Are Homeless Veteran Programs Adequately Funded?
E88 - Heroes in Transition: Veteran Homelessness w/ Brad, Austin, & Carl (Homeless Veteran Programs)
This is an automatically generated transcript. Please note that complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Oh yeah, let's wait until we're done. Okay, I'll just keep it going then. All right, guys, this is Carl, this is Austin, this is Brad. Well, we're gonna talk today about some things that we think are happening in the world.
Yeah, but while we're doing that, we're gonna eat some pizza. So Brad's got an opinion about everything. How should we introduce it? You know, should we start with the problems before we get through the solutions. I think it's I think, uh, what is happening? How we how we perceive the world right now? Basically all of us been homeless veterans, were veterans, and we see that it's hard out there.
It's tough even for us veterans. It's tough, and it's harder for people who aren't veterans. Because like, we have resources available to us. We're able to get housing right now basically free of charge for up to two years because we're veterans.
There's a lot of people out there that don't have such opportunities, that aren't able to find any sort of help, and the only resource that they can have to keep themselves somewhat saying is chemical addictions. So that's the only kind of recreation that they can partake in, and it becomes. A primary goal of. Theirs, a necessity of their life, to continue feeding their.
Addiction substance abuse, because where do you go, where do you go when you're at your low? One of the things I noticed, you know, you know, before I became homeless, I definitely saw the horizon inflation, you know, and realized, you know, the way things are going, you know, eventually, I'm not going to be able to pay my gills, pay my rent, you know, even worked in a full time job. So I started meeting out with homeless people, you know, and just sort of trying to like prepare myself for that. I guess in some way, you know, I guess it sort of became it seemed like it was going to be inevitable, you know, that was unavoidable. So one thing that one observation I did take away from, you know, meeting homeless people and now, is that, besides the drug addictions, like, the one thing that they all have in common is that they had terrible relationships with their families.
Lots of neglect, abuse problems like that, you know, And I certainly that applies to me, I don't know how you guys feel about the health. Yeah, it seems like maybe one of the big problems in America right now is that people don't have good relationships with their families. So you're saying that, like the degradation of the structure of America's founding, which is familial growth, is in largely largely contributing to the homeless and substance addiction epidemic that we're facing. Definitely.
Yeah, I felt misunderstood and I thought I was the only one looking out my blinds. Four times an hour perimeter checks around the building. I literally thought I was the only one. So I felt misunderstood and then which created more isolation.
So I think that the families who people who aren't veterans, they are possibly doing something similar where they don't they just don't feel understood, whether it's like being told to get a job or and then the job that they really don't like. And yeah, just miss feeling like you're misunderstood. Yeah, and all the social media, because we're talking today about social media. How I influence is the way we think, especially with rapid short form video content, you just keep swiping and like you don't know if what's real and what's not and freedom of speech is being challenged right now, and so we're not used to that.
I think the side of. Coming up right now, they're not used to freedom of speech and what it means to fight for it. Well, why it's important, you know, It's like a lot of people have you see this, particularly in universities where they have a really bad attitude towards you know, the fundamental principles that made America one of the greatest nations on earth, you know, and the they regard freedom of speech you know, as something written by. Old people you.
Know, who don't know and that somehow the world has changed and because technology has changed, you know, the rules need to be different, you know. But I don't think that's true. You know, the printing press was still relatively new when the when the Constitution was written, and it led to mass literacy and everybody being able to read. So wanting to suppress you know, platforms you know, or people who have ideas on those platforms you know that are controversial, for example, you know that run against the grain of what most people believe, you.
Know, they there It's as much as. The social media you know, has benefited people, you know, and allow people to speak, you know, and communicate and read and hear other perspectives. You know, it's also become weaponized, you know, in order to basically cover people's eyes, ears, and mouths so they cannot communicate. And if you cannot communicate when there's a problem, then that leads to disaster.
You know. The principle of free speech, you know, exists to protect truth tellers, you know, and I think there's a really awful attitude and universities where they think that freedom of speech is there to protect bigots. You know, that's a belief that really hasn't been challenged well enough. And a lot of people they don't support freedom of speech.
They think they do, but they also want to suppress your ability to say things that are offensive to them. And one of the biggest things that one of the biggest advantages you get from being offended is if you sit with it, it challenges your reasoning. And when you challenge, when your reasoning is challenged, you have to come up with better support for what you believe in. And if what you believe in is truly correct, all that's going to do is refine your beliefs.
And give you the power to articulate your proof and your beliefs in a way that it can't be denied. So suppressing the freedom of speech and removing controversial conversations is only hindering your ability to truly reason your own beliefs. Another big problem I see, you know, in the country knows people too easily staple their beliefs to their identities. They are not very selective about which beliefs, you know, and which perceptions.
Of reality they nailed to their identity. Everybody wants to be seen as a good person, you know. Nobody wants to be a pariah generally right if you are, you know, if you get off on that, you know, that's probably not good. But for most people, they want to be well liked, you know, And I am I trying to say that.
I guess I'll give you an example, you know, like COVID, for example. Nobody wants to be accused, you know, of wanting to kill somebody's grandmother because they won't wear a mask or social distance or take any of these. Measures, you know. And if you persecute people, you know who resist that, who ended up being right? I think we've there's probably people listening, you know that would disagree, you know that still think that that was all necessary.
But I guess I could, you know, for their sake, you know, I guess I could go into some of my reasoning why I never went along with it. I refused to wear the mask, refused to get vaccinated, refused to do the social distancing things in grocery stores. And I guess I realized, you know that. Like a lot of a lot of people trusting the authorities, you know, and the real danger in that, you know, comes from the Milgrim experiments.
You know. Stanley Milgram, uh was a famous professor for at Stanford, and he did one particular study on obedience, you know, and a lot of people aren't aware of their capacity for evil, you know, because a lot of because most people want to be seen as a good person, you know, they imagine, you know that, well, I would never go along with Nazis. You know, well a lot of people in the nineteen thirties, did you know, say that? Now? Right these the. The the irony of it, you know is that you know, practicing medicine on people without their consent, you know, is something a Nazi would do, you know, And that's not to say that you're necessarily a bad person if you did get along with that, you know, you're just an ordinary person like everybody else.
Most of those people who went along with Nazis, you know, or any other form of extreme ideological conformity, you know, a lot people did that because it made them. One of the reasons, you know, was social benefits. You know, you get. You're you're a good person, you know, if you toe the Nazi party line, you know, and it made you a pillar of the community, if you went along with it.
That's the real danger in obeying authorities, you know, if the authority is wrong, you know, and you're not able to hear anybody else's criticism of their ideas, you know, or their beliefs, or their prescriptions on how to solve a pandemic, for example, then it leads you into trouble. If that makes sense. Now, I want to add something of my own opinion here and clarify. I think some of your points.
Is respecting authority and blindly following authority are two different things. I don't think Brad here is saying that you should go and ignore all of your doctor's advice just because your doctor is an authority on medicine and general health practices, and it's that. You should have. A good criticism of an authority's influence on you, a good amount of caution against being told what to do, when to do, and how to do on everyday practices that you've partake in.
So your doctor tells you that you have diabetes and you shouldn't eat too much sugar, it's probably a good idea to listen and get your insulin treatments if that's what your doctor prescribes. But a doctor tells you that, hey, I have this experimental new medication and I think it'll really work, maybe you should criticize that and go to another doctor and see what their opinion is on the new medication. Do some research of your own, see what the side effects are, and just have the common sense to come to your own decisions with all of the information given. Respect the advice of authority, but don't take it as a command and don't feel like you have to listen to it just because it comes from someone with experience.
Make your own decisions. And that comes with experience, like especially being veterans, like we have been through extreme almost like communist types of environments, where or dictator type environments where we've had people tell us to take out the trash and there was no offens or butts for the most part, and you did it. And so when we finally got our when we got out of the military, we were it was like getting out of jail. For those you know that have been in jail and know what that feeling is like, that is ultimate freedom.
And so of course you want to like rock the boat a little bit, and you want to express yourself and stuff like that. So what am I trying to say? So it's just it it comes with experience. So if you're if you're a veteran, like we saw it, I thought I was the only one like I was going into Costco when they told me to mask up, Dude, I was the first one in there without a mask, walking proudly. It might as well have had my shirt off.
I wanted to be seen that bad like it just it made so much sense to me that something is wrong here. It was crystal clear. And I was only like thirty years old at the time, but because of the military experience, I was able to like, no, dude, this is weird. But what they did is they separated us in the way like where either were pinning family member family members against each other, saying like, you know, you're not being a citizen, or you're not being patriotic, you're not doing your duty.
They started throwing these terms out, dude, and those were so easy for me to catch. Those were like such red flags that wasn't even funny, And yeah, I just saw I thought it would never end. I was more scared of the totalitarianism. I was more scared of a bus coming up and picking me up and saying get on this or you're going to be perished than I was of really anything else.
I saw it on that extreme level. That's because of the experience. But people who don't have experience, unfortunately, they're going to buy in to do the right thing at your duty exacting. It's as important to listen to your conscience, I guess is the probably the core message of this podcast.
You know, I never really went into the Milgrim's experiment, so I guess i'll sort of lay that out what that is if you've never heard of it. So one of the experiments. That they did on people on obedience, they would bring the subject their studying into a room and set them in front of a box, and he was told to teach another person via intercom in another room how to do math. And the other person in the room was an actor on the intercom pretending to be shocked, and so every time he got an answer wrong of a math problem, the person that they were doing the experiment on would initiate a fake electrical shock to the actor in the other room.
Right. It progressed from a low voltage up to a high voltage. So you have several switches in a row, and one of the switches towards the end what had a label written on it that said could cause serious death and injury. And when they got to that point, you know, after they flipped the switch, before they got to that one, right, the actor would object and want to in the experiment, right, And the person who they are studying, who they're observing, would turn back to the person administrating the experiment, you know, and ask him, I should I continue? Right? And the only thing that the person administrating the test was allowed to say is that the test must continue and you won't get in trouble if anything goes wrong.
And the other guy in the other room is objecting to this, you know, so what the result of that? You know, there was two versions of this. I should also say the first version, you are alone by yourself with this instructor in the room and the guy on the intercom, about seventy five percent of people in that scenario would flip the switch. That could cause serious injury or death. That's sick, that's actually normal.
Most people want to conform to authorities, you know, and if you don't have a strong conscience, you know, to guide your your to guide you, you know, you won't stand up to them most of the time. But if there was a second version they did where you are allowed to have a friend in the room, and if your friend advised you, I don't think you should do it, nobody flipped the switch. Oh I see the peer pressure, yeah, or the loyalty of the trusting friend. And that's where time comes back to freedom of speech.
You know, it's there to protect truth tellers, and the truth tellers, you know, they're always in a minority, They're always a tiny minority. It most won't I don't want to say most people are liars, you know, but it's a lot easier to spread a lie, you know, and throw mud than it is to be accurate, you know, in your statements. And because most people aren't seeking after truth, they're seeking after validation. They want to conform to what the group wants.
And if that's your motivation, you know, is not to think for yourself, you know, but to be accepted into the group, you know, it's very hard for you to not flip that switch, you know. And when you see somebody disobeying authority, you know, you're more likely, you know, to become basically like a Nazi singled out. You're going to single people out, you know, and it becomes very culty. And one of the really negative things that really happened during COVID is a destroyed a lot of family relationships.
I saw this in my. Own family big time. One of the things that cults always do first, you know, is they want to isolate you away from the people who care about you most, that would want you to not drink the kool aid, so to speak. So so that's a good one.
That's a good second time I've heard that. Going off of a little bit of what Brad said here is not only was COVID nineteen just one of the things that separated families but it was also one of the largest, in my opinion, one of the largest social experiments ever conducted on a large scale. Yeah, on a large scale, a world a worldwide scale, in a very coercive way. Yeah, because of the Internet.
Because of the Internet, and it was along with it being a social experiment to see how people would respond. I very much believe they knew that families would be ripped apart by the differences in opinion and those who follow authority in those who do not follow authority, and is used as a tactic to further separate political parties and polarize the American public, which ultimately reduces the amount of power any individual citizen has in America, giving the government more influence and more control, which, as we were discussing earlier outside of this podcast, is the primary focus of any governments. Eventually, no matter how the government starts, eventually a government will become corrupt and it will focus on how much power it can achieve and maintain that power for as long as possible. And that's exactly what it did with COVID nineteen was reaching new height of influence and.
Power exactly Well said, Yeah, it was a new height. Yeah, it was a new height communication. They saw that. I believe that they saw the Internet as easy, like social media.
I mean, we can communicate, you know, think along a lower level like Skype. When I was when I was deployed, I was talking to my best friend on Skype. You know. So like social media at the scale at it's at now, you were seeing bots in the comments.
You were seeing all of these lies that we don't know if they were humans or not. But people were literally buying into the bots, I think. And so you're right, like people aren't using their heads. They're not using their noggins listening to their conscience either or health.
They're not paying attention to their health either, like we're about to. That's a whole other avenue of can of worms. It's like we're just now seeing this years later, like we don't know how people are dying. Like I'm seeing some of these people saying like, dude, like X amount of years after I got the shot, like I'm feeling this and that I don't know.
I haven't read enough been too. I'm sure you guys have, but it just seems like, dude, I think this is just the beginning. Who knows what people just got shot up with all of a sudden, they came out with a solution pretty fast, and they said there wasn't one something developed when I'm using quotations. Yeah, rapidly.
That's preta key And I want to go off on a side note here before you continue on the main topic. It's pretty related. It's something we were discussing a little bit ago. Is on the factor of social media, communication and power grabs for the government.
The TikTok ban. The TikTok ban has nothing to do with invasion of privacy on the average citizen, has nothing to do with TikTok being a Chinese owned company, and it has nothing to do with the owner or the CEO being from Singapore. What the TikTok ban has to do with is again, control of information. TikTok was way too uncensored for American standards and allowed for too many controversial opinions to be brought up from any side of the political party.
No matter where you lay in the spectrum, you were allowed to have a voice and you are allowed to say what you wanted within certain means. You couldn't say certain words like kill or anything like that. Yeah, harassment speech or you know, obviously things against children or like yeah, way, anything. Like that, that's typical.
But you could voice your opinion articulately and directly, pretty easily on TikTok, no matter what that opinion was, and it allowed for people to get unadulterated access to events around the world, the direct opinions of people being influenced by government policies, by the war in Ukraine, by the invasion of Iraq, whatever you want to say, the disputes between Israel and Palestine, everything. You could get opinions from both sides. You could see the destruction that was happening, and you could see just unfiltered contents that was controversial to your own beliefs and made people question their reasoning again going back to the one of the fundamental benefits of freedom of speech, which is excuse me, which is to refine your reasoning. That's what TikTok was doing to the American public, and the government seen this and started getting worried because we were starting to see how bad the government was.
All of the bullshit that we were going through just to live day to day life, and all the policies people were starting to learn about, like what lobbying is, and how truly messed up it is to allow a corporation to buy politicians basically and buy their votes, and to have he's written that benefit corporations just because they have billions of dollars, but never benefit the average citizen. We're seeing it right now. Who would have thought Elon Musk would be secondhand to Trump? Yeah, Like, I hate getting into politics, but dude, it's so obvious, Like the dude can't possibly I mean, respect the guy, respect both of them, but let's be honest, man, how much do you really Maybe you know a lot about efficiency, but and then maybe we don't need a government. Maybe that's the case too.
But you're seeing it with what money can do, what money can buy, Like, you're seeing it, and we just saw it, like and we don't know if it will be the end of it. We don't even know if all right, this is my opinion. I don't think there's I don't think there's going to be United States of America the way that we are used to seeing it with a constitution. I don't think I think it's going to be completely rewritten.
I think Trump's going to overstep any rules. I think he's going to make up his own rules as is going along, because the younger generation, possibly maybe it's my ignorant, doesn't understand the Constitution. I don't understand the Bill of Rights. I'm so dumb when it comes to that stuff that I think they have enough power, you know, money all that going for them, that they can control, possibly the narrative.
They can change things and change the way we think, and we were just seeing it right now. That's that was my biggest fear when Trump Trump got elected was like, dude, this dude is stepping over boundaries, he's stepping into realms that he has never stepped before, and he's making it up as he goes along. Like more power to him. But it's just it's it's to me, it's scary to see like things being rewritten at a rapid rate.
And that's just my opinion. I don't know if that's true. But that's just how I see it. Yeah, I guess my take on it.
It's a little bit different. You know. It seems like the censorship on TikTok, you know, was quite off the charts, you know, and TikTok allowed for you know, kind of instigated Elon's buy out of Twitter, you know, because they were persecuting him and Donald Trump to that for that matter. You know, I can remember back to twenty sixteen, you know, when Twitter was still on by Jack Dorsey, you know, and you had all these let's not trying to pick a fight, you know, but a lot of people that were woke, you know, that viewed him as a fascist, and the mainstream news media that still had a lot of influence back then and social media treated him like he was like the incarnation of Hitler.
You know, I definitely don't agree with that assessment, you know, but you know, people who are anti fascists, you know, it's it's kind of ironic. A lot of people, you know, endorsed the killing of the United Healthcare CEO, for example, and I can see why. You know, he was not a particularly good guy. You know, he denied healthcare claims to helpless, vulnerable people, you know, and left them to die and then uphold his end of the bargain.
And he had the number one of he was number one for claim denials. I think it was thirty three percent of claims that he was denying. What is that related to, like veterans or related to other insurance companies. So this kat was like denying claim notorious for denying claims.
Yes, yeah, so leading people to die and not upholding the bargain after you've spent years paying on your policy, you know, and then not being able to get cancer treatment or basic drugs and problems things like that, you know, creates an enormous amount of hardship for people. You know. But the U in a similar I don't know, a lot of people are outraged about the CEO leaving people to die, you know. One of the bigger problems.
You know, from a military perspective. You know, you have an awful lot of military contractors out there, like you see this all the way back to Iraq and Afghanistan, Donald Rumspell, George W. Bush, all of them profiting you know, from Haliburton, and now you've got so many of them lock you Martin even. Like used to work for.
Them mission support north of Grumman, following all of these corporations you know that benefit and lobby or government, you know, to make weapons. It's in their interest, right it is, Oh yeah, and to make the bullets. They are warmongers, you know. They there's the one of the the worst parts about, you know, serving in the military for me before I got out was realizing that I wasn't actually doing anything to protect people's liberty or spreading democracy around the world or anything like that.
It was a total loss of confidence in my leadership and the general direction of the country. And that goes all the way back to George W. Bush. I was really naive, and I joined.
I joined in two thousand and nine after Obama. I voted for him twice, and I've sincerely believed that he would end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but instead he only made them worse. He was there, he dropped more bombs from drones than any other person, to the point where he started to deplete our stockpiles for weapons for drones. Maybe you guys want to speak to that before I know.
Well, So I was in Afghanistan in two thousand and eleven and twelve, deployed there as a marine and. Talking about purpose. Right. So his name was Osama bin Laan, Right, I sound awful for them, remember.
But he was the guy, right, He was the Steal Team six guy. That guy. Yeah, So I was there when that happened. I wasn't like in the building, but I was, you know, the nearby FOB operating base.
And I remember about the news, like, hey, you know that, my marines came up to me. I just got done eating and they came up and they're like, hey, you know so and so we got him or whatever, you know, all all the hype or whatever, and it's crazy talking about this, but like I thought, Wow, we did it. Guys, we can go home. Now, like if it were up to me, you know, pack your bags, go home.
And I remember bringing that up to my officer and I asked him. I was like, hey, can we you know, does that mean we're going home? You know, mission accomplished. He's like, no, it's you know been I'm paraphrasing. He's like, it's not over.
And I'm like, what Typically in my head, this is my thought process. Typically when you take out the reason why we came here or something of a reason, maybe it was bigger than that, and obviously it ended up being bigger than that, but I just I got confused about why we're here. And then fast forward years later, the Taliban took over the very base that we were. Holding for so long, So it's like, what was this all for see, I get confused.
The thing about down one person is that all seems well and good, like you play video games and watch movies, and they always make it about taking down the head person leading the group. But it's not a person that's actually leading a group or causing the entire Is it like conflation, it's the ideation. It's the idea behind the leader. Once someone like sure, at the end of World War Two, we took Hitler killed himself, but we were already winning that war and not subjugating, but overthrowing the Nazi powers at the time.
If we had ended up assassinating Hitler at some time before that, one of his generals, one of his h subordinates, one of them, they would have just taken over. They would have been the next in line and convinced and sold on the idea. Yeah, it's like like he said before, with certain ideals, mass movements and stuff. It's like a cult.
Once you get in, you start rejecting any other ideology, and you start rejecting anything that contradicts your beliefs, and you just refuse to accept any possibility if you you being wrong. So I want to start a cold all I gotta do is how people believe strongly enough after my death, you'll continue fighting. I mean, think about any religion, the Messiah, the prophets. They're all dead, but the religion continues.
This is the end of the podcast episode..
Hello, it's Carl here. I've been homeless in Salt Lake City, Utah for a while now. It's definitely not fun, but there's a strange peace to it. I'm still working on finding housing and trying to get my ducks in a row. To kill time, I've been writing and working on my laptop at Starbucks, trying to stay organized despite my situation.
As a homeless veteran, I've gained valuable insights into survival, personal growth, and the importance of community support. My journey has been challenging, but it's also taught me important lessons about resilience and compassion.
Daily Challenges and Coping Strategies
Living without a permanent residence requires adaptability and resourcefulness. I've learned to:
- Maintain hygiene by using laundromats and public restrooms
- Stay connected with my laptop and internet access, allowing me to continue working on my online business
- Carry a gallon of water everywhere to stay hydrated
- Rely on my vehicle for shelter and mobility, despite maintenance issues
Mental Health and Personal Growth
Homelessness has exacerbated my existing mental health issues, but it's also presented opportunities for self-reflection and growth:
- I continue to take my prescribed medication to control thoughts and manage sleep issues, including PTSD-related nightmares
- I've chosen to avoid drugs and alcohol during this stressful time, which has been challenging but rewarding
- Processing past traumas and learning to manage intrusive thoughts is an ongoing journey
- I've recognized the importance of surrounding myself with supportive, goal-oriented people for my personal growth and mental health
Veteran-Specific Challenges
As a veteran, I face unique challenges and have access to specific resources:
- I deal with combat-related PTSD symptoms, such as heightened awareness and intrusive memories
- Navigating the VA system for healthcare and potential disability claims is time-consuming but potentially beneficial
- I try to connect with other veterans who may be experiencing similar challenges
Compassion and Giving Back
Despite my personal hardships, I strive to maintain compassion for others:
- I help others in need when I can, such as providing food to fellow homeless individuals
- I've gained perspective, recognizing that everyone faces different forms of trauma and hardship, regardless of their veteran status
Looking Forward
While homelessness presents significant challenges, I'm trying to maintain hope and work towards future goals:
- I'm researching affordable housing options and considering future living arrangements
- I manage multiple small income streams and plan for potential disability benefits
- I continue to learn, grow, and share my experiences to help others in similar situations
This journey through homelessness as a veteran has been eye-opening. It's shown me the complex challenges faced by those who have served our country and underscored the need for comprehensive support programs that address not only housing but also mental health, employment, and community integration for homeless veterans.
Daily Struggles and Gratitude
Being homeless is challenging, but I'm keeping a positive attitude. I'm grateful for my vehicle, even though it has no heat and needs some repairs. The AC works fine, but the back right brake keeps squeaking, and I need new brake pads and an oil change soon.
I have a little bit of money, about $1200, but it's not enough to secure an apartment. I can manage to pay my phone bill and maybe car insurance, but that's about it. I'm still getting meals from the Vaylor House, though I'm not in their system to live there yet. The food is delicious, which is a small comfort.
Community Resources
Seeking Support and Making Decisions
I've applied to a few homeless programs, but haven't received many responses. The homeless shelters nearby are an option, but I'd rather avoid exposure to drugs and alcohol. I'm considering reaching out to the Mormon church or other churches for support.
I don't have any family here in Utah; they're all in Wisconsin and Nevada. I recently got out of a bad relationship, and I'm determined to move forward, even if it means facing this challenging situation alone.
Mental Health and Personal Growth
My PTSD claim is still in progress, and I'm hoping it'll go through soon. My nightmares have been easing up lately, but I'm not sure when they might return. I'm working on making good decisions, staying safe and healthy, and keeping out of trouble.
I'm learning to take it one day at a time, though there's certainly a lot of uncertainty. Getting out of that house was probably the best decision I could've made. I'm trying to surround myself with people who are like me or better.
Financial Assistance
Look into programs that offer financial support:
Despite the challenges, I'm still striving to improve my situation. I'm grateful for my knowledge about computers, databases, and marketing. I'm hoping to use these skills to turn things around. Every day, I try to make new contacts – you never know who might be able to help.
I desperately want to be in an apartment again, working on my computer, making good money, and having the freedom to travel and have some fun. I like living in the Salt Lake area, near the University of Utah. While the Marine Corps was a good experience overall, living with the traumas from combat deployment is hard.
It's not always easy, and I do feel alone sometimes, but I have to catch my thoughts. I'm learning to communicate better and make friends. Sometimes I wish I had a girlfriend, but I'd rather have a quality relationship with someone who understands my PTSD and high alertness.
For now, I'm just taking it one day at a time, trying to stay positive, and working towards a better future. It's hard to envision a better life when I'm down, but I'm hoping things will turn around soon.
As a Marine Corps veteran now experiencing homelessness, I want to share my personal journey with you. It's been two days since I found myself without a permanent home, and I'm currently at a McDonald's in Draper, Utah. This situation isn't entirely new to me - I've faced challenges before, but this time feels different.
I recently left an emotionally abusive relationship. It's hard for me to admit that because I truly loved her, but I realize now that she was gaslighting me. She would accuse me of hurting her when I know in my heart that I have good energy. It took a lot of strength to walk away, but I knew it was necessary for my well-being.
Last night, I slept in my car in the McDonald's parking lot. It's not ideal, but I'm grateful for the safety it provides. I'm using a ProtonVPN to stay secure on the public Wi-Fi here, which allows me to continue working on my affiliate marketing business. I'm proud that despite my current circumstances, I haven't given up on my dream of making money online.
Enhancing Support for Homeless Veterans Through Practical Solutions
Supporting homeless veterans involves not only providing shelter but also creating a comfortable and supportive environment that fosters well-being and independence. By integrating practical solutions and thoughtful products, organizations can significantly enhance the quality of life for veterans transitioning to stable living conditions.
Creating a welcoming and comfortable living space is crucial for veterans who are adjusting to new environments. The Sandwich Sectional offers a cozy seating option for communal areas, encouraging social interaction and relaxation. Complementing this, the Drystan 6 Drawer Dresser provides essential storage, helping veterans organize their personal belongings and maintain a tidy living space. To ensure warmth during colder months, Space Heaters for Indoor Use are vital, offering efficient heating solutions that create a comfortable atmosphere.
In addition to furniture, personal items play a significant role in fostering a sense of identity and pride among veterans. The Official Licensed Headwear "Veteran" Embroidered Baseball Cap and the Afghanistan Veteran Hat Ball Cap OEF serve as symbols of recognition and appreciation for their service, helping veterans feel valued and connected to their community.
Practical tools and technology can further support veterans in their daily lives. The FlexSolar 15W Small Solar Panel Charger provides a reliable power source for personal devices, promoting independence and connectivity. For larger power needs, the EcoFlow Solar Generator offers a sustainable energy solution, ensuring that veteran housing facilities remain operational even during power outages.
Health and wellness are also critical components of veteran support. The Aquasonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush encourages good oral hygiene, an essential aspect of overall health. Additionally, the Sparthos Back Support Belt provides physical support for veterans dealing with back pain, enhancing their comfort and mobility.
By incorporating these products and solutions, organizations can create a nurturing environment that not only meets the basic needs of homeless veterans but also empowers them to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Through thoughtful integration of these resources, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who have served our country.
My experience in the Marine Corps taught me the value of resilience and adaptability.
The motto "Semper Fidelis" - always faithful - resonates with me now more than ever. I'm staying faithful to my goals and to my belief that things will get better.
Today, something amazing happened. I noticed a fellow veteran wearing a military hat at McDonald's. Gathering my courage, I approached him and struck up a conversation, mentioning that I was a Marine Corps veteran who had recently become homeless after leaving a toxic relationship. I was on my way to the VA Hospital in Utah for help. As we talked, I saw him reach into his pocket, and to my surprise, he handed me $20. It wasn't just about the money; it was a reminder that there are people out there willing to help.
This simple act of kindness made me feel less alone in my struggle. It reinforced my belief in the strong bond between veterans and gave me hope for the future. Moments like these remind me why I'm proud to wear my Afghanistan Veteran Hat – it's not just a piece of clothing, but a symbol of our shared experiences and the support we can offer each other.
I'm grateful for the skills I've developed over the years. My degree in marketing from UNLV and my experience with internet marketing are invaluable assets. I'm able to work on my business using just my laptop, even in these challenging circumstances. It's a stark contrast to my previous living situation, where my skills weren't fully understood or appreciated.
To stay organized and manage my finances, I'm using the Qube Money app. It's been a lifesaver, helping me budget with an envelope-based system. I highly recommend it to anyone in a similar situation.
Despite the hardships, I'm staying sober. I've relied on substances in the past to cope with difficult times, but I'm committed to facing this challenge clear-headed. My ultimate goal is to create emotional music that inspires others to keep pushing forward, just as I'm doing now.
I'm learning to connect with others, even if it's just through small compliments. It helps me work through my PTSD and social anxiety. Every day, I remind myself that this situation is temporary. I'm reaching out to VA resources and fellow veterans for support.
Remember, if you're struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to VA Homeless Programs, local shelters, or veteran organizations. Your service is valued, and support is available.
For those looking for additional resources and inspiration, check out these articles:
I'm taking this journey one day at a time, staying focused on my goals, and believing in a better future. If you're in a similar situation, know that you're not alone. We can get through this together.
? Stay hydrated by carrying a BuildLife 1 Gallon Water Bottle everywhere (https://go.wolvofficial.com/unit-84)
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? Consider Spring Valley Melatonin Gummies to help with sleep issues, but consult a healthcare professional first (https://go.wolvofficial.com/unit-12)
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? Maintain good hygiene by using local laundromats and public restrooms when possible
As a homeless veteran, I've learned that compassion is a powerful force, even in the most challenging circumstances. Despite my own struggles, I've found that helping others not only lifts their spirits but also gives me a sense of purpose and connection.
One day, while at a gas station, I noticed a woman sitting down who seemed to be in a tough spot.
Without hesitation, I approached her with some food I had - pop tarts, granola bars, and top ramen. I simply asked, "Could you use some food right now?" Her gratitude was immediate and touching. She thanked me multiple times and even complimented my taste in food. It was a small gesture, but I could see it meant a lot to her. Interestingly, right after this act of kindness, my own gas card stopped working. Despite my frustration with technology at that moment, I couldn't help but feel glad that I had been able to help someone else, even as I faced my own challenges.
These moments of giving have become an important part of my journey. Even though I sometimes hear an inner voice questioning why I'm helping others when I should be focusing on myself, I can't ignore my natural inclination to lend a hand where I can. I've come to realize that compassion isn't about who has more or less, or who's better off. It's about recognizing our shared humanity and doing what we can in the moment. Whether it's sharing food, offering a kind word, or simply acknowledging someone's struggle, these small acts of compassion remind me that we're all in this together, regardless of our individual circumstances.
Homeless Shelters for Veterans: A Comprehensive Guide
As a Marine Corps veteran who has experienced homelessness firsthand, I understand the critical importance of having access to safe and supportive shelters. In this article, we'll explore various resources and programs available to help homeless veterans find shelter and support.
The Need for Veteran-Specific Shelters
Veterans face unique challenges when experiencing homelessness, often stemming from service-related issues such as PTSD, physical disabilities, and difficulty transitioning to civilian life. Specialized shelters and programs for veterans can provide targeted support to address these specific needs.
VA Homeless Programs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a range of programs to support homeless and at-risk veterans:
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)
The NCHV is a crucial resource for veterans seeking shelter and support. They offer a comprehensive database of local service providers and a helpline for veterans in need.
DAV Homeless Veterans Initiative
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization supports homeless veterans through various initiatives, including partnerships with government entities to develop assistance programs.
Local VA Medical Centers and Community Resource Centers
Many local VA facilities offer support and can connect veterans with nearby shelters and housing resources. Use the VA's facility locator to find help in your area.
Essential Items for Homeless Veterans
While seeking shelter, having the right gear can make a significant difference. Here are some recommended items:
Financial Management for Homeless Veterans
Managing finances while homeless can be challenging. The Qube Money app uses an envelope-based budgeting system to help you stay on top of your expenses.
Additional Resources
As someone who is navigating homelessness as a veteran, I understand the challenges you may be facing.
Remember, there are resources and people ready to help. Don't hesitate to reach out to the VA, local shelters, or veteran organizations. Our service is valued, and support is available to help us get back on our feet.
For more insights on personal growth, budgeting, and making money online while dealing with challenging situations, check out these articles:
Stay strong, fellow veteran!
With perseverance and the right resources, we can overcome this challenging time and build a stable future. We are going to have to keep a close watch on our goals; keeping them at the center of our minds eye.