Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada
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Mission Statement
To provide immediate, on-the-ground support to Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or in crisis.
About This Cause
Veterans Emergency Transition Services or VETS Canada is a volunteer driven, federally registered charity. With an aim to provide aid and comfort to Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the RCMP who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or otherwise in crisis, VETS Canada was founded in 2010 by Jim and Debbie Lowther. VETS Canada’s humble beginning was the result of a chance encounter. Jim, a 15-year Veteran himself, having been medically released from the CAF due to injuries sustained while serving was struggling to find a new purpose in his life. Encouraged by Debbie to reconnect with things he enjoyed in the past, Jim remembered feeling a sense of fulfillment during times of volunteering in his community, so he went to a Sunday supper at Saint Andrews church in Halifax to help serve hot meals to those less fortunate. It was there that Jim encountered a familiar face; someone he had served with in the military. Sadly, this Veteran was struggling, and he was without permanent housing; he was a “couch surfer.” This Veteran pointed out three other Veterans in the room who were in similar situations – all homeless. Without hesitation, Jim gave these Veterans all the money he had in his pockets, but he knew that wasn’t enough – more had to be done. This is Canada, after all, Jim thought; how could someone who served his country be homeless? Jim and Debbie knew that if there were four Veterans attending one Sunday supper, there had to be more. They decided to make it their mission to seek out these Veterans who were homeless and assist them as best they could. They put together a small group of other Veterans and began visiting shelters and walking the streets of Halifax. Through the power of social media, it wasn’t long before word spread about what they were doing, and they began receiving requests for help from Veterans across the country. VETS Canada quickly evolved into the organization it is today. Charitable status was received in 2012. Over the years, VETS Canada has expanded its mission from supporting only homeless Veterans to also assisting those who are “in crisis.” Whether that crisis is a pending eviction, being unable to afford groceries or a hydro bill, or simply needing a listening ear, VETS Canada is able to provide support. Preventing homelessness has become the largest part of their work. In 2014, VETS Canada became service providers for Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). The majority of the Veterans VETS Canada supports are referred by VAC. VETS Canada continues to support Veterans across the country with the help of hundreds of volunteers, most of whom are Veterans themselves, which lends itself to a wonderful element of peer support. In response to an incredible increase in funds spent on food insecurity, VETS Canada will be opening a Veterans Community Pantry (food bank) in January 2025. In 2014, there was a period of time when there were several suicides completed by Veterans. Jim Lowther was deeply affected by this and felt the need to do something. Having relied heavily on music and his guitar to get him through his own dark times, he felt that perhaps playing guitar could save others, and he came up with "Guitars for Vets, Canada." This has become a very successful program offered by VETS Canada. The concept is very simple. Veterans or still serving members are provided a free, new or gently used guitar and access to 10 free lessons. To date, hundreds of guitars and lessons have been provided with many of the veteran participants claiming that the guitar saved their lives.