The holiday season often brings to mind warm gatherings by the fireplace, surrounded by family and delicious food on the table. But for many Veterans, the cozy scenes of togetherness are replaced by the tough reality of not having a home.
Imagine the weight of not having a place to call home during the holidays, missing the refuge where laughter and memories are made. This is not uncommon, especially in the Veteran community, where more than 33,000 Veterans experienced some form of homelessness in the U.S. just last year.
As we enjoy the holiday spirit, let us remember and extend our support to the Veterans and their families who may be facing challenges, especially during this season.
Meet Joseph from Chico
One Veteran who found himself homeless earlier this year was Joseph, a Marine who turned to Nation’s Finest for help. Joseph served our country bravely and loved his time in the service. In an attempt to find some stability in life once he transitioned out, he and his partner Ashley moved to Chico, California in March. With a stepdaughter who was developmentally delayed, having that stability was critical for Joseph, and he worried deeply.
When their living situation deteriorated in the Fall, Joseph and his family found themselves homeless and on the streets of Chico in late October. With the holiday season approaching, Joseph’s family had nowhere to turn. “Life was pretty sticky at the time,” Ashley recalled.
Shortly after losing their housing, however, they heard about Nation’s Finest. For over 50 years, we’ve supported America’s military Veterans and their families with a comprehensive approach to housing, health, and employment. Our team provides step by step case management throughout the process to help with the individual needs of each Veteran and their family. For Joseph, that was finding a home in time for his stepdaughter to celebrate the holidays.
Housing Assistance for Veterans in Need
Emphasis on ‘home.’ With permanent and transitional housing solutions, plus much more, Nation’s Finest strives to provide Veterans in need with access to more than simply somewhere with a roof and four walls. We strive to help families like Joseph’s find a place to experience that feeling of togetherness. A place to lay down roots and open presents on the couch without worrying about where they’ll be next.
A Nation’s Finest Case Manager in the Chico area, Shelly Forbes and our team helped the family find a landlord with tenant incentives for Veterans. After finding a home that fit the needs of Joseph’s family, Forbes utilized the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program to pay for their rent and security deposit. In a letter they wrote to Shelly and our team, the family explained that “at our lowest point, Nation’s Finest gave our family a huge step up the ladder and more. Everyone in all departments, corporate, all worked to get us in a home so quickly this Holiday Season.” To help the family’s move be as logistically and financially smooth as possible, Forbes also connected the family to essential housing supplies and bedding.
All together, it took less than 90 days for Joseph and his family to get off the streets into stable housing. From October to December, Joseph, Forbes, and the Nation’s Finest-Chico team worked tirelessly to find a home for the holidays, where the family’s basic needs were met and they could settle in.
Gift the Gift of Hope for the Holidays
In this season of giving, the Nation’s Finest team remains steadfast in our mission to help Veterans and their families. Please consider making a tax-deductible, year-end donation that will help us continue to provide essential services and resources to those who need them. Your generosity is not just a gift; it’s a lifeline of hope for our nation’s heroes and their loved ones!
