VA Homeless Programs

“I nominate Eric Oleson, our Assistant Chief, Social Work Services (Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System) for helping us to get the New Orleans VSAW up and running and for his continued support for the success of the program.”

— Greg Parker,
Vocational Development Specialist and member of the Veterans School at Work (VSAW) team

Eric Oleson

Homeless Program Manager, Assistant Chief, SWS

Workplace & VISN

Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System
VISN 16

How long have you been employed by the VA?

9 years

Why did you become a social worker? What do you like about working in homeless programs?

I became a social worker for the sense of purpose and to engage, connect, and collaborate with individuals and organizations to create change. It is extremely rewarding to work with homeless Veterans. The process meets all my aspirations as a social worker: working with individuals within a team and collaborating with organizations and other community partners to move an individual from homelessness to permanent housing.

What do you do for fun? Favorite Quote? What else would you like to share about yourself?

I like to read, exercise, meditate, spend time with family, and hike in North Carolina. It has been a great privilege to work at the VA for the last 9 years.
“The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and sense in which he has attained liberation from the self” — Albert Einstein