know what the signs are,” he said. “Many times, the veterans themselves don’t understand that they’re in a crisis situation and if I can get the pizza man, if I can get the newspaper boy, if I can get the person at the convenience store to be able to identify these signs.”

The commissioner also talked about physical health issues particularly respiratory issues and cancer with younger veterans because of burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. MDVA is responsible for administering and highlighting a number of health and disability-related programs, according to its website.

November 11, 2022, by Kiya Edwards Kare 11  News

Tags: affordable housing Homeslessness Housing Assistance Kare 11 MACV MACV Metro Region MDVA Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans Veteran Employment Veterans Veterans Day
Previous Story
MACV Veteran Story: John
Next Story
Outstanding work by our own Norma Ziegler!

Search

Categories

  • Causes
  • Employment
  • Feature Story
  • Housing
  • Legal
  • News
  • Outreach
  • Services and Other
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteers
  • Ways To Give
Apartments @StandForHeroes Amy Wicklund 2023 festival Announcement Ashley Stai 1-651-200-4750 Army Veteran 22-2 Allie Andersen Ajay Vogar Aging Veterans @mnstatefair auction ADU Apple Autos 2021 2024 Salute To Servicewomen Golf Classic Advocacy Anoka Apartments For Veterans American Legion Alcoholism 3M Alan Vanhoever 988 Press 1 23rd Veteran Amanda Hooper AJ Brock Armed Forces American Legion Juniors Arlington House aspen Air Force Veteran American Indian OIC @lionsclubs Art Annual Report American Legion Auxiliary Allen Henry affordable housing Accessory Dwelling Unit 9/11 5 Reasons Why 2025 Salute To Servicewomen Golf Classic
  • FAQ’s
  • SUPPORT
  • DONATE NOW

Talk With Us

Click to send us a message.

MACV

MACV is a Veteran nonprofit organization with the mission to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota.

  • ST. PAUL
    1000 University Avenue West
    Suite 10, St. Paul, MN 55104
  • (833) 222-(MACV)6228
  • mac-v@mac-v.org
    (For donations please mail here.)

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Who We Serve
  • Our Services
  • Get Help
  • About Us
  • Events
  • Blog

Support

  • Contact Us
  • FAQs
  • Donate Now
  • Privacy Policy

Our Locations

Copyright MACV ©2023
campaign
Send us your event


SearchPostsLogin
Thursday, 19, Jun
Construction begins on $5.5 million Veteran housing project in Eagan
Wednesday, 18, Jun
Groundbreaking in Eagan Marks Major Step for Minnesota Veterans
Wednesday, 11, Jun
Leadership in Action: Sergeant Major Sadie Rezac Honored at MACV’s Summer Salute
Wednesday, 11, Jun
MACV’s 3rd Annual Summer Salute: Connection, Community, and a Clear Path Forward
Tuesday, 10, Jun
Providers gather at CHS field to support Minnesota veterans for ‘Summer Salute’
Tuesday, 10, Jun
MACV’s Summer Salute connects veterans with lifesaving resources, with help from WCCO viewers

Welcome back,