On Dec. 11, homeless veteran Katie Bradis pulled into the parking lot of what was to be her new home.With one large blanket she planned to spread across the floor to sleep on, Bradis entered the apartment and found out her new housing came fully furnished through the efforts of Jewish Family and Children's Services of Sarasota-Manatee, Bayside Community Church and Vengroff Williams and Associates.
"I feel excited, overwhelmed, happy, elated and not stressed," said Bradis, who later admitted she really had no idea how long it was going to take for her to get a bed, and furniture, to sleep on in her new, permanent home.
In November, JFCS received a $516,670 federal grant to help local veterans receive assistance for permanent housing, financial benefits and social services. read more>>>
Dec. 23, 2011 - Greg Guerra turned the key to his new apartment Friday and found nearly two dozen people inside, along with a new sofa, chair, TV, bed, pots and pans, plates and other necessities.Overwhelmed, the 55-year-old shook hands, thanked many of the people — most of them with organizations that have helped him throughout the year — and explored his new home in Phoenix. He tested the TV, which wasn’t working and was quickly taken by someone for repair or replacement, and he went to the bedroom, where he collapsed on his back on his new bed.
Guerra had been told days ago that he qualified for the government-paid rental assistance, but he doubted it would come true.
“I had the attitude that I would believe when I see it,” he said. “I thought, ‘I’m going to wait until I have the key in my hand.’ "
Guerra said he is lucky to be in this apartment near 17th and Missouri avenues, and he plans to spend his Christmas weekend watching movies, cooking meals and opening presents in his new home. Until Friday morning, he had been homeless, dependent on shelters and veterans services for food, a bed, counseling and an education.
Guerra, a three-year veteran of the U.S. Army and former sergeant in the National Guard, is the first veteran in Arizona to get an apartment through Project H3 VETS. The new initiative involves 25 non-profit groups working under the umbrella of the Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness.
The coalition works closely with city, county and federal officials to quickly find homes for homeless veterans who qualify for federal vouchers, which are offered through a special program of the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development. read more>>>
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