Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families is collaborating with the George W. Bush Institute to help post-Sept. 11 veterans overcome the issues of unemployment and homelessness upon their return to the U.S.

The two organizations have been working together on a study for the last several months examining what issues affect veterans the most. The results of the first half of the study were announced at the Empowering Our Nation’s Warriors summit last week in Dallas, said Daniel Savage, chief of staff of IVMF, in an email. The second half of the results will be released in the fall.

Former President George W. Bush launched a military service initiative to help with retired veterans, Savage said.

“As a part of that initiative, the Bush Institute was looking for an academic institution to work with to conduct this study, which is when the IVMF got involved,” he said. “We are under contract with the Bush institute to conduct this work with them.”

According to the study, 71 percent of Americans say that they don’t understand the problems faced by those who have served since Sept. 11.

Two of the biggest problems veterans face are unemployment and homelessness ­— the unemployment rate of post-9/11 veterans is 9.9 percent, compared to the national average of 7.9 percent. Roughly 48,000 post-9/11 veterans are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless, according to the study.

Savage said President Bush feels a strong connection to post-9/11 veterans and wants to help them integrate back into regular culture.

“The events of September 11, 2001 forever changed the lives of all Americans who remember that day, and for President Bush specifically, the terrorist attacks of that day dramatically altered the course of his presidency,” he said.

IVMF and the Bush Institute conducted a review of dozens of academic studies, data sources and various media outlets, and also gave a survey to professionals working with veterans and their families, to understand the current state of veteran affairs in the U.S., Savage said.

He added that the study has focused on different issues facing veterans and is in a transition stage.

“The study has focused on several major areas — employment, education, wellness, families, women veterans and housing or homelessness, and is now transitioning to a phase examining the efficiency and impact of the organizations which serve America’s veterans and their families,” he said.

Some SU students believe veterans deserve help and answers to the problems they face after serving. T.J. Wells, a freshman advertising major, said the veterans and service people are the foundation for the U.S., so it’s a great idea for IVMF and the Bush Institute to try and help our veterans get back to a normal life.

Holden Foshag, a junior entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises major, said he believes the study could be beneficial in order to provide former servicemen and servicewomen better lives upon their return.

Said Foshag: “It’s important that veterans have sustainable living conditions after serving in the military, and if the research they’re doing helps improve their lives then that’s a good thing.”

The Bush Institute could not be reached for comment.

Published on February 26, 2014 at 1:17 am

Contact Justin: jmatting@syr.edu | @jmattingly306