06/29/2024
Dear Friends,
Our unsheltered friends are never far from my mind and I am sure everyone who supported us in our missions are still concerned about our unsheltered friends as well. This simple website has allowed us to connect with so many people in a way that literally saved countless American lives, including veterans. The posts, pictures, videos, stories, and general information shared here was always intended to assist those that needed help the most - our unsheltered friends. It was my full intention to maximize our resources to help the most people. What do you think is the biggest need in Chattanooga right now for our unsheltered friends, especially veterans?
Sometimes the most obvious solution is the most difficult to achieve. There was never an intent to begin any political engagements with the City of Chattanooga, except for the problem to be made public and then resolved by those in government wholly or partially responsible and employed to do so. The multitude of service organizations from the government and non-government agencies is quite large and capable of serving our unsheltered citizens, however there seemed to be a misalignment with funding, legal authority, zoning, and what some would call dirty or corrupt politics.
Generally, we had no issues with 95% of whom we dealt with an except for a few administrative-appointed cabinet members of Mayor Tim Kelly. It is my personal suspicion that the directives for action or inaction came from Tim Kelly and the personal (public) agendas of a few people. In politics blame shifting and divisions are created to elude the public from the truth. When I investigated public statements or articles, I often found an incongruent reality compared to published media. This began a journey that discovered so much truth it could not be ignored. Sadly, the result was increased longsuffering, horrific abuses, and even losses of life due to the harsh conditions created by this administration.
Politics puts people last and ineffective agendas propagandized first. This was the unfortunate reality in Chattanooga with the Kelly administration. City Council and so many others have stepped up to fill the void and really get some great things going. I once called out the Mayor in a news article to “Lead, follow, or get out of the way”. This also applies to me. With the problem front and center on the main “www.chattanooga.gov” website, my job was complete. It takes a lot of time and careful research to implement plans. I took a sabbatical to recover from personal attacks, hardship, and what is termed “compassion fatigue.” I cared so much I had nothing left to give. To continue growing in the past year-plus, I attended medical classes and an MBA course in the healthcare management program to better serve our citizens.
Behind the scenes we have been working with partner organizations and individuals to build permanent housing for unsheltered veterans. We have made more meaningful progress in every area outside of Chattanooga that it only confirms my suspicion; dirty politics were at play. Two other counties near Chattanooga have been working to build 4 tiny homes, a group home, and an additional 6 to 8 apartment units for veterans with our help. Additionally, one of our team members is now employed in a service roll in which any veteran can go to a home in Chattanooga on an emergency basis. Reach out if you know of a veteran in Chattanooga needs help.
From here I do not want to see politicians keep people homeless so they can get federal dollars based on numbers of homeless people. I do not want to see Mayor Tim Kelly use homeless veterans as a political pawn in which 50 veteran sleep outside on Chattanooga sidewalks every night so he can get federal money or grandstand on their backs.. Suspiciously the proposal for the Freedom Homestead proposes a $25 million dollar price tag and is proposed so far out that it is only after the election the “groundbreaking” will occur, yet no grounds have been secured. There has not been a mention of the project status since November, 2023 to my knowledge. Crickets… it seems like another political play. I hope and trust the non-profit can get to work asap. What is different is that Mayor Tim Kelly is even willing to let veterans suffer and die in Chattanooga for a political gain and financial gain. Sadly, Mayor Tim Kelly was too busy to attend Captain Larry Taylor’s funeral on February 7th, 2024.
We are building teams to go and rescue veterans in Chattanooga to bring them out of the city to much safer locations without the politics and empty promises. I have learned to not post details on here as some of my team was persecuted by the Kelly Administration and we were being spied on. For the most part, just know we are working hard behind the scenes to do our best for our veterans! God is with us!
Without saying too much we are creating a team of unstoppable loving community members who are successful, have resources, experience, and most of all - care and are capable of getting the job done. We will most likely always have unsheltered veterans, but we will ensure they always have a home in the county they fought for, so help me God! God bless all of you and if you want to help, reach out! Thank you all and I love all of you!
Joshua David Kapellusch
