Northern Star Online: College Dem’s speaker addresses homeless vet issue in Illinois

A Wheaton shelter is aiding homeless veterans.

During Tuesday night’s College Democrats meeting, Dirk Enger, co-founder of the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton, Ill., spoke on the current status of homelessness among veterans.

“In Illinois alone, there are 20,000 homeless veterans,” Enger said. “And veterans nationwide make up for 35 percent of the homeless population.”

Enger said the shelter, which opened in January 2007, provides homeless veterans with assistance in finding a job and temporary housing.

The shelter he operates is based on a similar one that exists in Boston, and the shelter is currently undergoing renovations that will triple the size of the building, he said.

Enger, a Gulf War veteran, knows personally of the trauma endured by soldiers during their tours of duty and its subsequent effect upon their return home.

“Many find themselves in trouble for acquiring health care and some have had post-war traumatic syndrome,” Enger said.

Kevin Chambliss, president of the College Democrats, encouraged his organization to get involved with the shelter.

“Since the Iraq War has started, several students that go to NIU have been called upon to serve their country,” Chambliss said. “With them doing this, we are allowed to have many freedoms, and I feel that it is our responsibility to help them out by working with this organization.”