Veteran Leaders
Walt Collins is a leader in his community and an advocate for veterans everywhere. As a veteran himself, 11 years of active duty (two of which were spent in the Cold War and three years in Vietnam), he knows first hand the value of veterans and the contribution that they make to the community; and takes a no nonsense approach when it comes to veteran concerns and benefits.
Walt has held titles of President of the Minority Trucking and Contracting Association and is currently managing a family business of 40 years, Midtown Trucking LLC. Walt is a champion of minority employment empowerment, making sure opportunities in the construction industry are available to minorities. In the past, he has served veterans as co-director of a local counseling center in Oklahoma. Walt Collins takes pride in being aware of veterans in his local community and believes in “one total community for vets.” He loves to see hard-working people acknowledged and recognized for their hard-work, efforts, and professionalism.
Walt believes in the Victory Garden program and the impact it will have on veterans. As one of the think-tanks for the program, aside from training and job skills, Walt sees the program providing a therapeutic outlet that aides in the rehabilitation of its participants. According to Walt, “it’s all about rehabilitation.” At heart, Walt Collins is a family man who enjoys trucking, horses, dogs, and believes in ‘speaking the truth’ and ‘treating people fairly.’ His words of encouragement and best advice is “Don’t look back!”
Mr. Jesse Hill served the United States Army from April, 1968 to March 1970. After completing basic combat support training at Fort Ord, California in 1968. Mr. Hill completed Intermediate Speed Radio Operators School and mastered skills including Morse Code. Mr. Hill Served as Radio Telephone Operator while in Vietnam between November, 1968 and March 1970, stationed at Chu Lai at LZ Gator. HHC 5th/46th bt. 198th Light Infantry brde., Americal Division. Mr. Hill then served Phu Bhai at LZ Sally near the DMZ, HHC 1st/501st brde. 101st Airborne Division and returned home through Fort Lewis, Washington and ETS, Friday the 13th of March, 1970. Thanks to support and fellowship, Mr. Hill has been sober since April 20th, 2003 and is committed to helping others in his community achieve and maintain sobriety. Mr. Hill is a resident of Cleveland Heights, OH and serves as General Service Representative (GSR) for his Home Group, Addison High Rise in Cleveland and is also District Committee Member (DCM) for District 33, Area 54 Northeast Ohio. Hill’s current roles, activities and affiliations include: • 30th Annual Men’s Conference, 2017: “Gateway to the 4th Dimension,” in St. Louis, MO
• Chairman of Cleveland North Coast Multi-District: 2015 and 2016
• Attends Ohio State Conventions • Area 54 Assemblies.
• Current DCM for District #33 in Area 54 of NE Ohio
• Service Sponsor • Program Sponsor
• Lifetime Member Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
• Past Member, Post 125, Maple Heights. Hill looks forward to working with the Veterans and their families at Rid-All to help them navigate their way into a more productive society and to see them reap the benefits of their service.
“You can’t start any type of programs for veterans until they get clean… Its gonna determine how successful they can become”
Rev. Lovel Henderson talks about The Connecting Point and the benefits of the partnership with RID-ALL. His contributions to the veteran community has deep roots. A Vietnam Army Veteran, his stories and lessons stretch deep into the neighborhood in which is service models have been making strides for our community of homeless veterans.
Click on image to watch Rev. Henderson speak with CW 43 Focus News Anchor Harry Boomer.
Charlie Heyman, also known to many as Maverick, is a U.S Air Force Desert Storm veteran volunteer. He provides IT support and technical farm activities that can be handled during lunch hour from his current position as Commercial Loan Specialist for the Unites States Department of Agriculture in Hagerstown, Maryland. As a community activist and dedicated veteran supporter, his years of service to the public and community engagement programs has provided a wealth if direction for the programs that currently run at the farm today. HIs vision and dedication to “Putting people first in the profit equation” has been his battle cry for community and business leaders. “You fix the people first, then you fix their homes and then you fix the parks and roads. That’s when you look for sustainable profit in your neighborhood!” Seen here at an event for the community leaders with a legend of the Activist community, Jesse Jackson. His Message, “Go get’em Mav!”
Classes at the farm with veterans and veteran staff members…
For those that serve or who have served, crises can be heightened by their experiences during military service. If you’re a veteran or service member and in crisis, these resources can help.
