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Media > Veterans Services

People Who Really Care

Elks are stepping up to help thousands of veterans exit homelessness and build stability with Welcome Home Kits. Watch these North Carolina Elks help a Marine exiting homelessness set up her new home and realize "there are people who really care."

Thank you, Dennis!

We rounded up a few of Dennis McAleese's friends to reflect on his more than 20 years volunteering with the Elks Veterans Leather Program.

Breaking Barriers

The Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic provides nearly 400 profoundly disabled veterans with training and rehabilitation through adaptive sports every year. Elks from all over Colorado volunteer thousands of hours to make this clinic a success.

Givers of Hope

“The greatest gift that this committee gives to anyone, any veteran that we place in a house and give a new life, is hope. We are the givers of hope.” Hear about how Elks in New Jersey are working to end veteran homelessness.

Celebrating 75 Years of Serving Veterans

We are thrilled to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Elks National Veterans Service Commission!

Making a House a Home

Next up in our "Coming Home" series, we hear from Elks and VA social workers how Elks volunteers can become directly involved in ending veteran homelessness by "Making a House a Home." Your time matters. You can make a difference! Get involved in our Welcome Home program.

Elks Will Never Forget

“So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them." Elks honor the service and sacrifice of veterans every day of the year. Watch this video to learn how a few of our volunteers feel about giving back to their fellow veterans.

Nothing Short of a Miracle

Elks Scholar Fellow Brianna Bueltmann and Washington, D.C. V.A. Medical Center staff share just how impactful Elks volunteers and resources—like Welcome Home Kits and the Elks Emergency Assistance Fund—can be on veterans’ lives.(Runtime: 2 mins., 5 sec.) #WelcomeHome #EndVeteranHomelessness

Nothing Short of a Miracle

In this video, Elks and staff at the Washington DC VA Medical Center share just how impactful Elks volunteers and resources—like Welcome Home Kits and the Elks Emergency Assistance Fund—can be on veterans’ lives.

Nicole EAF Video

Four years ago, Elks pledged to help end veteran homelessness. Since then, we've helped more than 6,000 veterans exit or prevent homelessness, and establish their new homes. Veterans like Nicole, who says, thanks to the Elks' help, "I feel like I'm building up to who I used to be, but even better."

Be the Spark: Positioned to Make a Difference

Nicole, an Iraqi veteran and mom of two, turned to the Elks' Emergency Assistance Fund when she needed help paying her electric bill. Watch her share her story. #BeTheSpark (Runtime: 2 mins., 30 secs.)

Freedom Grant Webinar 2019-20

Watch this 7-minute webinar to learn about Freedom Grant guidelines and tips on how to make your application stand out!

A Way Forward

Elks at St. Louis, Mo., Lodge No. 9 are helping veterans in their community recover and thrive! With the help of a Freedom Grant, the Lodge hosted an adaptive kayaking event and health fair with Team River Runner and other community partners.

2018 Freedom Grant Webinar

Applying for a Freedom Grant? Watch this quick video for last-minute tips on how to design a good project and make your application stand out!

Elks Voluntary Service Video

Hopkins WH Video

Elks Welcome Home Kits

Watch how one Lodge makes a big impact on the lives of veterans through the Welcome Home Kit program.

Elks Veterans Emergency Assistance Program

At the June 2016 Stand Down for homeless veterans in Chicago, social workers from the Veterans Administration raved about the Elks' new emergency assistance program. Listen to what they had to say in this short video. (Runtime: 2 mins., 20 secs.)

Cover Me: Trust, Trauma, and Life in the Wide Open

Because of trauma due to military sexual assault, Army veteran Angela had trouble feeling safe anywhere. When she lost her housing, the problem only got worse. View the final video in our seven-part series of profiles on formerly homeless veterans. (Runtime: 4 mins., 55 secs.)

The Lonely Road: Illness, Isolation, and the Struggle to Catch Up

For Gerald, a Navy veteran, not having anyone to talk to was one of the worst things about being homeless. Hear his story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 4 mins., 25 secs.)

The Book of Jack: Neglect, Empathy, and Practicing What You Preach

Jack didn't think much about the homeless. He had a good job and a home of his own, so why would he? But when he lost both to health problems, his opinion changed. Hear his story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 3 mins., 50 secs.)

Lost and Found: Heaven, Hell, and the Fine Line Between

Randy felt like dirt. The proud Marine couldn't even get his wife the medication she desperately needed. They were lost in a series of shelters until one day, a man walked in and changed their lives. Hear Randy's story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 5 mins., 8 secs.)

Peace and Quiet: Drugs, Drama, and the Will to Change

Erin was sick of the person she had become. An Air Force veteran, she suffered a nervous breakdown in the 1990s. Drug addiction and chronic homelessness followed. Hear her story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 4 mins., 6 secs.)

Off Course: War, Peace, and a Man's Best Friend

Ryan was steering the U.S.S. Midway when we launched our attack in the Gulf War. Twenty years later, he was living in a tent. Hear his story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 4 mins., 21 secs.)

Resurfacing: Crime, Dumpsters, and the Sweet Sound of Keys

Shortly after the Gulf War, Rickey, an Air Force veteran, was diving into dumpsters and committing petty crime to stay alive. Hear his story in this profile of a formerly homeless vet. (Runtime: 5 mins.)

One Last Stand: The Fight against Homelessness

On any given night, an estimated 50,000 veterans are living on the streets. Meet seven vets who were there recently but have now exited homelessness with help from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and community partners like the Elks. Then learn more about the Elks' commitment to eliminating the scourge of veteran homelessness at http://www.elks.org/vets/welcomehome.cfm. (Runtime: 8 mins., 45 secs.)