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U.S.VETS helps homeless veterans like Babs Ludikhuize
Join U.S.VETS client and U.S. Air Force veteran Babs Ludikhuize this and every Veterans Day when you Make Camo Your Cause to #HONORUSVETS.
LOS ANGELES - Babs Ludikhuize enlisted in the Air Force directly out of high school in 1979. Fueled by a love of cars and tinkering with engines, she learned to drive heavy trucks while shuttling supplies around the high desert.
Tragically, she experienced sexual trauma while serving. After that, she became homeless, misused speed, struggled with her mental health and survived domestic violence that left her with severe injuries.
Fortunately, Ludikhuize was referred to U.S.VETS, where she found stable housing, counseling and a peer network in a therapeutic community. She now participates in the peer network as a volunteer, uplifting other veterans who struggle with addiction.
"Because of the crucial support U.S.VETS has given me, I’m thankful that I have a place to call my own," offered Ludikhuize, who has two grown daughters and four grandchildren. "I’ve been homeless for a long time. I’m finally able to start bringing my stuff back into my home – things that are important to me, things from my children, and items that were stashed in different places all around Southern California."
Babs Ludikhuize (courtesy U.S.VETS)
This year, Ludikhuize agreed to share her personal story as U.S.VETS' veteran ambassador for their annual "Make Camo Your Cause" campaign.
"U.S.VETS has helped tens of thousands of homeless veterans have a place to call home," said CEO Steve Peck. "We’re grateful to our supporters who make it possible for us to offer the housing, mental health support, career programs and wraparound services that help veterans reclaim their dignity and self-worth."
"We appreciate Babs’ willingness to share her own personal struggles with abuse, addiction and homelessness so openly to encourage other women to seek the support they need and deserve," he added. "While Babs’ road to recovery and stability has certainly not been easy, her path to regain her independence serves as an example of how veterans thrive when surrounded by a positive system of support."
- To donate and learn more on how you can help U.S.VETS end veteran homelessness, visit go.fox/usvets.
What is ‘Make Camo Your Cause’?
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"Make Camo Your Cause" campaign gives homeless veterans a new start
Meet Patrick Carl Henderson, a U.S. Army veteran and family man who never thought he'd end up living on the streets. Here's how the U.S.VETS organization helped him turn his life around.
U.S.VETS seeks to bring visibility and awareness to the struggle of homeless veterans with the mission to end veteran homelessness in the United States, and its CEO intimately understands the struggle of many who have served — he’s a veteran himself.
"I was a Marine in Vietnam in 1969 and ‘70 and that is obviously a significant experience in anyone’s life," Peck, the organization’s CEO and president, told FOX Television Stations back in 2021. "I was quite disturbed by what I saw and did over there."
Launched in 1993, U.S.VETS is the largest nonprofit organization with boots on the ground to combat America’s veteran homeless crisis head-on. Its comprehensive approach provides housing, counseling, career and supportive services to help U.S. veterans rebuild and thrive.
PREVIOUS: ‘Make Camo Your Cause’ campaign brings struggle of homeless veterans to light
U.S.VETS launched its campaign called "Make Camo Your Cause" to establish the camouflage print as the official symbol to honor veterans. It's now sponsored nationally by City National Bank and FOX Corporation.
"We have the vision of connecting camo to what we do, so whenever you see camo one day, we hope people connect that to supporting and ending veteran homelessness," Shalimar Cabrera, the executive director of U.S.VETS, said.
How to get involved
FOX Corporation is partnering with U.S.VETS for the "Make Camo Your Cause" campaign for the fourth straight year to help end veteran homelessness.
For the fourth straight year, FOX and its employees are partnering with the U.S.VETS "Make Camo Your Cause" campaign by spreading awareness and wearing camo to support the cause on Veterans Day.
But the campaign is not exclusive to FOX employees. U.S.VETS encourages every American to:
- Shop exclusive camo apparel at shop.usvets.org to benefit U.S.VETS.
- Wear camo on Veterans Day, November 11.
- Share camo through social media using #HONORUSVETS on Veterans Day.
- Donate $11 on or before 11/11 to help prevent and end veteran homelessness.
U.S.VETS is also looking for volunteers in the fight against veteran homelessness. The national nonprofit relies on corporate and community support to help reach its goal through partnerships including direct financial contributions, employee giving and matching gifts, campaigns, grants and employee volunteer engagement.
Employers can also "hire a vet" through the U.S.VETS Career Network, which connects professional and student veterans with lasting careers they love.
- To donate and learn more on how you can help U.S.VETS end veteran homelessness, visit go.fox/usvets.
This station is owned by the FOX Corporation.