Tim’s Story

from homeless to resident, Tim enjoys a successful rehabilitation and finds painting in his tiny home therapeutic…

I was 21 years old and really didn't have my mind on the service at the time, but out of nowhere in this dream, I was told to join the Navy. So, I called a recruiter and I told her exactly what had happened.

With the goal of filling the only slot as a Navy Journalist, I went to boot camp. But soon after, I was injured with a dislocated shoulder that later required surgery. Of course, this type of injury prevents a soldier from performing push-ups and participating in normal boot camp conditioning. I would not have the opportunity to graduate with my original boot camp group due to a rigorous rehab schedule.

The result? One of the higher ups - a commander - seemed to think that maybe I was trying to milk my injury to get out of the service. Consequently, I completed boot camp with this injury. My fellow servicemen took care of me and greatly assisted me.

After successfully completing boot camp, I attended a school out in Fort Meade, Maryland (NSA) to study journalism and broadcast media. The two-year courses were significantly condensed into three-month windows. Attendees represented Army, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard; but due to the rigorous schedule and condensed curricula, the attrition rate was pretty high. I was the only one from the Navy who completed courses. After graduation, I was stationed on the USS Saipan.

We did three med cruises during the time of 911 fighting the war on terror. Upon taking weapons onboard, we went out to sea for about nine months. After we returned for a few days in port, we went back out for another nine months. Through these operations and maneuvers, I definitely received the full Navy experience.

When I got out, there was no transition back to civilian life. It's just like…go figure it out. I applied for journalism roles to leverage my military experience but the open positions required a four-year bachelor's degree. Hiring managers really don’t understand the great training and hands-on experience one receives in the military. I finally found a temporary job as news director for a little AM radio station based out of Metropolis, Illinois and then from there, I experienced several hardships all at once.

I lost a significant other to drug overdose as well as the child she was carrying. My mother was diagnosed with early onset dementia and was dealing with that. These dynamics were on top of struggling to figure out what I was going to do, where I was going to live and how I was going to make a living. I just didn't have it all together.

I was floundering. I couldn't deal with things emotionally, physically and everything was very overwhelming, very sad. I grew up in a dysfunctional, abusive home, and unfortunately, I turned to drugs to try and sort out my problems. This resulted in me basically being lost and I wound up being homeless for the first time.

It’s bad, being homeless is bad. I struggled with homelessness and drug addiction for the next few years and got in trouble with the law. I even wound up serving some time for breaking the law. When I was released for serving time, I was still homeless.

But then miraculously, there was divine intervention. I started running into random people (angels?) that seemed to understand my particular situation. They would point me in the right direction and tell me what I needed to do. I wound up getting baptized and going through successful rehab. And I wound up living at the rehab center after I graduated and was on staff for one year.

But I still needed to properly transition into society. I didn’t know how to segue into a sustainable life with normal elements around me including a long lasting and rewarding career, a family or support group, a home and, you know, just happiness.

That’s when I found out about the Veterans Community Project and their tiny home village. One of the directors at the rehab stated I might be a good candidate. And so, I visited the VCP team, was formally interviewed and they accepted me as a resident.

While still struggling with some issues like my mom’s mental health, VCP provided an amazing experience and healthy journey. They provided a house, resources, counsel, community and encouragement. My caseworker, Kevin, was just awesome. He was with me every step of the way. And, you know, we tackled big issues. We developed a plan for my health, dental, mental, physical, financial…getting those issues taken care of and preparing for sustainable employment.

Being clean for two years and based on the kindness of VCP, I wanted to give that back. With their blessing and formal training, I became a certified peer support and I am gainfully employed working at a mental health agency nearby. I support others as they start their journey in recovery.

As you can tell from my personal experience, Veterans Community Project is simply amazing. Their case workers care about you when it feels like the world has abandoned you. I had absolutely nothing after my rehab, but the VCP team was very welcoming and sponsored me with a rent-free home until I could get healthy, organized and prepared for the next chapter of my life. From their resources to the counseling to the sense of community to meeting with fellow servicemen at 10am coffee hour, VCP invests in human lives. VCP is a life changer.