Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army the day after his 18th birthday in 1969, determined to serve his country during the Vietnam War. After serving honorably for three years, he was discharged in 1972 and returned to civilian life.
Over the years, he struggled with alcoholism, but with perseverance and determination, he eventually achieved sobriety and has proudly remained sober for 15 years.
Stability, however, was still difficult to maintain. Jack rented a two-bedroom home with a roommate, but when his roommate left without notice, he was left with an overwhelming utility bill. His landlord relocated him to a smaller property, but the rent soon became unaffordable. Soon, Jack found himself moving from hotel to hotel, trying to stay afloat. Before long, his savings were gone, and the cycle of instability seemed impossible to break.
Jack tried two different shelter programs, but neither fit his needs. Then, he was connected with Home at Last, The Kitchen, Inc.’s case management program for Veterans. The Home at Last team worked with him to secure his permanent housing: safe, stable, and truly his. With their support, he was also able to reconnect with an old boss, who offered him work once again.
“I’ve been so happy with Home at Last, I thank God for them coming into my life… They did things for me no one else would.”
Today, Jack has a steady home, a job he enjoys, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing he has a community behind him. He is even working to save up for a truck to make his commute to work easier and to allow him independence and freedom to travel where he needs to go. His story is a testament to the fact that with the right support, hope and stability are always possible.
The name in this story has been changed out of compassion for the participant.
