Legion launches program to help homeless veterans in NB

OROMOCTO, NB – The Royal Canadian Legion New Brunswick Command is launching a program to help homeless veterans.

Called “Operation Leave the Streets Behind,” the program is already in British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia.

“In one area we found a 76-year-old man who was on the street,” said Paul Poirier, chair of the program. “Today, he’s in a veterans’ unit. And, we found some that were young. The youngest one was 27 years old.”

Provincial president Rick Love said the program has already helped six veterans in New Brunswick. Three cases are being worked on right now.

“A veteran is one that likes to keep to himself,” said Love. “And do anything for himself that he can.”

Operation Leave the Streets Behind helps veterans with accommodations and rent, food vouchers and medical assistance. It’s funded by the Royal Canadian Legion which “doesn’t make much sense,” to Poirier.

“It doesn’t make sense to me at all. I don’t know what they would do without the legion,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It doesn't make sense to me at all. I don't know what they would do without the legion," he said.

The Legion will approach community soup kitchens and shelters to look for any veterans in need. Poirier said it’s a cycle that lands veterans on the street.

“The reservist will come home from a tour of duty. When he comes home, the gears start turning in his head and you’re talking about PTSD and eventually that some of them will end up on the street,” Poirier said.