New group aims to serve veterans, source of issues

When the Yellow Ribbon Fades

For a young couple in Clarksburg, a recently-established veterans advocacy organization is providing them hope.

Konstantin Lukashevich, a 27-year-old veteran, and his wife, Melissa, 33, dropped everything in April to care for Konstantin's ill mother living in Washington state. They left their jobs and sold much of their belongings - kitchen appliances, TVs, furniture and clothes - to make the trip.

Returning home, the Lukashevichs couldn't find work, and they continue to search for jobs while struggling to afford basic needs.

When the Yellow Ribbon Fades: Missouri's Joining Forces, a new nonprofit organization based in Jefferson City, is collaborating with other organizations to help pay the Lukashvichs' expenses throughout June.

With a holistic approach to improving the lives of veterans, the organization aids in providing temporary financial assistance, employment services, application for benefits, mental health services and more through partnerships with veteran service organizations, and state and federal agencies, including the Veterans Administration.

Pat Kerr, a longtime veteran advocate, serves as the organization's volunteer executive director. She meets with those requesting help and authorizes their legitimacy. The organization not only helps take care of immediate needs but also finds the source of the problem to ensure long-term success.

The nonprofit has partnered with the VFW in Jefferson City.

Phil Kalaf, commander at the VFW, said the group frequently receives requests for gas money or help paying bills. The VFW has no way of validating the requests, but When the Yellow Ribbon Fades has expertise in that arena, he said.

Veterans' situations range from needing a ride to work to keeping the utilities on to finding a place to live, he said.

"They are hurting in a completely different way," Kalaf said. "They don't need a hand out - they need a hand up."

After reading about the Lukashevichs' story on a Facebook community page, Kerr started helping the couple apply for employment matching their skill sets. The couple's mission is to give their six children the best lives possible.

Melissa, a former correctional officer, is in her fourth year pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology. She dreams of working in the mental health field or as a victim advocate.

Konstantin served four years in the Marines with a tour in Iraq. He has experience in the factory setting, working with CNC machinery and manual lathes for five years. The veteran enjoys working with his hands. He said his military service ingrained in him the meaning of work ethic.

"My military experience has taught me to try to do the best that I can," he said. "I don't sit there and goof off, I don't just do the minimum. I do the maximum every day that I can. I'm always working to better myself - that's what the military has done for me."

After getting back on his feet, Konstantin said he plans to volunteer with When the Yellow Ribbon Fades. Veterans make up much of the organization's volunteer base, and it's based on the idea of "paying it forward," Kerr said.

Chris Wood, senior vice president with Jefferson Bank and manager in the mortgage loan department, served in the Army in the early 2000s, spending a tour in Afghanistan. He is now involved with When the Yellow Ribbon Fades and said working with the organization has allowed him to re-connect with others who've served in the military.

"I missed the camaraderie with fellow veterans," Wood said.

Kerr said she plans to train volunteers on processing intake forms and performing evaluations. Currently, she, her husband John and a veteran's wife can perform those tasks.

When the Yellow Ribbon Fades will hold a garage sale June 25 at 322 Boonville Road to raise funds for the organization. All of the proceeds will go directly to veterans.