Delaware's Only Veterans Shelter Full

Reported by Jeremy Tucker
Delaware's Only Veterans Shelter Full

05/11/2008 5:50 PM ET

MILFORD, Del. - Delaware's only homeless shelter for veterans is bursting at the seams. Nationwide, nearly 25 percent of homeless people have served their country. And the shelter's director says it is getting harder for veterans to get by.

Veteran Kevin Arnold lost his job about a year ago and came to live at the shelter. He served his country in the 1980's, but is now being helped by Home of the Brave.

"I've been searching for a job for a long time actually even though I am a college graduate with an environmental sciences degree," said Arnold.

Arnold said with a weak economy, it is getting harder for veterans to get by. The problem is even worse for those with medical problems, some caused by war, who cannot pay their bills.

According to Delaware's Homeless Planning Council, about 17 percent of people in homeless shelters in the state are veterans. And 32 percent of the people living on the streets served in our armed forces.

The shelter's director, Rich Pokorny, said many people simply do not realize there are a growing number of homeless veterans.

Pokorny says, "It surprises a lot of people that a veteran could be homeless. They're no different than other people, they served their country, but they can still fall on hard times."

Everyone has a job at the shelter. And every veterans goal is to get back on their feet and leave. But while they stay at the shelter, most veterans said they feel right at home.

All around the shelter you will find reminders about the kind of people who are living at Home of the Brave.

They are people who bravely served their country, who are now being served by the shelter. They are men and women who have seen better times, but still have hope for a better future.

To donate to the shelter you can send checks to:

Home of the Brave

6632 Sharps Road

Milford Delaware, 19963.

The shelter also accepts gift certificates, phone cards, canned goods, baked foods and cleaning products.

http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8306982