Helping Hawaii's homeless Veterans

By Spc. Paxton Busch (PRMC)November 5, 2014

Receiving recognition
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Tripler Army Medical Center's Commander, Col. David Dunning (right), accepts a Council of the City and County of Honolulu Certificate Declaration, given by Kymberly Pine (left), Councilmember, District One, recognizing TAMC for homeless outreach and ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Counseling services
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Rolly Alvarado (left), readjustment counseling technician for Vet Center, and Oliver Alvarado (right), work study for Vet Center, brought their truck to offer counseling services to the homeless Veterans at the homeless outreach event held at the Wai... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Happy to volunteer
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Volunteers, Rolly Alvarado (left), readjustment counseling technician, Vet Center, Oliver Alvarado (center), work study, Vet Center, and Irene Sua (right), Human Resources Division, Tripler Army Medical Center, are happy to be helping the homeless Ve... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Chow time!
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Volunteers come out to support Hawaii's homeless Veterans
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Volunteers from Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC), Schofield Barracks Health Clinic (SBHC), and 18th MEDCOM teamed up to help homeless veterans in need on October 25, 2014 at the Waianae Civic Center.

Re-Shaping the Future of our Ohana, the theme of the homeless outreach event, provided TAMC, SBHC, 18th MEDCOM, and other agencies the opportunity to join together with the same goal of helping the homeless Veterans along with their families of Hawaii.

The one-stop event provided free resources such as medical services, substance abuse treatment, clothing, entitlement benefits, housing opportunities, ID cards, hygiene products, as well as other resources and referral services to better help the homeless veterans, as well as counseling from the Chaplains of TAMC.

"We saw a great need among Hawaii's homeless Veterans and we want to do our part to make a difference with our brother and sisters in arms," stated Chaplain (Capt.) Mark Nikont.

Among the services being offered, the Veterans were able to enjoy a meal with entertainment from the TAMC Choir.

Nikont says the TAMC Chaplains saw an opportunity for Soldiers and staff to demonstrate their appreciation for all those who have gone before and served by helping those who are hurting outside the hospital walls.

"We hope to show Hawaii's homeless Veterans and their families that there are people who love and care for them and appreciate their sacrifice to our nation," stated Nikont. "This is the first time Tripler has done a homeless outreach with a focus on Veterans and their families and it won't be our last. We look forward to even more opportunities to serve our community."

TAMC's Commander, Col. David Dunning, also accepted a Council of the City and County of Honolulu Certificate Declaration, recognizing TAMC for homeless outreach and community involvement.