Here’s a fact that might surprise you: Military veterans are more likely to experience homelessness than the general population. And when you look specifically within members of the military who have had combat exposure and PTSD the risk is even higher.

Rebecca Deelstra, the Managing Director of Marketing and Business Development with Volunteers of America Dakotas, and Ben Klusmann, the Director of Veterans Services at VOA Dakotas.

Their goal is to provide services for at-risk veterans in hopes of reducing the number of veterans who are spending their nights in a shelter, or worse, on a South Dakota street. They joined us to tell us more about how they’re doing that and, more importantly, how you can help.

Volunteers of America, Dakotas is a 2023 Vern Eide Mitsubishi Tradition of Caring Grant Recipient. VOA Dakotas works with the most vulnerable people in the Dakotas, helping them rebuild whole lives, reach their potential, and become productive members of our communities. You can help them change lives and impact our community by working, volunteering or donating to VOA Dakotas. Contact them by phone at 605-344-1414 and online at VOAdakotas.org. As a 2023 Vern Eide Mitsubishi Tradition of Caring Recipient, they focus on bringing higher levels of care and safety through safe, nurturing environments where individuals and families become healthy and self-sufficient.