I served four years in the United States Marine Corps that included a combat tour overseas and direct involvement in the Battle of Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004-2005. In 2007, I transitioned from the Marine Corps with an honorable discharge and the aforementioned PTSD. These mental health problems brought upon three horribly failed marriages and two suicide attempts.

Over the years, I struggled with sustainability in employment, often living paycheck to paycheck. I often barely made enough money to keep the lights on, keep from being evicted or even provide food for my kids. In 2023, everything took a turn for the worse when I lost another job and was at risk for homelessness.

I’m not a quitter. I called a Veteran colleague who I vaguely knew worked with other homeless and struggling Veterans with United Way’s Mission United program. Her approach was different.

Because of the life-changing assistance Mission United provided me, I have been stable for a while now.

My mental health has improved by small fixes one day at a time. My physical health was even better than ever and has become a main priority. I made such progress that I jumped at the chance to help other Veterans and applied for the Mission United Veteran Care Coordinator role when it became available.

As a Mission United Veteran Care Coordinator, I assisted over 400 Veterans and Veteran families like me navigate a path to sustainability. Truth be told, a big part of my therapy and ongoing stability — as well as my hope — came from assisting these other Veterans.