For the past four years, one small organization of dedicated volunteers has been providing emergency help for veterans in Maine, no matter what time of day or night. All-volunteer Maine Veterans in Need (MVN) takes their calls, explained David Patch CDR/USN (Ret) who helped found the organization in 2020.

MVN was created to bridge the gap between a veteran's emergency needs and the often lengthy processes required to qualify for help from federal and state agencies. Because grants from government entities would slow its response in an emergency, only non-government funds and donations are used.

"My phone is never off because emergencies often happen when state and federal offices are closed for the day. We can act immediately to stabilize the situation," explained Patch. Veterans are referred to the MVN phone number via Maine's 211 system as well as through first responders, law enforcement, VA social and case workers and Maine Bureau of Veteran Services.

Patch reported calls are coming in at a rate of five or six each day. According to 211 Director Derek Morin, 211 made 334 referrals to Maine Veterans in Need Program over the past year. "Some of those were warm transfers - made directly while someone was on the line with 211, and some were providing information to callers," Morin explained.

Every month, another 30 veterans in Maine are added to those being helped by the organization and MVN's work continues after the emergency is stabilized.

"Maine Veterans in Need fills a critical gap for our bureau," David A. Richmond, director of Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services (MBVS) told The Register in a recent phone interview. "Our Homeless Veterans Coordination Team is available weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. When a situation arises at 4:30, MVN is often the only solution a veteran can turn to for shelter now. MVN can put them into a hotel in an hour or less," Richmond explained.

Richmond also praised MVN for helping veterans after they have exhausted all resources the VA can provide. If the veteran still isn't in permanent housing, they can turn to MVN as a last resort when all other agencies are exhausted. MVN can put the veteran into a hotel for a few nights, until the MBVS Homeless Coordination Team can assist with housing.

Using its funds, MVN works to stabilize the emergency quickly by arranging for food or gas cards, emergency hotel rooms, phone cards, TracFones, phone services, or heating oil, among other needs. When emergency hotel accommodations are needed, MVN is reimbursed $50 per night by BMVS, although the cost of the hotel room is usually a good deal more and is paid by MVN.

As an example, one call came to MVN on a Friday night from a Good Samaritan in Scarborough, who found an elderly unhoused man with a service dog. Because the dog hadn't received vaccinations recently, the veteran couldn't bring it into a shelter.

After a few questions, MVN immediately found a place for the veteran and dog to stay that night and arranged for the appropriate vaccinations for the service animal. Thanks to MVN's assistance, the veteran was able to get into a housing program.

As its website explains, after an initial review of the need MVN is usually able to stabilize the situation for the veteran quickly and efficiently and Patch said the organization rarely needs to spend more than $500 per veteran to deal with an emergency.

"Often, there is no cost involved. The agencies can't take calls from upset veterans after hours but we do and by speaking directly to them we can help them calm down."  Health Affiliates Maine has a contract to assist veterans and MVN is training the caseworkers who will work with veterans.

Information provided by Ryan Lorrain, MBVS director of communications said, "According to our records, our Homeless Coordination team is working with 90 homeless veterans and 26 who are considered at-risk of becoming homeless." Additional MBVS information shows Maine's projected veteran population is 104,568. Veterans make up more than 9% of the state's adult population, putting it in the top 10 U.S. states for concentration of adults who served in the military.

Many of the veterans with emergencies are disabled and need help getting into the system, Patch explained. Those who are experiencing homelessness aren't likely to have their discharge papers and Patch is able to use some basic information to check their service record and help them find the appropriate agency, in some cases making sure they are enrolled in the VA health system.

Since its founding, MVN's membership has grown to include organizations and agencies that can help veterans and so it has become a central hub that connects the veteran with the agency that can meet their long-term needs. "They work together with all partners of the Homeless Veteran Action Committee," Richmond said.

"There is a need to work with veterans, one on one, 24/7 and that's what Maine Veterans in Need does," Patch said.

 Donations to keep the emergency help going are needed and very welcome.

Those wishing to contribute may do so via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=G42ASK3SSBN8G

Checks can be sent to Maine Veterans in Need, 62 Pegasus St., Brunswick Landing, Suite 101, Brunswick, 04011. The organization can be reached at any time by calling (207) 751-5672.