John's Story

On one night in January 2014, communities across America identified 49,933 homeless veterans during a point-in-time count. Since then, it has been a national priority to end veteran homelessness, and we are proud to be participating in this effort as part of the Zero: 2016 campaign. Great strides have been made toward this goal in suburban Cook County, but it's also important to recognize what ending veteran homelessness means on an individual basis. 

On that night in 2014, John was one of the 49,933 veterans without a home. After growing up in the Chicago area, he got married at 18 and had a child. As a manager for Smarte Carte at the airport, John wanted to better his life, and decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps. During the time John served, he was stationed on both coasts of the United States and Okinawa, Japan. He describes this period as the happiest time in his life. Following the end of the Gulf War, the military began reducing the number of active duty troops to reduce costs, and John was honorably discharged from the Marines.

Despite his service, John struggled to find sustainable employment, and ended up working at the airport again. He also worked odd jobs to earn extra money for his family. Eventually, John was able to get a job with FedEx, and over the course of 14 years, worked his way up the ranks until he was a delivery driver. During this time, he was able to buy a house, and was financially stable. In 2008, John decided to leave his job at FedEx and start a construction business with his friend. Things were going well at first, but as the recession became increasingly worse, work dried up. At the same time, John's marriage was struggling, and he and his wife decided to divorce. Although John was experiencing extreme financial instability because of the failed construction business, he decided to let his wife stay in their house so that his kids' lives could remain as stable as possible. Despite becoming homeless as a result, John believed the sacrifice for his children was worth it.

For several months, John slept in his car as he looked for work. However, he was experiencing severe anxiety and depression, and his situation was becoming more precarious by the day. John explains that despite knowing about resources for homeless veterans, he felt guilty asking for help, because there were so many veterans in worse situations than his own. On many days, John was unable to do anything because of his depression. Completing the smallest tasks seemed impossible to him, and he was losing hope for the future. Finally, on a good day, John knew he needed help quickly, and took a leap of faith by coming to Housing Forward.

Almost immediately, a case manager began working with John to get him into the Rapid Re-housing program operated in partnership with Hines VA. John was accepted into the program and moved into an apartment. Although he was housed again, John needed intensive help to address his mental health. Alexis, the Housing Forward case manager, and Megan, the VA case manager, worked in tandem to get John connected to the right medical resources, while also working to find a more permanent housing solution for him. Several months ago, John moved into Freedom's Path on the Hines VA campus, a 72-unit apartment complex for homeless veterans, or veterans at imminent risk of becoming homeless. John can stay in his apartment as long as he needs to, and has ready access to the mental health and employment resources offered by Hines VA.

Although John has not yet accomplished all of his goals, he is committed to continuing to take one step at a time and improving as much as possible each day. He says the best part about his current apartment is the doors it has opened for him. He's extraordinarily thankful for the help provided to him, and is interested in learning how to weld as a way to earn income. When asked how he feels now that he has a home again, John had only two words, "grateful and blessed."