Good news out of Arizona. Arizona State Parks has begun a pilot program of hiring homeless veterans to assist in maintaining the areas around and in their state park system. Paid $12/hr and given a trailer to live in they can work up to 1500 hours per year. (9 months @ 40 hrs/wk.) Hopefully they will be able to get back on track during that time. Maybe other states will follow their lead. Time for us to give something back to those that protect us.....DennisComplete Story Here

I'm with you Dennis, this is a great idea.

What a wonderful idea. I hope it catches on in other states too!

I knew there was a reason I loved Arizona other than the weather!!

that sounds like a great program

Arizona State Parks hire homeless veterans | Good Sam Community

JohnnyT
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2013
Folks reluctantly I am going to close this thread. As a citizen, a human , and a veteran the topic of this thread resonates as a good thing. Unfortunately many have attempted to set up a soap box to expand the discussion well beyond the scope of this thread topic and into discussions that are beyond the scope of this forum... That would include some dreadful trolling...

Topic closed

JohnnyT Moderator
J-Rooster
Explorer
Dec 18, 2013
TucsonJim wrote:
Wow - Thanks for sharing!
X-2
Daveinet
Explorer
Dec 18, 2013
Escargot wrote:
Why are any veterans homeless??
The answer is simple but complicated. When one comes back from battle, the re-adjustment to civilian life is very difficult. It's not a switch that can be just turned off. You can't just give someone a house and expect all to be well. Truthfully, this program sounds like it is one leg of what should be a much larger comprehensive program for re-adjustment to civilian life. Suicide has grown significantly amongst veterans. While the army has a very comprehensive program for suicide prevention, I believe the program is fairly new. That program, the Arizona program, these are all steps in the right direction. We have a long way to go, but at least there is some progress.
Escargot
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
Why are any veterans homeless??
Executive45
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2013
Mr.Mark wrote:
IDman wrote:
Sounds good but it makes me wonder: How will they find full-time meaningful jobs if they are working out in the State Parks 40 hours a week?

It seems to me if a Veteran applies for the job, that IS the job they want. And, that job may be very meaningful to them.

MM.

That still leaves 128 hrs/week..:W..Plus, they are also getting some "hands on" experience to put on their resume...IMHO, if I'm looking to hire someone, it just looks better if he's working than it does if he simply says he's homeless..:E....Dennis
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
IDman wrote:
Sounds good but it makes me wonder: How will they find full-time meaningful jobs if they are working out in the State Parks 40 hours a week?

It seems to me if a Veteran applies for the job, that IS the job they want. And, that job may be very meaningful to them.

MM.
IDman
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
Sounds good but it makes me wonder: How will they find full-time meaningful jobs if they are working out in the State Parks 40 hours a week?
Sully2
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
Somebody give it an amen!!.... AMEN!
amandasgramma
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
Not a "great" idea......it's a FANTASTIC idea!!!
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Dec 17, 2013
I agree, great program!