HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Open Doors works with people of all backgrounds to combat homelessness and find their place in society.

When people enlist in the military, they receive basic training. In basic training, future soldiers learn how to be soldiers and separate them from civilian life. After their time in the military, they must return to civilian life, and Nate Riddle, executive director of Open Doors, said that can be difficult for some veterans.

People experiencing homelessness have unique needs and stories to tell, Riddle said. It can be difficult for veterans to navigate due to bureaucracy. Riddle said Open Doors should contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the resources they offer to help a veteran struggling with homelessness.

“They desperately need the same services. Counseling and case management to find housing solutions,” Riddle said. “There are specific services that we can connect them to because there are a lot of elements to consider when they have those direct benefits and when they have a certain type of income that the general population doesn’t have.”

According to VA:

• In 2023, 35,574 veterans were homeless.
  • 20,067 of these veterans found housing while looking for a permanent solution.
  • Of these, 15,507 were left without shelter and were forced to live in places such as park benches, abandoned buildings and streets.

Advocacy and donations can help homeless people access the resources they need, Riddle said. He also said there is no specific identifying physical characteristic that might indicate someone is homeless. Instead, he encouraged people to listen to everyone’s story and learn more about that person.

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