A Veteran’s Path to Whole Health
When Michael, a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran, returned home from his second tour in Iraq, he had no job and no support system. What he did have was anxiety, depression, and—though he didn’t know it yet—Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His symptoms of PTSD made everything else in his life even more difficult, and soon he found himself at risk of homelessness.
Thanks to his own determination and the support of Services for the UnderServed (S:US)’s Veterans Services, Michael is now in a much better place and looking forward to the future. Through our programs, he secured affordable permanent housing, connected with mental health care, and began rebuilding his life. He is also working with a financial advisor and our employment team to find a new job. Michael hopes to continue protecting others through a career in armed security or by studying Homeland Security.
At S:US, we know that supporting veterans’ whole health means meeting their needs beyond one single service. Every aspect of wellbeing matters, that’s why our work spans across housing, peer support, employment, and mental health care. Veterans like Michael remind us that no one should face the challenges of PTSD or any effects of trauma alone. We’re proud to stand alongside him and other veterans as they build stable, healthier futures.
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.
