He keeps the flag flying outside the facility all the time, even in bad weather and at night. <\/p>\n
\"As long as a veteran is in the rain and snow, the flag is in the rain and snow,\" Evans said. \"As long as they're in the dark, my flag is in the dark.\" <\/p>\n
Evans is director of programs at Restoring Lives, a faith-based recovery and treatment organization in west Tulsa. Thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the organization renovated a facility to help veterans recovering from addiction or leaving the prison system. <\/p>\n
\"Working for three years, doing so much and having the work pay off has been wonderful,\" Evans said. \"It's been a growth.\" <\/p>\n
The Liberty House is the latest tool VA officials have in their goal to end homelessness among the veteran population, a goal the department hopes to achieve this decade. <\/p>\n
\"They put their money where their mouth is for sure,\" said Melanie Goldman, coordinator of homeless veterans programs for the VA in Tulsa. <\/p>\n
The Liberty House fills an important gap in the process in Tulsa by providing that transition from veterans leaving the prison system, she said. <\/p>\n
\"Now we're working closely with them to help them transition out into some sort of stable setting so they're not going straight to the street or straight to the shelter,\" Goldman said. <\/p>\n
For Evans, the Liberty House is a big step for Restoring Lives. His family has members who have served in the military for generations, including his brother who is a combat medic preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. Evans said he received a medical discharge after he was hurt in the military. <\/p>\n
\"This is our passion,\" Evans said. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Continued here:<\/p>\n
Liberty House offers help to homeless veterans<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" He keeps the flag flying outside the facility all the time, even in bad weather and at night. \"As long as a veteran is in the rain and snow, the flag is in the rain and snow,\" Evans said. Continue reading