Officer Jackson (left) and VA worker Whitney Thomas (right)
Twice a week, Officer Jackson partners up with Whitney Thomas of the Durham VA Health Care System. Since many of these veterans can’t make the trek to Durham, the pair hops in the ACORNS mobile unit and visits a local soup kitchen and high visibility areas in downtown Raleigh.
Their goal is to connect homeless veterans with much needed resources like getting their VA documents and an identification card. This paperwork helps them get benefits, including substance use and mental health counseling.
“It’s the best feeling in the world knowing we are helping them,” said the VA’s Thomas. “The VA was excited to team up with the Raleigh Police Department.”
“We do the legwork so they can get what’s owed to them,” Jackson tells us. “It can be a tough system to navigate.”
Officer W.R. Thomas is an Army vet and 14 year member of the Raleigh Police Department
Jackson, an Army vet himself, has been with the Raleigh Police Department for nearly 14 years. When the ACORNS unit started the veteran’s outreach program a few months ago, he didn’t hesitate to jump on board. He calls it his dream job.
“Even though I served in the Army, I was never deployed into combat. Some of these people left a lot more on the field that I ever did and they deserve our help,” Jackson explained.
Jackson estimates they connect with as many as 5-10 veterans every day they’re on the street. He says people are always surprised that the Raleigh Police Department is behind the program.
“It’s not a conventional role for us and that surprises them,” Jackson said. “But, if I can help these people navigate the VA system, they are super gracious. And for me, it’s exciting to give folks a little bit of hope.”
Officer Jackson talking with a military vet.
And hope is exactly what Michelle Lofton found when she stopped by the ACORNS van. An Army veteran, she’s homeless and told us she often feels isolated.
Jackson and Thomas are helping her with peer support and getting her much-deserved benefits.
“I was in distress,” Lofton admitted. “But, when I saw the van and talked with Jackson all I could think was thank you, Jesus!”