How Community Connection Helped a Veteran Move Forward
When Terry first connected with Services for the UnderServed (S:US) through outreach at a local New York City veteran shelter, he wasn’t looking for help. For him, accepting support didn’t come naturally. As he explained, “Most military service members are hardheaded because we don’t want to accept help, because we’re not used to getting it.” Over time, S:US became a lifeline by offering stability, dignity, and a renewed sense of community.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Terry’s military journey spanned decades. He served in the U.S. Army beginning in 2004, eventually joining the National Guard. His years of service brought purpose and pride, but also hardships, including trauma, that followed him home. Reflecting on what it means to serve, he shared: “When you sign your name on a dotted line and you join the military, you more or less sign your rights away… But with that comes a lot of perks, because you feel good about yourself, because you’re serving your country.”
Transitioning to civilian life proved challenging. After losing his job and his home, Terry found himself couch-surfing before entering a homeless shelter for veterans. Asking for help felt foreign to him. “We’re used to being self-reliant, and now you’re depending on other people… But just because you lost everything, that doesn’t mean you lost support.”
At the shelter, he met S:US staff who visited weekly. It was the first step toward rebuilding his life. “There’s not one person I’ve interacted with at S:US that doesn’t want to help you… Everyone’s trying to help because they want you to get back on your feet.”
With assistance from the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) team, including help with housing, employment resources, and essentials, Terry secured an apartment. “I actually got my own apartment. It’s my first apartment… I’m going to make it work.” The support he received mattered deeply to Terry, but so did the community connection and the care he felt from staff. “It’s more personal than anything else I’ve seen… Everybody legitimately really cares.”
Terry shares his story in hopes of encouraging other veterans who feel hesitant to seek support. “I would tell them to put their pride in their pocket… You can always replace material things; you can’t replace human connection.” He also spreads the word by sharing S:US information to other veterans who might need help. As he put it, “Whoever made the name for the organization [Services for the UnderServed]—it fits. Because we’re not just handed something; we make it happen together.”
With a safe home and renewed stability, Terry is moving forward and currently in the process of securing full-time employment. He is grateful for the small acts of kindness that helped him get here. “It takes two words to say thank you. It takes two seconds to smile… Simple things, but they make a big deal.”
This success story was made possible through a generous grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation, with funding from Craig Newmark Philanthropies, which enables S:US to expand our support services for service members, veterans, their families, and caregivers across New York City and Long Island. We’re proud to be a member of the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s #GotYour6 Network and thank them for helping us continue this critical work.
