[Source: Connie Cone Sexton, Arizona Republic] — Levi Caddell’s comments came near the end of the meeting, but he seemed to provide one of the clearest reasons why those around him had gathered at the Phoenix hotel today. “Three years ago, I was a homeless vet on the streets of Phoenix,” he said. “But the system works. They gave me my life back.” Caddell, 56, was giving thanks to the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Central Arizona Shelter Services, and other groups in the Valley that help the homeless. Caddell now serves as a veteran support specialist for CASS in Phoenix. His is just one success, VA employees said. They want more.
It was why they brought together representatives of non-profit groups and organizations that assist the homeless or veterans. The meeting was part of an initiative by Project CHALENG, a federal Department of Veterans Affairs program that stands for Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education, and Networking Groups. Each year, leaders of Project CHALENG ask groups or organizations assisting the homeless to fill out a survey to help discover the unmet needs of homeless veterans. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
Downtown Voices Coalition 