MAK-AIRS

Below is an article from the United Way of Greater Kansas City's Tocqueville newsletter about Chris Stout. Chris will be a presenter at the MAK-AIRS conference this year. Don't miss it!

One-Stop Help for Our Veterans

Chris Stout, United Way's Veterans Navigator, in his office, reads correspondence he has received from Kansas City-area veterans seeking assistance.

In the military, soldiers commemorate their last day in battle as their “Alive Day,” and celebrate it as an anniversary every year afterwards.
For Chris Stout, who served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan and won the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, his last day in battle was May 5, 2005. That’s the day he was shot three times, and he struggled to recover and return to a normal life for several years afterwards. Today, Chris says the “Alive Day” he celebrates is the day he met another veteran who helped him get back on the right track to a healthy and productive life.
And now Chris, who is United Way’s Veterans Navigator, provides that same help and support to other military veterans throughout Greater Kansas City. He says it’s the best job he’s ever had. Chris works one-on-one with veterans who call United Way 2-1-1 for help, linking them with the various resources they need to help with medical care, housing, employment, support services and more.
More than 9,000 military veterans in Greater Kansas City live in poverty, and they have higher unemployment rates and more health-related issues than non-vets do. That's why United Way has convened more than 60 metro-area agencies that work with veterans. Through the United Way Veterans Alliance, they now work together to expand and enhance the resources available to help our local veterans.

In addition to hiring Chris as our Veterans Navigator, United Way also has a comprehensive database of resources specifically for veterans at United Way 2-1-1 Online, and provides funding for many of the programs serving vets throughout our community.