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Challenges continue, offers of help abound for unhoused Bloomington veteran

Herald-Times - 11/24/2021

Nov. 23—Cold weather that set in recently took a toll on Anthony Lee Julian, who sleeps most nights at Bloomington'sWheeler Mission in a room with dozens of other men who also have no home.

Julian got sick and ended up at the emergency room at IU Health Bloomington Hospital, where the 70-year-old U.S. Army veteran was diagnosed with pneumonia and received medication.

Caseworker Nicole Thomas said Monday that after a recent article in The Herald-Times about Julian's plight, and his hope for a home by Christmas, the mission got a call offering help.

The Rev. Alan Phillips from Bloomington'sSherwood Oaks Christian Church offered money from an emergency services fund to buy dentures for Julian. He has an initial dental appointment Nov. 29. The church also will pay one month of rent once Julian is established in a home.

Thomas said the process of finding Julian a one-bedroom apartment is underway.

Julian said during an interview the week of Veterans Day that he is diabetic, has a clogged artery in his leg and other health issues. Being in close quarters with so many, he is at risk for COVID-19. Julian hasn't gotten vaccinated, and said he won't.

His story also caught the attention of The Journey Home in the town of Winchester, a transitional residential facility for homeless veterans. Director Eldon Solomon contacted the newspaper and said the facility, which gets VA funding, might be a good option for Julian.

The center is 140 miles northeast of Bloomington. "He is the kind of veteran we are looking to help get off the street," Solomon said. "We work with veterans and help them get services they need for a longer sustainable life in a home. We have beds available and would like to help Mr. Julian."

After the Veterans Day story, The Herald-Times also heard from a man who wants to donate money to Julian. Another reader sent a letter with a check enclosed to pass along.

Two families said they would welcome Julian at their dining room tables on Thanksgiving, honored to serve a military veteran.

"We just lost our dad, who was a veteran as well," Nancy Osborne said. "We would like to invite Mr. Julian for Thanksgiving."

Tracking him down to relay the messages and letter wasn't easy. Julian's cellphone often goes unanswered and the voice mailbox is full, so callers can't leave a message. He usually can be found at Wheeler for meals, served at 6 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. Sometimes he's watching movies in the dayroom reserved for Wheeler clients.

About 5 p.m. Monday, Dana Jones, director of Wheeler Mission's Center for Men, found out Julian had been taken by ambulance back to the hospital that afternoon.

Thomas, the caseworker who works with unhoused clients to help get them back on track, said she has been seeing more veterans of late than she has in the past.

The pandemic, mental health issues, substance abuse — they all have contributed to more veterans facing homelessness, and Thomas sees it up close in her office.

Jones said even though there won't be a low-barrier emergency winter shelter in Bloomington this year, like there was when the coronavirus pandemic raged a year ago, there are options for unhoused people such as Julian seeking a bed for the night.

"Bloomington shelter providers are offering a variety of accommodations to meet the special needs of those experiencing homelessness this winter," Jones said.

Beacon Inc. has Friend's Place, a 40-bed shelter that can serve 28 men and 12 women. New Hope for Families offers shelter and childcare for seven families. Middle Way House is there for anyone fleeing domestic violence.

It's Wheeler Mission on Westplex Avenue off West Third Street that has the most capacity for overnight accommodations. There are 117 beds for men and 40 for women, at a nearby location. Both of Wheeler's facilities operate year-round low-barrier shelters.

The men's shelter had 86 guests this past Sunday night and the women's shelter averages 22, Jones said.

During cold-weather months from November through March, Jones said, Wheeler relaxes rules that can be admission barriers, allowing even intoxicated people to stay at the sites "to provide a safe winter shelter from potentially life-threatening conditions."

Jones said while some people think those who stay at Wheeler Mission and go there for meals and other services must adhere to religion-based programs, that is not true.

Although it is a Christian-founded organization, Wheeler Mission-Bloomington does not require guests to adhere to any Christian or other religious practices to receive services, Jones said. "That would hinder our mission, to help the people we serve."

Contact reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com, 812-331-4362 or 812-318-5967

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