Shawn and Amy’s life took a difficult turn when they lost their cars, triggering a ripple effect. Without transportation, Shawn lost his job, and the couple quickly fell behind on rent. Eventually, they were at risk of homelessness.
“As a Veteran, we are trained not to ask for help… we are the protectors and providers,” said Shawn, an Army Veteran.
Amy felt overwhelmed and hopeless, unsure where to turn as her life spiraled. Fortunately, through her children’s school, she was connected to Veterans Count as an Army Veteran spouse.
The family was behind on rent and desperately needed housing stability. While some agencies might have offered short-term assistance and moved on, Veterans Count took a more committed approach. Thanks to grant funding, Veterans Count remained engaged with Shawn and Amy’s family for several years, long enough to fully assess and address the root causes of their challenges.
One unexpected crisis occurred when contractors unplugged their deep freezer during home repairs, causing all their food to spoil. The company refused to replace the lost food, but Veterans Count stepped in once again to help.
“It’s a blessing to walk into my house and just know that everything’s going to be OK,” said Amy.
Beyond emergency support, Veterans Count provided wraparound services tailored to the family’s unique needs. They helped them catch up on rent, supplied school essentials for the children, connected Amy with mental health resources, and assisted in increasing Shawn’s VA disability rating. They even helped him access medical records he had long believed were out of reach.
“Asking for help is good, and once they ask for help from us, they can learn to ask for help in other places until eventually they get everything they deserve to have in their life,” said Leslie, Housing Program Manager from Veterans Count.
Veterans Count understands that every Veteran and their family deserves more than a quick fix. They deserve someone who sees the whole picture and walks alongside them for the long haul. That’s why Veterans Count provides holistic, comprehensive support, empowering those who’ve served to thrive in every aspect of life.
To learn more about the services Veterans Count provides visit: https://vetscount.org/
About Veterans Count
Established in 2007, Veterans Count, a program of Easterseals NH, provides critical and timely clinical and social services and financial assistance to the military community to ensure their dignity, physical and mental health, and overall well-being. Through its unique care coordination and clinical services program, Veterans Count provides confidential support to meet specific needs.