Terri’s Triumph!

For Navy veteran Terri, family has always been her top priority. When tough times hit and housing became uncertain, Terri did everything in her power to keep her children safe and shield them from the realities of the situation. She spent her last few dollars on hotel rooms, sacrificing her own comfort for the good of her family. But thanks to your generosity and support, Terri didn’t have to face these challenges on her own.

When Terri returned to civilian life, she looked forward to starting a new chapter filled with promise. She had served her country with pride and resilience, but coming home wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Terri encountered unforeseen obstacles that left her struggling to find stability and a sense of belonging for herself and her two daughters.

Terri and her kids.

But you were there lending a helping hand so that Terri did not have to face these hardships alone, when life turned upside down for Terri, you were there to help her find her way back.

For Terri, her troubles began in what should have been a joyful time, a medical emergency arose and complications in her pregnancy led to an emergency C-section and a two-month hospital stay. The aftermath was devastating. Terri lost her job and, eventually, her home.

“When I left the hospital, literally all I had was a car—everything else was gone,” Terri said.

With nowhere else to turn, she and her daughters moved into an extended-stay hotel. The costs of the hotel were astronomical and although Terri had resumed working, nearly every dollar she earned went toward paying for the room. For over a year, she and her daughters lived in hotels, barely scraping by. “We were just surviving,” Terri said.

The breaking point arrived in November 2023. Sitting at work, Terri realized she could no longer afford the hotel without sacrificing food and gas for her family.

“If I missed a hotel payment, me and my kids were on the street.”

Remembering her mother’s advice to call 211 in a crisis, Terri reached out for help. Within days, she was connected to HVAF, and you were there to offer Terri and her kids a path to stability.

Lauren, an HVAF Case Manager, quickly moved Terri and her children into a fully covered hotel. This crucial intervention lifted a massive financial burden off of Terri’s shoulders.

You gave Terri the breathing room she desperately needed to find a permanent home. During her time in the hotel, Lauren worked closely with Terri to tour potential houses, ensuring they did not settle for a substandard living environment.

By mid-February, Terri proudly signed a lease for a safe, comfortable apartment for her family.

“When I walked through those doors and saw my room, I finally felt safe for the first time in months,” Terri said. “It gave me the breathing room I desperately needed.”

Securing housing was just the first step. Stability isn’t linear and YOU were there every step of the way for Terri and her kids.

When sudden car trouble caused Terri to lose her job shortly after moving into her apartment, your donations helped get her back on the road.

Through HVAF’s VetWorks program, Terri secured an IT internship. Giving her the chance to gain valuable tech certifications while working a schedule that accommodates her children!

Your dedication to this community makes comprehensive wrap-around services for veterans in need possible. You give veterans the tools they need to achieve long-term independence.

Terri’s journey from an extended-stay hotel to a home of her own is a direct result of your compassion. When asked what she would say to the donors who make HVAF’s programs possible, Terri offered this heartfelt message:

“First off, I would like to say thank you for donating to this program because it has truly not just changed my life, but it has impacted me and helped me grow… If it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have the apartment and housing that I have now.”

You change lives.

Support our heroes today by making a contribution today to help provide essential services to veterans like Terri and her family!

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