STORIES OF EMPOWERMENT: Brett's Story
A Beautiful Example of What Can Happen When a Motivated Person and The Salvation Army Join Forces
Brett has always been a hard worker. Whether it was providing for his family or his time in the service, Brett, a 67-year-old Veteran, gave his all to everything he did. And, when significant life challenges like health conditions, hardships, and homelessness stood in his way, he gave everything he had to overcome his circumstances and rebuild his life.
Brett’s health issues left him with medical bills and unable to work. “I was left with a mass in my lungs and a stent”, stated Brett. “My health really slowed me down. I was unable to do the things I used to do.” Brett’s health issues hampered his life, but his homelessness took away the thing most important to him, his family. “I had no way to visit my daughter and no place for her to visit me. I was missing out on my grandkids growing up.”
Determined to rebuild his life, Brett reached out to The Salvation Army.
Teresa, Brett’s Case Manager in our Permanent Supportive Housing Program, shared with us, “Brett is a beautiful example of what can happen when a motivated person and The Salvation Army join forces”. Brett, a proud man, wasn’t looking for a handout, he needed a hand up, which is exactly what our Permanent Supportive Housing Program offers people who are homelessness and are living with a disability. “Once the individual is housed, we establish goals to self sufficiency and stability and partner with them to meet these goals”, stated Teresa.
In November, Brett would be in his home one year and he continues to make progress in meeting his goals. He has been reunited with his daughter and grandchildren and is enjoying their time together. He secured a job at Home Depot and continues to take on more responsibility there. Brett admits that he is technologically challenged and is taking computer classes. The VA has given him a laptop so he can strengthen his skills. Driven by a strong desire to end his daily walk to work, Brett meets regularly with Teresa for money management and budgeting assistance. He is now saving for a car and is working to acquire a forklift license. Brett’s job helped him reestablish his self-worth and independence. Brett proudly shared, “for the first time, I was able to buy my grandson a birthday gift”.
The journey out of homelessness requires stability in order to be self-sustaining, and, for vulnerable populations in Sarasota County, The Salvation Army’s Permanent Supportive Housing Program is the answer to end homelessness.