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Center for American Homeless Veterans

Abbreviation	CAHV
Established	1993 (1993)
Founder	MAJ Brian Hampton USAR INF (ret.)
Type	NGO
Purpose	Veterans' organization
Headquarters	210 East Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia
Region served	National
Publication	Veterans' Vision
Website	www.americanhomelessvets.org

The Center for American Homeless Veterans, Inc., is a 501(c)(4) non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization formed in 1993 by MAJ Brian Hampton (retired).

Purpose

The objectives of "The Center," also referred to as "CAHV," are varied. To promote veterans by means of public education. To propose simple and concise solutions to pressing veterans problems (such as homelessness), in an effort of reforming the Veterans Administration (VA). To support public officials and office seeking candidates, primarily through endorsements, all in pursuit of lasting change through policy implementation.

History

Established in 1993, with a presence documented as early as 1992, the Center for American Homeless Veterans has undergone transitional evolution in how it carries out its primary function. Initially, the non-profit focused more on direct aid and rallies, from the years 1993 to 1998, earmarking "its support for homeless veterans located in about 30 different facilities, all in Washington DC." As a flagship program, it began development on the Veterans' Vision publication in 1998, and has produced a new version for national distribution, biennially, every major national election since. This resulted in a re-assignment of key faculties to track candidates and incumbents for re-election, perform outreach and file management, vet performance records and affirmations of the Veterans Bill of Rights (a joint product of both CAHV and the Circle of Friends for American Veterans), issue endorsements, and release these decisions to the respective campaigns and various national media outlets.

Commentary has roused circumventing the effectiveness of the organization as a direct-aid non-profit. The founder, Major Hampton, has clarified that the not-for-profit, while providing some direct-aid, focuses on education and advocacy as the primary purposes. Hampton has also expanded to write that the CAHV should not be evaluated purely from dollar raised/donated measures. He went on to argue that the costs represent an investment in policy change, which go towards collecting and synthesizing information for delivery to: Hill staffers, media outlets, organization constituents, and made publicly available. These funds raised also support administrative staff, intern stipends, and funding to support outreach and to maintain programming.

As of today, the organization has secured over 250 current and former Members of Congress to affirm a primary document of the organization's creation, The "Veterans' Bill of Rights," (VBOR). There are 120 affirming Congressmen and Congresswomen, to date, entering into the 115th Congressional session who have affirmed. The "Veterans' Bill of Rights," outlines four pillars of action to be taken on behalf of American Veterans. These include: making veterans a top priority, upholding the VA to timely answer delivery, negotiation in VA procurement services, and VA collection of insurance fees.

Programs

Apart from the above listed actions, CAHV performs regular outreach to all 535 congressional offices, informing them of updates, and urging prioritization of American veterans as a core agenda matter. Aligned with its consolidated nationwide media campaign, CAHV employs radio interviews, has had cable television appearances, and attends premier summits and events in the locality, primarily centered out of Washington DC. CAHV still supports local transitional facilities for homeless veterans, makes regular in-person trips to congressional and senatorial offices on the Hill, asserts itself as an authority on veteran's issues through an organized, expanding social-network media campaign, and offers direction and assistance to all veterans who call its office. The organization has been referenced as having"a lean staff and a big operation."

Veterans' Vision Publication

The Veterans' Vision Publication is a journal/newspaper published biennially by CAHV, and represents the only print journal handed out at both major parties' conventions. Contributors to the publication since its founding have included notable political figures such as, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Al Gore, Paul Ryan, retired high-ranking members of the military, and executives of Veterans' groups from around the nation. Each cover has been illustrated by Celebrated Kenneth City, FL cartoonist and artist Bruce Norris. Despite it being a separately defined entity, the Veterans' Vision reflects the exact mission of the CAHV: which is to direct the experience and dedication of House leaders towards challenges facing the country's veterans, as well as educate the public on these same issues.

On off years of the publication the organization performs outreach for future articles, and continues to support rallies and fundraisers, such as its historic "15-city tour to highlight the need for more funding to aid the homeless."

Homeless Veteran in New York

See also

• American Legion
• Veterans Day
• Armed Forces Day
• Memorial Day
• List of veterans organizations
• Marines
• Army
• Navy
• Coast Guard
• Air Force

External Sites

http://www.americanhomelessvets.org/home.html

http://www.theveteransvision.com/