Veterans Who Made It

My name is Bill W. I was born and raised in Sacramento, California. When I was 18 I decided to join the Army. Throughout my 10 years in the Army, I rose to the rank of Corporal. When in the Army I did a lot of binge drinking. Once I got out of the service I continued to drink, increasing the amount over time. By the time I was 50 years old I was drinking every day around the clock. Because I was a mean drunk my family distanced themselves from me. Drinking also led to my divorce and losing out on many years of my son's life.

In November 2018 I was taken to the VA Emergency Room by ambulance and was sent to AHVets Addiction Recovery to detox from alcohol. After detox, I was in an intensive residential treatment program spending 4 months and then at AHVets Transitional Living where I have been ever since.

I started volunteering for AHVets, doing the cooking and driving of Veterans to and from Mather VA. After about a year, I started working as a drug and alcohol counselor in training. I had found my calling and was able to pay forward to my fellow Veterans. In 2021 I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I spent a year going through chemo, radiation, and surgeries, with America's Homeless Veterans right with me the entire time providing housing for me and allowing me to heal. I'm extremely grateful to America's Homeless Veterans for all they have done for me.

My name is Tim. I joined the Air Force in 1984. I was with the 9th Civil Engineering Squadron building water and wastewater treatment facilities. I was in the Air Force for 3 years. After my honorable discharge, I became addicted to meth. For the next 45 years, addiction became my way of life. When I worked, it was only to support my habit. My parents refused to allow me in their life since I was not only volatile, but I would steal anything I could. My wife divorced me due to my addiction.

In 2020 I was beaten by members of a notorious gang who shot me in the face and left me for dead. Someone called the police and one of the officers who responded asked me if I was a Veteran. Thankfully I am, so I was taken to the VA ER where I was treated and recovered. To battle my addiction to meth I was sent to AHVets Detox. After my stay at the detox house, I graduated from the residential treatment program where I spent 2 months receiving counseling for my addiction.

Along came America's Homeless Veterans with housing, job training, and a job. I've been clean and sober for 2 years now. During that time I've repaired my relationship with my family, friends, and wife due to my commitment to my sobriety. I am privileged to be able to give back and help other Veterans the way I was helped. Because of AHVets, I have become an asset — no longer a liability.

My name is Bryant. When I was 19 years old, I joined the Army. I served a total of 3 years; 15 months of which I was deployed to Iraq. After my deployment I began to drink alcohol excessively. In 2009 I was honorably discharged from the military, and that is when my troubles with addiction began.

Due to my experiences in Iraq and all I witnessed in combat, it led me to develop PTSD, anxiety and extreme depression. I soon turned to drugs and alcohol as a way of self-medicating. I spent the next decade battling addiction and was in and out of rehab programs. I felt completely lost, had nothing to my name, and on the verge of losing my family for good.

Thankfully, the VA sent me to AHVets. I spent 2 months in the residential treatment program where I received counseling and skills that helped me deal with my PTSD, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. After treatment, America's Homeless Veterans provided me with sober transitional housing. The amazing and caring staff at AHVets motivated me to pursue a career in counseling so I can help others the way they helped me. I don't know where I would be today without America's Homeless Veterans — and I'm proud to be part of the AHV family.

Former Avionics Technician Airman, Aviation Warfare Jonathan M., U.S. Navy 2009–2013. After I separated from the Navy, my mental health drastically declined due to my unhealthy coping habits with alcohol. I sought help from the VA hospital and was sent to a program which started at AHVets Detox.

Following my stay at AHVets Detox, I continued to go to in-patient residential treatment. Originally, I was only going to commit to 30 days, but after getting the much-needed help, I stayed for a full 90 days.

Knowing I wouldn't stay sober on my own, I had nowhere safe to go after treatment. It was at that time Randy, Diane and their team at America's Homeless Veterans welcomed me in as more than just a client. They helped me with groceries, hygiene products, a safe place to live in a Sober Living Environment (SLE) and even helped me in getting a job. Without their relentless hunger to help Veterans like myself break the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse, I wouldn't be sober today.

My name is Jacob and I served in the United States Marine Corps from 2013 to 2017. I received an honorable discharge, and my final rank was Corporal. Not long after I reached my main duty station, I got married to the love of my life and high school sweetheart. Unfortunately, my idea of celebrating involved alcohol. When I started drinking, everything around me started to fall apart.

My proficiency and conduct in my military career were failing, my physical health was in rapid decline, and my marriage came to an end. I lost my job due to my drinking. I ended up in the suicide ward several times for overdose attempts. Then shortly after that I went to jail because of my drinking. I realized this was my rock bottom, and it was time to take responsibility for my actions.

After I got out of jail, I eventually worked up the courage to reach out for help. My journey first started at AHVets Addiction Recovery where I met a woman named Diane. Her values seemed so powerful — as if God himself sent down one of his angels to help save me. I have been on the path of sobriety since then. I now have a beautiful baby girl and the funds to support her. AHVets not only helped me obtain a successful life but empowered me to help influence other Veterans rediscover the values they once had.