Since 1926, The Royal Canadian Legion has operated a Service Bureau providing a continuum of assistance to veterans and their families through representation, benevolent assistance and advocacy. This service has included assisting homeless or near homeless veterans.

The plight of homeless and near homeless veterans is of growing concern, which is why the national homeless veterans program called Leave the Streets Behind was launched in 2012. The Leave the Streets Behind program’s mission is to reach out to homeless veterans or near homeless veterans by providing immediate financial assistance and support when and where needed and connecting them with the appropriate social and community services to establish a long-term solution.

Almost 1,000 homeless and near homeless veterans have been helped by The Royal Canadian Legion through this program.

Legion branches across the country have been fielding an increased number of poppy trust fund requests from veterans of all ages and walks of life for emergency funds to assist with rent to avoid eviction, food, clothing and emergency needs with an emphasis on near homeless veterans.

It is anticipated that there will be an increase in the number of veterans coming forward with both physical and psychological injuries as a result of the high operational tempo over the last 20 years and the number of multiple tours. The Legion is ensuring consistent financial support is available in each provincial command to meet the demand when and where needed. The Legion has the experience, knowledge and capacity through the Service Bureau Network to reach out to veterans and make a difference.

If you are aware of a homeless veteran or of a veteran needing assistance, please call 613-591-3335, or toll-free at 1-877-534-4666, to speak with a service officer or e-mail us at servicebureau@legion.ca or visit our website, www.legion.ca, to contact a command service officer in your area.

Serving You is written by Legion command service officers. To reach a service officer, call toll-free 1-877-534-4666, or consult a command website.