VA Homeless Programs

“Kris is an example of ICARE! Veterans often disclose he has integrity, and they trust him. Several Veterans who previously remained homeless are willing to come off the streets because they felt comfortable and trusted Kris. Kris shows his commitment to help others. He assists Veterans with locating housing and meets with the landlords in all areas of Central Florida. He will advocate for Veterans needs and as a fellow Veteran he has keen awareness and ability to help navigate them through the housing process. Kris shows respect to our Veterans. Once a Veteran had soiled himself and he was embarrassed, Kris assured the Veteran that everything would be ok. He ensured the Veteran was treated with dignity and respect and assisted him with the access to a shower, providing change of clothes and they continued housing search! Kris is an example of excellence. After having served in the Army as military police, he emulates commitment and care with our most vulnerable population of Veterans, and they have repeatedly voiced to me how they appreciate all that he does. I coordinate with several shelters in Central Florida and all of the community shelters, staff and Veterans that interact with Kris voice appreciation and admiration of him, of his housing leads and care shown to the Veterans. His willingness to make the impossible possible!”

— Gillian Zagers, LCSW, COR, Contract Residential Liaison

Kristopher Vite

VAMC Social Worker

Workplace & VISN

Orlando VAMC, VISN 8

How long have you been employed by the VA?

6 years

What was your Branch of Service?

Army, Military Police (Retired)

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

In 2007, when I was 19 my mother was diagnosed with a severe form of MS at the young age of 46. Doctors only gave her 3 months to live. I had just begun my first collegiate football season on a full scholarship. I decided to quit college and football to come home and spend time with her while she was in a nursing home. I did not know there was a social worker at this nursing home (even though she knew I was there almost every day). Being 19 years old, the baby child, and grieving due to this quick diagnosis, I could have really used a social worker to talk with.

Fast forward to 2009, when I joined the Army. I was a Military Police Officer and ultimately came home injured from my deployment in Iraq. I met a social worker during my medical retirement process from the Army who explained to me what she did. I then realized I wanted to continue serving my county just in a different way. I vowed to myself to NEVER be the social worker that was in the nursing home that my mother was in. My beautiful mother lived for about 4 years after the diagnosis in 2007 and passed away at the young age of 50.

I chose the VA because there was not a more fitting population to serve other than Veterans and their families. I chose the homeless program because I do believe in ending homelessness for everyone, not just Veterans but think to myself these Veterans have served our country to protect us, they should not be ending up on the streets of our communities.

The time is always right for social work and social workers. There is so much work that needs to be continued in this field. With the COVID-19 pandemic impact on our vulnerable homeless Veterans, I believe there is no better time to continue doing EVERYTHING we can. This year’s theme resonates with me because I have personally seen our homeless program, despite the impact of COVID-19 on our operations, not stop or slow down assisting Veterans. There are Veterans constantly coming to the Orlando area who are struggling with the lack of affordable housing and I believe now is the time to start honoring and recognizing these Veterans by addressing the issues that are continuing to keep our Veterans homeless.

In 2015, I started my VA career as an intern within the homeless program. In 2016, Orlando met the USICH criteria for effectively ending chronic homelessness but there still is work to be done for our Veterans. The time is now, where locally, we have more resources than usual to assist our Veterans to get housed and remain housed. This is possible with the CARES/ARP funding, landlord incentives through the housing authority and donations to our programs.

What else would you like to share about yourself?

I have a service dog named Fowler who comes to work with me at the VA.

“Never give up on someone with a mental illness. When “I” is replaced by “We”, illness becomes wellness.” — Shannon L. Alder