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CASE FOR SUPPORT CIRCLE OF FRIENDS FOR AMERICAN VETERANS

Introduction
The Circle of Friends for American Veterans was founded to provide advocacy for those who deserve it the most and have it the least. With no membership requirements or cost for participation, the Circle of Friends for American Veterans brings the cause of homeless veterans to the attention of the American public and holds the politicians' feet to the fire by putting them to work for homeless veterans. The VETERANS' VISION provides a media vehicle for advocacy and informs the public of positive policy changes that need to be made.

The Circle of Friends is a very large operation with a very lean staff, with approximately 67% of donations going directly to support programs for veterans.

I - Shaping Public Policy

Many veteran's organizations are effective in their mission of lobbying the Congress for needed veteran benefits. The Circle of Friends for American Veterans takes a completely different tack by influencing public opinion and thereby affecting public policy in support of veterans, particularly homeless veterans.

The Circle of Friends for American Veterans has organized and conducted dozens of rallies and media blitzes in major cities for the purpose of creating awareness about the problems and solutions regarding homeless veterans. Operations United Reveille I, II, III, and IV have featured Members of Congress, Honor Guards, and a spotlighted local transitional facility for homeless veterans.

Every rally has generated media coverage, including television coverage, bringing the message to literally millions of Americans. Historically, coverage has highlighted the magnitude of the problem of homeless Veterans in America, with the media typically focusing on the good works and successes of the transitional facilities. Shelters report that contributions, referrals, and offers of volunteer help rise significantly after receiving widespread publicity through the media.

II - 150 Forums/Receptions Since 1993

The Circle of Friends for American Veterans brings persuasive pressure on the Congress by sponsoring forums and receptions that allow leaders of America to stand before the public and explain the programs and policies they oversee and answer pertinent questions, often about what they are doing to help homeless veterans.

The highlights of the proceedings are reported to a larger public in a nationwide newsletter, on a well-visited web site, and in a nationwide publication. The headline of a newsletter may declare, "'Homeless Veterans in America is a National Disgrace,' Says Congressman Simmons." The message delivered to Congressional offices, the White House, policy makers, and pundits around the country is that the plight of homeless veterans is real and widespread and that people are out there talking and concerned about it and that now is the time to do more about it.

Since 1993, the Circle of Friends for American Veterans has hosted such meetings that have featured over 30 Members of Congress and over 30 Presidential appointees from the Department of Defense.

III - Appropriations from Congress

Circle of Friends for American Veterans volunteers and staff members have conducted dozens of meetings on Capitol Hill with Members of Congress and their staff, successfully seeking appropriations for transitional facilities for homeless veterans. As a result of such visits, well over $1,000,000 has been appropriated by the U.S. Congress to refurbish the Chesapeake House. This increased funding will almost double the beds available for homeless veterans at a facility in the Washington, D. C. area.

Within the allowable federal guidelines, the Circle of Friends for American Veterans is also supporting legislation for more federal support for the 300 transitional facilities in the United States that provide the vast majority of assistance to homeless veterans. The Veterans Administration is doing the best it can, but it was never designed to provide much assistance to homeless veterans. The VA budget earmarks about $18 million dollars for per diem support for transitional facilities (3/l00s of 1% of its budget), which supports approximately 8,000 beds. Knowledgeable sources believe that 200,000 men and women who served in American uniform are on our streets tonight.

IV - Power of The Media

A separate but adjunct enterprise to the Circle of Friends for American Veterans, celebrating its 14th anniversary in 2008, is the nationwide publication, The VETERANS' VISION. The mission of the publication is to focus the experience and dedication of veterans and the leaders of our country on the challenges facing the country. Original articles submitted by over 100 Members of Congress have focused on issues such as national defense, healthcare for veterans, and the needs of homeless Veterans.

Prior to 2001, The VETERANS' VISION featured several articles about the dangers of domestic terrorism, including one by then Secretary of Defense William Cohen. President George W. Bush and former Vice-President Al Gore have also contributed stories to our journal.

This complimentary publication is distributed at military installations, convenience stores, and all Congressional offices. Since 1996, The VETERANS' VISION has been the only publication physically handed out at the last six national party conventions. In 2004, over 40,000 publications were passed out around the convention sites in Boston and New York City, with the publication being delivered daily to the 40 hotels where the delegates were staying for the week.

Detailed articles in the publication highlighted those Members of Congress who have traditionally supported specific measures that assist homeless and American Veterans. Our unequivocal message to the leaders of America is this: "We are keeping track of exactly what you are doing to ensure that American Veterans will not be left behind, and we are reporting directly to the American public."

V - Direct Financial Support

Over the years, the Circle of Friends for American Veterans has written modest checks for over 25 transitional facilities with a disciplined format for otherwise homeless veterans. Veterans must be drug- and alcohol-free, well groomed, and willing to work. The success rate of such facilities is well over 50%, setting a high standard that gets veterans back into society where they belong.

Marshalling its expertise and creativeness, the Circle of Friends for American Veterans has been able to multiply support for transitional facilities for homeless Veterans. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, almost two million people were forced to evacuate the Gulf Coast. Evacuees were herded into facilities in a wide radius around the areas of devastation, and thousands of Veterans were forced into homelessness and crowded into the hallways of VA facilities, thereby swamping transitional facilities.

The Circle of Friends for American Veterans staff surveyed many facilities in the hardest hit areas, with a focus on seeking out those with the greatest need for services, those that were the most organized to accept help, and those with a history of service. The Circle of Friends for American Veterans sent financial assistance, organized food drives, identified additional bed space for homeless Veterans, and identified other military service organizations with available funds and sought their financial help by referring Executive Summaries to each facility. Each Summary contained vital data in a simple format, including the dates that facilities were established, the number of beds, current occupancies, sources of revenue, key leadership individuals at the facilities, current pressing needs and all contact information for forwarding all types of assistance.