Veteran Services
Thanks to Buzz Smith who is our Veteran Resource Navigator at Easterseals Crossroads for this article
Easterseals Crossroads is very proud of our service to veterans and veteran families. Not only do we help veterans reintegrate into their communities after serving our country, we offer programs that include support for military service members, veterans and their families.
Here are some things to know about our veteran services program.
Many of our veteran services staff members are veterans.
Our veteran services team consists of veterans from various branches of the military, including the Marine Corps, Army and the Navy. All veterans on our team served in Desert Storm. In addition to the veterans on our team, our team also has family members who fought in various other wars including World War II.
We help veterans in a variety of ways.
Our veteran services team works under the Federal Department of Labor Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program Grant (HVRP). HVRP has established two core objectives:
- to provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force
- to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. HVRP grantees accomplish these objectives through a variety of core services.
We partner with other professionals in our community to provide quality services.
In addition to employment, our veteran services team partners with a variety of community partners to assure that our clients receive the supportive services they need, such as housing, training, transportation, education and anything else that will help them in their quest to become an asset to themselves, their families and society. The veteran services team brings in these community partners every other month to Easterseals Crossroads for the Joining Community Forces Indiana meetings. Some of the community partners are Veterans Affairs (VA), Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), Indiana National Guard Family Programs (INNG), WorkOne, Indy Vet Court, Indiana Legal Services, Indiana Military/Veterans Coalition, Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR), HVAF, Operation: Job Ready Veterans (OJRV), Marine for Life (M$L) and many more.
We engage our community to support our mission of providing services for veterans.
One way that the general public can help support our mission is by increasing awareness through the Remembering Our Fallen from Indiana. This exhibit is an awe-inspiring, touring photo display of Indiana’s military who have died in a combat zone since September 11, 2001. The exhibit is available and can be scheduled in a variety of different venues. This memorial not only increases awareness, but also provides funding for services to our clients such as, work clothing, gas cards, tools and other items that will help them in their new job.
How everyone can help.
Understand the differences between memorial day and veterans day.
Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
Simply say thank you to those who have protected us and our country.
A simple “Thank you for your service” is generally accepted with most veterans. Some veterans do not like to be singled out and feel that their service to their country was their duty. Most feel honored to have served.
“Military Veterans who serve our nation are deeply deserving of our honor and respect. Whether in times of war or peace, veterans and their families devote their lives to the service of our country and the freedom and ideals we hold dear. The sacrifices they make are without parallel.
Easterseals Crossroads has served Veterans in a variety of ways for more than 20 years. Most recently, we have devoted a great deal of resources to serving veterans in need as they reintegrate back into civil life after a career in the military. We are honored to serve as a leader in the community in providing the supports necessary to help Veterans thrive.” – Bruce Schnaith, Vice President, Easterseals Crossroads
Contact us for more information about veteran services.
Hot Cider Hustle
We need volunteers for the Hot Cider Hustle!
Saturday, December 7, 2019 | 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
White River State Park, Indianapolis
Easterseals Crossroads is a volunteer partner for the Hot Cider Hustle — a 5K walk/run at beautiful White River State Park. We have agreed to provide volunteers and we will receive donations from All Community Events for doing so. This is a great opportunity to bundle up and start your day early on a cool, crisp December morning and act for Easterseals Crossroads at the same time.
Volunteers will act as registration assistants, food / drink hosts, course marshals and water station hosts. Volunteers will most likely work more than one station during the event.
If you can volunteer, please complete this form. We will update you with pertinent information before race day.
If you would rather run or walk Hot Cider Hustle, sign up today! In addition to all the fun, you will receive some fun perks including a quarter-zip pullover, a finisher mug, apple cider and caramel apples.
Disability Expo 2019
Friday, October 4 | 10 a.m. — 2 p.m.
Easterseals Crossroads Conference Center
4740 Kingsway Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Join us for the latest as it relates to disability financial education and employment information. At Disability Expo 2019 presented by JPMorgan Chase, you can visit vendors, participate in breakout sessions, hear a panel discussion and enjoy lunch — all on us! There is no cost to attend Disability Expo 2019, but you must register by Tuesday, October 1.
Agenda
| 9:30 a.m. | Check In |
| 10:00 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Session |
| 10:30 a.m. | Vendor Fair |
| 11:00 a.m. | Breakout Session (choose one) Financial Education (JPMorgan Chase) Employment (JPMorgan Chase, Easterseals Crossroads and Anthem) |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch with Panel Discussion |
| 1:15 p.m. | Vendor Fair |
Register and/or learn more about Disability Expo 2019.
Remembering Our Fallen National Exhibit
August 2 – August 11 at the Indiana State Fair
Remembering Our Fallen is a photographic war memorial that honors our country’s military who have fallen from The War on Terror since September 11, 2001. Unlike brick and mortar memorials, Remembering Our Fallen is designed to travel and includes both military and personal photos honoring the men and women who lost their lives for our country.
The memorial was created by Bill and Evonne Williams. The Williams’ hope was to honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, to provide comfort to friends and family of our fallen and to remind others of the tremendous cost paid by some. The inspiration for this project came from a story in the Omaha World-Herald about a father whose pain and grief were even greater four years after his son had died in Iraq because he felt his son had been forgotten…and the war was not even over.
To that end, Bill and Evonne decided to do something about it. In November 2010, with the backing of the Omaha World-Herald newspaper and financial support of several sponsors, including Bellevue University, Bill and Evonne created the traveling photo memorial. This memorial included photos of the fallen who had died since September 11, 2001, and called Nebraska home. Over the next few years the Williams decided to create memorials for other states as well.
After completing 19 state memorials, the focus shifted to one National Memorial to encompass the fallen from across the country. This national memorial was unveiled in September 2017 at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., and continues to tour the nation (schedule here), giving Americans across the country the opportunity to honor our fallen.
The National Remembering Our Fallen is scheduled at the Indiana State Fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on August 2 through August 11. This is the first time that the national exhibit has been in Indiana. Visitors will help fulfill the purpose of the exhibit in that a Gold Star’s family eternal hope is that their loved ones will never be forgotten.
Indiana Remembering Our Fallen
In the Spring of 2015, the Williams sought to find a host for the Remembering Our Fallen from Indiana. Easterseals Crossroads Veteran Services stepped in and has been honored to host the Indiana exhibit and tour with it.
The Indiana Remembering Our Fallen can be scheduled within our state for display. Buzz Smith, who manages the display, can deliver, set up and take down the indoor display.
“Our hope for the Indiana exhibit is that people will never take their freedom for granted and know that they are being protected at all costs. Hoosiers should feel safer knowing that there are many more of these heroes all around the world that have given up everything so that we can feel safe at home,” said Buzz.
Easterseals Crossroads helps veterans in our community who are battling housing issues and reintegration back into the workforce. By hosting this memorial, Easterseals Crossroads is also supporting the families of our heroes. It is important that our veteran families know that we remember and we are here to help.
Contact us for more information about veteran services at Easterseals Crossroads.
Job Seeking? Register for Career Expo!
Career Expo 2019 is the place to meet representatives from businesses in our community and discuss potential job opportunities. You must be a job seeker with a disability to attend Career Expo and you must register to attend.
Easterseals Crossroads has partnered with the State of Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Help the World Foundation and Sycamore Services to bring employers and qualified candidates together for our sixth, one-day career event. Registration is still open for businesses in our community to attend.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019 | 9 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Where: Easterseals Crossroads, 5th Floor Conference Rooms, 4740 Kingsway Drive, Indianapolis, IN
The following businesses will be attending Career Expo 2019:
- Community Health Network
- Crossroads Industrial Services
- Eskenazi Health
- Fastenal
- FedEx
- GetGo
- Goodwill Commercial Services
- Huntington Bank
- Indiana University Health
- Inktel Contact Center Solutions
- Kroger
- Marion County Prosecutor’s Office
- Marshalls
- Old National Bank
- University of Indianapolis / Quest Food Management
- Woodforest National Bank
- YMCA of Greater Indianapolis
Please contact us with any questions.
Walking for Dreams
Easterseals Crossroads is excited to be part of Walking for Dreams on Sunday, May 19 – a 5K Family and Pet Walk that was created to help nonprofit organizations raise funds to serve individuals in our community. The event takes place downtown on the canal at Buggs Temple (11th and Senate Avenue, Indianapolis.
Local organizations share the day in this joint fundraiser organized under Walking for Dreams. Walkers of all ages will join together to support their special organization by raising pledges and participating.
JOIN THE FUN
Register and make your initial donation of $35 (for individual) or $75 (family of up to two adults and all children under 22). Your registration fee is considered a donation; we ask that everyone make this initial donation at the time of registration.
Create or join a team and ask your family and friends to donate. You can also collect offline donations. Cash and checks (payable to Easterseals Crossroads) may be sent to Easterseals Crossroads, Attn: AnneMarie Chambers/WFD19, 4740 Kingsway Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46205.
Join us on Sunday, May 19, with your friends, your family, your pet, your coworkers or by yourself to walk the canal in this 5K event. Walk, have fun and support Easterseals Crossroads on what we know will be a beautiful day in downtown Indianapolis!
We ask that all registration (donation) fees are paid before the walk begins on Sunday, May 19. All monies will be accepted onsite at the Easterseals Crossroads check-in table. Cash, check (made payable to Easterseals Crossroads) and credit card payments will be accepted.
TOOLS AND LINKS TO HELP YOU FUNDRAISE
- Upload our Frequently asked Questions flyer.
- Upload an offline registration form.
- Upload sample fundraising templates to copy and paste text that you can use in emails to friends and family.
All donations and money raised for Easterseals Crossroads will go toward helping thousands of families living with disability in central Indiana. This means that YOU could be helping individuals receive life-changing and vital services to live more independent lives.
