We met this Army Veteran 3 years ago when he phoned for rental assistance. As it was October, Lisa Loren, our Veteran Case Manager, invited him and his family to join a small group of Veterans attending the Naples Christmas Parade. It was quickly apparent how close this family of 3 are while they thoroughly enjoyed the festivities. We also included his teenage daughter in our holiday LaPlaya Christmas Angel Tree for families with children. That 2023 Christmas season was a very special time for the Vazquez family.
Unfortunately, the next time we spoke, Gammy lost his job for a construction company due to complications from his “invisible wounds of war”. As a member of the 82nd Airborne, Gammy had some serious combat memories and struggles to overcome. Because he would be needing longer-term assistance, he was referred to the Coordinated Entry for Veterans managed by the Southwest Coalition to End Homelessness. Although his wife works full-time, she does not make enough to support the family. Sadly, he did not qualify for the Social Services/Veterans & Families (SSVF) grant which does require an income as the Veterans typically pay 50% of the housing cost.
Although Gammy continued his job search, he was caught in a downward spiral, unable to obtain employment or housing. Then health issues made a difficult situation, almost unbearable. Both the physical and mental struggles made shelter impossible to maintain.
Fortunately, with people who believed in him and continued to encourage him, Gammy kept fighting to stabilize his life. He applied for VA Disability, keeping all his appointments and following up with his paperwork requirements.
Finally on January 6, we received a call from the Naples VA PACT team that Gammy had been awarded 70% VA Disability. He could finally afford to pay rent on an ongoing basis. He had not received his first check nor any backpay and had just been released from a hospital procedure. “Could WHC please help with security deposits and with helping Gammy find housing?” Absolutely!!
Additionally, Gammy had just been released from a serious procedure and spent a week in the hospital. The weather was predicted to be unseasonably cold for Naples; therefore, on Jan 20th, Warrior Homes used the Department of Children & Family Services (DCF) Challenge grant, made possible by the Southwest Coalition to End Homelessness, for Rapid Rehousing to cover a 2-week stay in a local hotel. We reserved a room with a kitchenette to provide comfort while awaiting a permanent housing solution.
Through ongoing relationship building with other agencies in Collier County, WHC has friends to call whenever a Veteran is not a good fit for our Warrior Homes housing units. While Gammy appreciated our program, he knew all along that our WHC shared housing would not be an appropriate fit. We phoned Elizabeth Radi at Housing Education & Lending Program (H.E.L.P). to ask their team if they could assist. Within a week, I received an update. Things looked promising that Gammy qualified for a small RV from the FEMA inventory through Collier Disaster Alliance, another agency that collaborates with WHC to assist Veterans. Elizabeth walked Gammy through the process.
To receive the 26’ RV trailer, Gammy had to secure a long-term lot lease which he was able to do on Feb 6th. On Feb 10th, WHC provided his lot rent for March and April to stabilize him until his VA Disability checks could arrive. These funds were provided by one of our local foundations grants for housing stability. On Feb 11th, we took pots, pans, dishes, and linens and received a wonderful tour from the proud Veteran! Lastly on the 13th of February, Gammy was able to stock up on fresh foods and staple items from the Venture Cares Mobile Food Pantry.
It was indeed a long journey, and we are so happy to have been a part of this Veteran’s journey home!
