VCP IS OUR FAMILY
I was 21 in 1957 and had a good commercial job. But then the US had job recession, and no one wanted to hire anyone.
I went into the Air Force and and served during the Cold War time. I served at the base military air transport service and they assigned me to the motor pool to distribute and manage aircraft parts to hangars and tarmacs.
I then served at corporate headquarters at an Air Force base in Texas with 50 Air Force majors. That was rewarding work. I was then transported to Greenville, South Carolina to develop and expand the Air Force base in the areas of military air transport service. Unfortunately, I suffered a head injury and found it necessary to go through the medical discharge method.
I was discharged in 1962, before later tours of Vietnam, and tried to re-enter civilian life. I had a good 1957 Chevrolet and a part time job and was preparing to be married. My wife passed away with a fetus after about five months from this time due to an accident.
I never did remarry. I got a job with the post office and that's where my head injury from my on-duty Air Force accident showed up. And so, I was on disability as a civil service man. I still made contributions to society and did a lot of charity work for the church.
I came out to Veterans Community Project in 2018 as they were giving out bus passes for veterans. My house had been firebombed and I had nowhere to live. At the time, I had no idea VCP had tiny homes campus, but Jamie Dorman signed me up and I was one of the first residents with only 13 houses on the Kansas City campus at the time.
I had rescued this little dog for some companionship (I have no family and everything that I had owned was burned down). The VCP team welcomed both me and my little dog to their community and fantastic programs.
VPC is an amazing organization, a very caring platform for the homeless Veterans. They offer help in financial, educational and career areas. Everybody here is friendly; they genuinely care for American veterans independent of the military branch of service.
I have personally observed how VCP impacts people’s lives. Whether the Vet needs a little hand up or a case manager can assist them in education, affiliate organizations, health and wellness or a temporary place to live, VCP case managers truly care for people and want them to succeed.
The entire nation needs VCP campuses. People like me who are in a shell need love and trust, and this can only happen if you are ‘off the street’. VCP gives Veterans a path to a bright future. Veterans Community Project has changed my life and has been a real blessing.
I want to express the sincerest appreciation to my case workers Jamie and Michelle for being so open and being so close to me. I consider them as the first line in my family.
