You are currently not signed in. Sign in. About Us Contact Us Advertise With Us

A Simple Celebrity

by Tara Puckey

He’s a celebrity of sorts, protected from the weather by a warm green coat and puffy black gloves. Hissmile is contagious and the deep laugh that escapes him overpowers the soft jingling of Christmas music asit filters through the well-worn van.

People shout his name as the van slowly approaches—many know him. Their breath hits the chilly air andpuffs little clouds of steam at the windows. The lettering that marks the vehicle—Homeless VeteransOutreach Program—has drawn people from their blanketed tents and close conversations.

The driver’s window rolls down slowly and Mike Williams leans out into the cold.

“You guys veterans?” he asks, pauses, and then asks again.

Two men step closer and explain that they are, although their circumstances are complicated. Williamspushes the door open and steps onto the streets to do what he came for—to help.

Williams began working for Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) more than 10 years ago, buthas been focused on their outreach program for the last seven.

“HVAF wanted to start outreach in 2002,” Williams says. “Some people recommended me for the jobbecause I knew the streets as someone who used to be homeless myself. I’ve been doing it ever since.”

The program, one of many offered by the foundation, sends workers into the city streets to provide veteranswith food, clothing and personal hygiene items. Workers also assist in obtaining supportive housing andexplaining benefits the veterans may be eligible for.

Each day, Williams scours homeless spots and lends himself to local missions where veterans go to seekother services. As a Vietnam veteran, Williams can better understand many of the people he helps, makinghis job easier.

“I’m the guy that sees the veterans before they get into our system, whether it is out in the missions or onthe streets,” says Williams. “It’s my job to just let them know what’s available for them.”

Even with the programs offered by HVAF and other veteran resource programs, many are reluctant to leavethe streets. Some prefer the lifestyle they have grown accustomed to, others don’t want to follow the rulesset forth in assisted housing and, as Williams knows, are simply distrustful of the government and assistanceoffered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“These vets,” says Williams, “can be so distrustful of the VA because of their experiences. That just makesthem want to camp out.”

According to HVAF, there are roughly 900 homeless veterans on the streets of Indianapolis each night.

They are veterans of all wars and times—veterans like Keith, who lives in the shadow of the massive LucasOil Stadium, an ironic symbol of affluence and success.

On the streets since August of 2008, the 48-year-old has made his home in a tent along the river. A ravinetangled with brush and branches is his front door and he shares living space and beef jerky with a curiousfox.

He smells of firewood and burning leaves and is bundled in a sweatshirt, jeans and a jacket. The faint scentof sausage remains from his most recent meal, cooked over a fire that serves many purposes.

Home Entertainment Sports Food MilitaryCommunityService Events

Williams sometimes visits him three times a week, providing food, water and other necessities from thefoundation.

Last week, Keith’s bike was stolen. Williams was quick with a replacement.

“He brings me what I need and it means a lot,” says Keith. “There’s a lot of bad people out here so the goodones really stand out.”

Originally from Kentucky, the veteran moved to be closer to family that has not welcomed him into theirhomes.

“It’s tough,” Keith says, “but it’s not the end of the world just because you don’t have a home. It ain’t bad.Not to me.”

Despite the challenges he faces as part of the homeless population—beatings, robberies, hunger—Keithinsists that there are those less fortunate than him.

“I got my discharge papers, but I don’t go places if I don’t need to,” he says. “I know one day I’ll need it,but until that day comes, I’ll let them help other people who need it more.”

He explains that he is satisfied with his life and, although it can be lonely at times, he appreciates being ableto come and go as he pleases.

The man, whose blunt way of thinking brings out more hearty laughs from Williams, does want somethingthough—a tipi.

“If I had a tipi,” says Keith through small bouts of laughter, “I could put my fire inside and have mymorning coffee without even getting out of bed.”

He plans to use cardboard and plastic to block the wind and hold in some heat during cold nights. The onlythings he has yet to figure out are some final plans and finding the manpower to get it standing.

Williams offers to help with supplies for the project and they carry on small talk as Keith choosesnecessities from the back of the van.

“I’m in pretty good humor today,” Keith says. “It is rough out here sometimes but all in all, if you just takeit as it comes to you and try to keep your attitude, you’ll be alright.”

Then, with a few bottles of water in tow, he disappears quietly back down the ravine just as the sun peeksover the stadium.

One Response to “A Simple Celebrity”

1. r4i software says:January 13, 2010 at 12:27 am

This is nice article you share very nice information with us I am very glad to read this one Thank youfor sharing this information with us.

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Submit Comment

Search for: Search

Events Calendar

Comic by John Keown

Photo of the Day

Parking Services

Vermont Garage permits available1200 Indiana Avenue

About us

IUPUI StudentMedia is independentstudent media on thecampus of IndianaUniversity/PurdueUniversityIndianapolis.IUPUI StudentMedia is an auxiliaryenterprise of theIndiana University

HomeSportsMilitaryCommunityServiceFoodEntertainment

Latest Tweets

Thanks to all who followed ourcoverage of #hspa2009. Congratsto all winners from @iupuimedia38 days ago

Thanks to all who followed#hspa2009 coverage thru our site.

School of Journalismat IUPUI. It is a student-runpublishing enterprisefeaturing the work ofstudent journalists.

Email Us

#hspa2009 coverage thru our site.Congrats to all winners from@iupuimedia38 days ago

Copyright 2009 by IUPUI Student Media. All Rights Reserved.