Supporting a Veteran on their Path Forward
Veterans Day is a time to honor and recognize the bravery, sacrifices, and resilience of those who have served our country. At S:US, we are committed to not only honoring veterans but also ensuring they have the support and resources they need to thrive beyond their service. Many veterans face unique challenges when they return to civilian life, including stable housing, employment, and accessible healthcare. Highlighting the stories of the veterans we serve reminds us of their extraordinary strength and the critical role S:US has in providing a foundation for veterans as they rebuild their lives.
This Veterans Day, we are proud to recognize Y’shua, a veteran who exemplifies resilience and determination. His story demonstrates the impact of dedicated support and community care. Veteran Y’shua first sought S:US’ help in October 2021, during the height of the pandemic. He was unemployed since January 2020, and by the time he came to S:US, his unemployment benefits had been exhausted. Facing mounting rental arrears and bleak job prospects, Y’shua’s situation seemed increasingly difficult.
One of the significant challenges Y’shua faced was his decision not to take the COVID-19 vaccine due to his religious beliefs. This limited his job opportunities, as many employers required vaccination at the time. Still, we respected his stance and were committed to supporting him through these obstacles.
At that time, Y’shua was living in a single room and had considered pursuing a career in security. However, the vaccination requirement even extended to many security companies. The only work he could secure was in delivery services, which he performed using his electronic unibike. Unfortunately, when his bike broke down and required costly repairs, Y’shua found himself without transportation or work once again. Despite these setbacks, he remained determined to move forward.
Through our Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, Y’shua was deemed eligible for housing assistance and was able to secure financial support to repair his bike. Although this allowed him to resume work, making ends meet remained a constant challenge.
Y’shua was at imminent risk of homelessness and enrolled in the SSVF program to receive assistance with securing permanent housing and employment. He was enrolled in 2018 and again in 2021 due to ongoing issues with rental arrears. Our SSVF program was able to assist Y’shua with moving into permanent housing, which he resides in currently. He has also received COVID-19 relief assistance towards rental payment after losing his employment. During his enrollment, Y’shua received financial assistance with rental payments and transportation. He is currently making partial rental payments as he is now enrolled in the subsidy program. With the assistance of S:US, Y’shua continues to remain stably housed and will continue working towards establishing long-term housing stability.
Fast forward to 2023, and Y’shua’s situation had improved significantly. He found part-time work as a driver for a freight and cargo company, but we knew he had the potential for more. At this point, he was exploring various career options, including returning to the security field, where he had previous experience. His security license had expired, but with COVID restrictions easing, S:US covered the cost of his license renewal and worked to find him a position that matched his skills and paid above average wage.
We referred Y’shua to a security company known for hiring veterans, where he interviewed for a supervisor role. His articulate communications skills, exceptional customer service, and military background made him an ideal candidate. Y’shua was hired and now earns $35 an hour as a supervisor, a position that not only provides financial stability but also allows him to leverage his strengths.
In addition to his career success, Y’shua’s journey towards stable housing through our SSVF program has been equally remarkable. He is deeply grateful for the support he has received from the S:US team and credits the Veterans Services team for their assistance in helping him rebuild his life. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of persistence, community support, and veterans-focused programs.