Text Messaging to Prevent Suicide

Veterans and troops in emotional crisis—and their friends and families—may text to the VA’s Veterans Crisis Line at 83-8255 to receive immediate and confidential support.  The text service is free and is available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and connects a user with a specially trained VA professional—many who are veterans themselves. Click the link for details on the VA’s expanded efforts to prevent suicide

VA Budget Request: $140 billion

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ recently released a report about the President’s proposed $140.3 billion budget for the VA for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. If approved by Congress, the budget would fund services for newly discharged veterans, continue the drive to end veteran homelessness, reduce the disability claims backlog, improve collaboration with the [...]

TLS Hosts Mobile Pantry Visits at LM-VFS, McHenry

Veterans and members of military households can select meats, produce and other foods from a mobile pantry that visits the VFS drop-in center in McHenry, Illinois throughout the year.

Bruce’s Story: Back on His Feet, Working Toward a Goal

Bruce, a veteran who asked that only his first name be used, found himself in a downward spiral that started in his teens with “a long line of bad decisions” and ended with a stay at New Horizons, a transitional-living center for homeless veterans in Hebron, Illinois.

From Homeless to a New Life

TLS believes that much of what is achieved at New Horizons is because of camaraderie among the residents themselves. They encourage each other as they share meals, experiences and friendships.

Find Shelter at New Horizons

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimated in 2011 that 67,000 veterans across the nation were homeless on any given night. About twice that many experienced homelessness over the course of the year. America’s homeless veterans have served in World War II, Korea, the Cold War, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and the military’s anti-drug [...]

Search for Help

The Internet can be helpful to find information about VA benefits

Please Be an Event Sponsor

TLS needs your assistance in our battle to help disadvantaged veterans.
Perhaps you belong to a social or civic organization that would be interested in holding a fundraiser to help veterans. Click here for event planning fundamentals, including ideas to get you started.
Contact TLS’ at 815-679-6667 or info@tlsveterans.org for more information.

Helping Our Heroes

Helping Our Heroes, a charitable foundation serving Illinois, has lived up to its name and has helped TLS in its work to support U.S. troops, veterans and their families.
The help came as an odd mix of coffee and appliances. However, the donations fit the needs of TLS’ newest programs.
Coffee—three cases or the equivalent of 7,500 [...]

Illinois VA Director to Speak at Open House

Lake-McHenry Veterans and Family Services will hold an open house from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at the drop-in center, 5330 Elm St. (Rt. 120), McHenry.
Erica Borggren, the recently appointed director of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, is slated to attend. Warriors’ Watch, a motorcycle group with mission to honor our nation’s warriors and [...]

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