Any number of factors can lead to suicidal ideation. Some of the most common challenges newly transitioned veterans face include social isolation, lack of routine, unemployment, housing instability, lack of a sense of purpose, and identity change. 

While this change brings new opportunities, it can also be overwhelming, from finding a new career to adjusting to a different daily routine. One of the simplest yet most impactful ways to combat these challenges is to help veterans build connections. Connections to new friends, communities, and resources.

That’s where YOU can help! 

Endeavors has partnered with Onward Ops to offer a Transition Support Program (TSP) to Texas veterans. The all-virtual program connects transitioning veterans with volunteers who can provide emotional support, practical guidance, and encouragement during this critical time. Sponsors don’t need to be veterans or have any military connection (just a big heart for others!). Volunteering with TSP for just two hours a month can have an incredible impact on a veteran, their family, and their future.

What Does a Transition Support Program Sponsor Do?

Volunteering with the Transition Support Program is simple—but life-changing:

• Be a friendly connection for veterans as they adjust to civilian life.
• Offer encouragement and a listening ear.
• Help veterans navigate critical resources like VA benefits, job support services, and housing assistance

Where Can You Participate?

Since this program is virtual, we’re looking for compassionate volunteers who live anywhere in Texas! 

What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Sponsor?

• Complete the Onwards Ops Sponsor Application
• Complete a certification training through the Department of Veterans Affairs (don’t worry–this is free, and Endeavors will get you set up once your sponsor application is approved!)
• Reliable internet access
• 2 hours/month for a minimum of one year
• No military affiliation or prior knowledge is required! 

Apply as a sponsor and join us in our mission to help ensure that veterans have access to the support they need to build the lives they deserve. Together, we can make the journey to stable civilian life smoother for those who have served our country.

About Endeavors Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit endeavors.org.

The post Volunteers Needed! Help a Veteran Transition to Civilian Life appeared first on Endeavors®.

Battling Mental Health After Military Service

When Ineke Collins reflects on her life in 2017, she remembers a time of darkness and despair.

After medically retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Ineke struggled with complex PTSD caused by an in-service sexual assault. 

“I was on about 15 different pills for pain management and mental health,” Ineke recalls.

Additionally, the sudden change from active duty care to VA care left her battling panic attacks, running out of medication, and facing a heartbreaking reality: her wait for professional mental health care would be over six months long. 

She needed help fast but didn’t know where to turn.

Fortunately, the VA suggested Ineke contact the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors in San Antonio.

The next day, she called our clinic, marking a turning point in her life. 

Finding Hope at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic

When Ineke walked into the Cohen Clinic, she was expecting the same experience she’d had before—a checklist of symptoms, another pill. But from the very first appointment, she realized something was different.

“When I went to Endeavors, I was definitely in the thick of PTSD where you think it’s never going to get better,” she says. “With Endeavors, it was one of the first times with my mental health care where I started to get better without medication.”

At the Cohen Clinic, the care was holistic. It wasn’t just about her diagnosis; it was about her.

Ineke and her clinician spent time talking about her family, her childhood, and her life as a whole before they even addressed her PTSD.

For the first time, Ineke felt seen—not as a statistic, but as a person worthy of healing.

The holistic approach at the Cohen Clinic focused on treating Ineke as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. This is one of the tenets of the Cohen Veterans Network, which first founded its national network of clinics to provide low-cost and no-cost mental health care to post-9/11 veterans and their families.

Endeavors partnered with CVN in 2015 to open three clinics in San Antonio, El Paso, and Killeen, Texas.

“We worked on my mental health as a whole, talking about my family and my childhood,” she remembers, “and we didn’t even get to my PTSD until later. It was about me as a person, and not them checking a box.” 

From Client to Advocate

As Ineke started healing, she found something even more powerful—a sense of purpose. Around the same time she began therapy at the Cohen Clinic, she started working at Starbucks.

The stability of a routine, paired with the mental health support she was receiving, allowed her to flourish. She quickly rose through the ranks to become an assistant manager.

While she no longer needed regular therapy, the impact of the Cohen Clinic stayed with her. She knew she had to give back.

When Ineke learned about Starbucks’ Neighborhood Grants program, Endeavors was the first organization that came to mind.

Ineke nominated Endeavors for a Starbucks Neighborhood Grant and organized volunteer events, bringing her Starbucks team and the community together to support veterans, first responders, and housing clients in the San Antonio area. Whether handing out backpacks to kids in Uvalde or putting together care kits for veterans, Ineke’s heart was fully invested in helping others.

“The first time I was able to do a [volunteer] activation with Endeavors, it was surreal,” she says. “We put together care kits [for unhoused San Antonians] and wrote letters to the Endeavors team thanking them for their work. It’s so transformative.”

Since Ineke first nominated Endeavors for a Starbucks Neighborhood Grant, Starbucks employees have donated 321 hours and over $10,700 to support the people we serve.

For Ineke, this journey—from a place of panic and uncertainty to one of purpose and hope—feels nothing short of miraculous.

“I want to give as much as I can. It’s odd how the world works and intertwines. Sometimes it’s so coincidental and I’m so glad I get to sleep at night knowing this whole collaboration is happening. Everything Endeavors does is literally life-changing for someone.”

Today, Ineke Collins is a living testament to the power of community, resilience, and the belief that no one should have to navigate their struggles alone. Through her work at Starbucks and her unwavering support for Endeavors, she is giving back and ensuring that others can find the same hope and healing that she did. 

Want to volunteer with Endeavors?

Our programs assist numerous vulnerable populations—whether you’re passionate about helping mothers experiencing homelessness, Veterans recovering from PTSD, or hurricane survivors, we have opportunities for you to help.

About Endeavors 

Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit endeavors.org. 

About Starbucks

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Seattle Washington, Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse chain in the world. With a diverse menu and coveted seasonal offerings, Starbucks offers a signature coffeehouse experience while supporting various internal and external communities through accessibility to education, sustainable harvesting practices, disaster recovery support, global impact grants and more. For more information visit: https://www.starbucks.com/

The post San Antonio Veteran Overcomes PTSD With Endeavors appeared first on Endeavors®.

In today’s fast-paced world, anxiety is an increasingly common struggle that can feel overwhelming. If you’re experiencing anxiety, the good news is:

1. You’re not alone. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates over 30% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. 
2. Anxiety management doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. 

At the Endeavors Wellness Center in San Antonio, we’ve brought a powerhouse lineup of natural wellness services under one roof to make building wellness into your life easier than ever. Led by our Endeavors team and our on-site wellness partners, every service is provided by trained and certified experts who support your journey toward a calmer, more balanced life.

1. Fitness Classes

Exercise is a powerful tool in the fight against anxiety. Physical activity releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood lifters, which can significantly reduce anxiety and improve overall mental health. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that “one vigorous exercise session can help alleviate symptoms for hours, and a regular schedule may significantly reduce them over time.”

At the Endeavors Wellness Center, our fitness classes are designed to suit all levels and interests, from high-energy cardio workouts to more gentle forms of exercise like yoga and functional training. Classes like Everyday Warrior, Zumba, and BoomMind not only help manage anxiety but also build community. (Because, let’s face it, making new friends as an adult is hard!) The camaraderie and support found in group exercise settings can boost your motivation and make your workouts the best part of your day! 

View the class schedule here!

2. Meditation Classes

Meditation is a time-honored practice that has been proven to reduce anxiety and promote emotional health. Our meditation classes teach you to master techniques like mindfulness and deep breathing that will help you calm your mind, reduce stress, and improve focus. 

Find a class. (Membership required)

3. Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. How does Reiki work? This gentle, non-invasive therapy “helps to restore the flow of [the body’s] energy by rebalancing the body’s energy centers, which can help to promote healing and well-being.” 

Reiki sessions are always conducted by our licensed Reiki Master, ensuring you are in the best hands possible. Literally. 

Book A Session (No membership required!)

4. Acupuncture

Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medicine practice, involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to balance the body’s energy flow, or Qi. As acupuncturist Mathew Kulas, MA, RAc, explains, “acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural feel-good hormones and reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol.”

At the Endeavors Wellness Center, the licensed acupuncturists of Alamo Acupuncture provide treatments for anxiety and its physical manifestations, such as tension headaches, insomnia, and digestive issues. The team at Alamo Acupuncture tailors each session to your individual needs because your anxiety is personal to you, and your anxiety treatment should be, too.

Book a session. (No membership required!)

Visit the Endeavors Wellness Center Today

Whether you’re working towards anxiety management or overall wellness, our wellness center offers a powerhouse lineup of natural treatments to help you feel stronger, more relaxed, and ready for anything. 

Ready to get started? Becoming a member or booking a service isn’t just an investment in your health; it’s also a contribution to a larger cause. Every dollar of profit goes back into programs that help veterans, first responders, and their families in San Antonio beat the risk of suicide. So you can feel good, and do good.

Find the best membership for you or visit us in San Antonio and discover how our holistic approach to wellness can help you find peace and balance in your life. 

Are you a veteran or veteran family member? Ask about our free memberships for veterans and their families! 

______________________________________________________________________________

About Endeavors 

Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit www.endeavors.org. Endeavors serves people in crisis with personalized services. For more information, visit endeavors.org.

The post 5 Ways to Naturally Relieve Anxiety in San Antonio appeared first on Endeavors®.

By Kellie Washburn, Corporate Protocol & Events Director

For over thirty years now, I’ve navigated the rollercoaster ride that is military spouse life. The constant relocations, the long separations, and the ever-present challenge of finding meaningful employment have shaped who I am today. Seeing the conversation about military spouse unemployment finally gaining traction feels like a personal and communal victory. 

Did you know that despite 30% of military spouses holding degrees and 15% having advanced degrees, we still face an unemployment rate of 21%? 

This is starkly higher than the national average of 3.9%, and it’s high time we change that.

My career path has been anything but conventional. I started by writing articles for the marketing office at Misawa Air Base during my husband’s first tour. From there, I juggled part-time teaching with the unpaid but invaluable work of raising our children. Each role, whether volunteer or paid, has added a unique layer to my skill set, creating a mosaic of experiences that might not fit the corporate mold but tell the story of a dedicated and skilled professional.

I came up in the working world in a time of immense change: Change around women’s rights and gender roles, change around workplace hiring practices, and even change around what it means to be a military spouse. (Once upon a time we were all expected not to work, and our behavior and participation in military community activities were directly considered in our spouse’s evaluations.) I always wanted to work, to contribute, to make a difference. 

Yes, my husband’s service made fostering my career a challenge – but I learned to leverage the skillset I gained from it. Eventually, I made my way here, as Corporate Protocol and Events Director at Endeavors, Texas’ largest veteran service organization.

I have firsthand experience with the unique challenges and extraordinary strengths that come with being a military spouse in the workforce. Military spouses are a vibrant, skilled, and resilient group, often overlooked in the job market. Today, I want to spotlight the immense potential they offer to the workforce and encourage businesses to recognize and tap into this incredible talent pool.

The Unique Skill Set of Military Spouses

Military spouses bring a wealth of skills and experiences that make them exceptional employees. We dive into new tasks with both feet and adapt quickly. Exposure to diverse cultures has made us adept at building relationships and working collaboratively. This adaptability is a significant asset in today’s fast-paced business world.

1. Resilience and Adaptability

Resilience is one of the most defining characteristics of military spouses. They handle constant change with grace, from adjusting to new communities to navigating deployments and separations. They are the ultimate problem-solvers and often bring a brilliant attitude to a hard day. This resilience translates into a workforce that can weather challenges and remain productive and positive. This ability to juggle multiple responsibilities makes them exceptionally organized and efficient.

2. Diverse Skill Sets and Professional Expertise

Military spouses possess a wide range of skills and expertise. Many have advanced degrees and professional certifications, and they bring experiences from various industries. In addition to 4-year and advanced degrees, 34% of military spouses hold occupational licenses. Many have worked in states across the country, in countries across the world, and in both the military and civilian sectors. Their diverse backgrounds mean they can offer fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to businesses.

3. A Workforce That Understands Teamwork and Leadership

Military spouses often engage in community and volunteer work, leading initiatives and supporting military families. This involvement hones their leadership and teamwork skills, making them valuable team players and potential leaders in any organization. Their experience in managing diverse teams and projects can be directly translated into the corporate environment, where collaboration and leadership are critical for success.

By embracing the talents of military spouses, businesses can cultivate a dynamic and resilient workforce ready to meet future challenges. We have proven our strength, adaptability, and dedication time and time again. Now, it’s time for businesses to recognize and reward these qualities by opening their doors to this exceptional talent pool. Here’s to smashing that unemployment rate! 

About Endeavors

Headquartered in San Antonio, Endeavors is a national service organization that has been assisting vulnerable populations since 1969. Endeavors offers an array of services and programs supporting children, families, Veterans and those struggling with mental illness, disabilities, disasters or emergencies. Endeavors serves people in crisis with personalized services. For more information, visit endeavors.org.

The post 3 Reasons Military Spouses Could Be Your Next Best Hire appeared first on Endeavors®.

Why do people decide to join the military? There are almost as many answers to that question as people serving in uniform: family legacy, service to one’s country, debt-free education, skills training, sharp uniforms, adventure, a paycheck…and many more.

For Glomani Bravo, the reasons were a blend of all these. At seventeen, two pivotal events shaped his path: the fall of the Twin Towers in his hometown of New York City and the realization that he didn’t have to accept the domestic violence he’d endured for years.

From Abuse Survivor to Expert Marksman

As a child, Glomani watched the rushing floods of Hurricane Hugo wash his mother’s body away as she desperately tried to save a drowning neighbor. At just five years old, Glomani found himself orphaned and shipped off from his birthplace in Puerto Rico to New York to live with his aunt — a woman he’d never known, and who ultimately would cause him much pain. After a beautiful childhood in Puerto Rico, Glomani grew up wandering the streets of New York City, sleeping under subway bridges to escape his aunt’s alcohol-induced beatings, and her even more violent attempts on his life.

When the tragedy of 9/11 struck, Glomani saw a way out. The military promised not just an escape from his abusive home but also a chance to honor his brother (a Marine) and serve his country. 

Imagine it: Going to war to escape the violence in your home.

Glomani was not alone in navigating this Catch-22. In fact, in a 2010 telephone survey conducted by the CDC, “43% [men] reported emotional abuse, 34% said alcohol was abused at home, 27% were exposed to domestic violence, 12% had a household member who was incarcerated, and 11% had been touched sexually.”

Joining the Marines became his salvation, transforming him from a terrified teenager into a respected marksman and instructor at the Marksmanship School. He had guaranteed housing, food, and income. He had friends, a mission, a purpose.

Transitioning to Civilian Life After Military Service

After four years of active duty and two deployments to combat zones in Iraq, Glomani transitioned to civilian life with hope. He pursued higher education, earning degrees in Construction Management and Business Administration. His career flourished as he took on roles like Deputy Chief of Staff for the New York City Council and Senior Advisor for Strategic Operations for the Kings County Attorney’s Office.

However, the shadows of his past lingered. Glomani struggled with alcohol and substance abuse, the residual scars of his tumultuous upbringing, and the stresses of combat. His life spiraled into a cycle of mental health challenges, homelessness, and joblessness.

Determined to reclaim his life, Glomani fought his demons and achieved sobriety. He moved to Puerto Rico to be near family, but the journey was far from over. Despite years of sobriety, he faced the harsh reality of finding stable employment and housing in a place with limited veteran services.

The twelve months following separation from active duty can be the most difficult and dangerous for veterans. This period is known as the “transition” to civilian life, and it’s when veterans are statistically most vulnerable to unemployment, housing instability, social isolation, and suicidal thoughts and behavior. (The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that veteran homelessness across the United States increased by 7% from 2022 to 2023.) In Puerto Rico, these risk factors are sadly compounded by the island’s lack of veteran resources compared to stateside resources. 

Like too many of his compatriots, Glomani found himself without anywhere to turn.

Finding Support: Endeavors and the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program

Fortunately, Glomani’s luck was about to change. At a veteran’s hiking event hosted by the Irreverent Warriors at Castillo El Morro, Glomani met an Endeavors representative who told him about the Endeavors’ Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program dedicated to helping veterans like him. The program works to restore the quality of life and dignity of service members through housing, employment, and peer support services. 

With the help of a dedicated Case Manager, Glomani began to rebuild his life. Glomani received a Per Diem Grant from an Endeavors partner and a spot at Casa Del Peregrino, a veteran-focused shelter in Puerto Rico. As a national service organization helping individuals and families beat homelessness since 1969, Endeavors employs the Housing-First Model. At its core, the model is this: Provide a safe, stable place to live…then address the underlying causes of homelessness.

Once he was safely and stably housed, Endeavors helped Glomani tackle his key challenges: unemployment and lack of transportation. They provided job training, new clothes, a haircut stipend, and gas money for job interviews. Armed with these resources, Glomani landed a job as a Program Manager at LIFT, a national manufacturing innovations institute. His qualifications and experience shone through, proving he only needed a chance to succeed.

A New Beginning: Career Success and Stability in Puerto Rico

Glomani signed a lease for a new apartment one month after starting his new job, leaving shelter life behind. Today, Glomani thrives in his job and can truly call Puerto Rico “home.” His story is a powerful testament to resilience and the possibility of a bright future, even in the darkest circumstances.

About Endeavors

Endeavors is a national service organization that has been assisting vulnerable populations since 1969. Endeavors offers an array of services and programs supporting children, families, Veterans and those struggling with mental illness, disabilities, disasters or emergencies. Endeavors serves people in crisis with personalized services. For more information, visit endeavors.org.

About the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program

Endeavors’ Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) seeks to restore the dignity of unhoused Veterans in Puerto Rico through rapid re-housing and job placement. Endeavors Case Managers connect qualifying Veterans with long-term competitive employment and permanent housing to help beat the cycle of homelessness. For more information, visit endeavors.org/puerto-rico-homeless-veteran-reintegration/

The post Puerto Rico Marine Corps Veteran Overcomes Homelessness appeared first on Endeavors®.

On any given day at San Antonio’s Haven for Hope campus offering shelter and services for people experiencing homelessness, you might see Vince Moses talking quietly with a Veteran, sponsoring them on their recovery journey.  

Or you might find him facilitating a group of 40 participants in the Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorder Program provided by Haven’s Center for Healthcare Services.  

On a lunch break, Moses might be catching up on homework for medical billing school, for which he maintains a 4.0 GPA. In the evenings, making extra money at a restaurant. And on the weekends, spending cherished time with his preteen daughter.   

This description reflects a life of professional success and personal fulfillment – but Moses, who once served in the Army Reserves, will be the first to tell you it hasn’t always been this way. For nearly a decade up until 2020, Moses struggled with substance abuse, experienced homelessness for three years, and lost contact with his family, including his daughter.    

“I was an addict,” he says. “I was on drugs, alcohol. Sleeping in abandoned houses, going in dumpsters for food, standing on corners panhandling. Doing anything for the high.” 

The turning point came after Moses had a run-in with the law. Upon release from jail, he was admitted to Jail Outreach, a program at Haven for Hope that included rehabilitation. As he puts it, the choice was either joining Haven and getting sober or going to prison.  

At Haven, Moses addressed his addictions, becoming clean in January 2021. He completed and graduated from both the Intensive Outpatient Program and the Co-Occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorder Program. 

Moses also participated in Next Right Steps, a sober living program that usually takes a year to complete. Moses finished in nine months.  

He got hired at a local restaurant and began setting aside money for housing. It was then that he connected with Endeavors, the San Antonio nonprofit that provides services and support for Veterans. 

With the help of Endeavors’ Navigator Program, Moses moved into his own apartment, using his earnings from the restaurant to further his education and career goals. To that end, he obtained a scholarship for medical billing and coding school and landed a job as a Recovery Facilitator at Haven for Hope’s Center for Healthcare Services – the very same program from which he graduated just a few short years ago.    

“When I was there, I thought people didn’t want to help me,” he remembers. “Then I got to a place of understanding that everything’s a process. Now that I’m on the other side, I see everybody feeling the way I felt. Being able to help them move through that and accept where they are makes me feel better.” 

He also reconnected with his daughter. They now enjoy regular visits, even weeklong stays.  

As Moses views it, going to jail might have been the best thing to happen to him. 

“I believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ. There was a point when I was homeless that I asked God to get me off the streets. When I went to jail, to me that was God answering my prayers. I was put into Haven, then I got into Endeavors, and now I have my own apartment, my own car, my own jobs. Everything has been a 180 from what it was.” 

Meet more Veterans who have broken the cycle of homelessness.

About Endeavors  

Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit endeavors.org. 

The post Change When You Least Expect It: One Veteran’s Odyssey from Homelessness to Hope appeared first on Endeavors®.

When U.S. Army Reserve Veteran Sequoyia Hurt and her husband Daniel found themselves and their children without a roof over their heads after the apartment in which they were living no longer accepted Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers, the family moved into Haven for Hope, a shelter for families in San Antonio.  

Shelter life can be challenging. For a family of six, nearly impossible. But that didn’t dampen Hurt’s spirit, nor slow her resolve to build back their life. Hurt is one of those people who spots the good in anything, who sees the silver lining on a dark cloud.  

“It wasn’t the easiest,” she recalls. “We have four children: a teenager who’s ready to do their own thing and three young children full of energy. I was always making sure the kids were with me, watching them, trying to keep them safe. 

“But I’m really grateful for that time,” she adds. “While we were there, we were able to (access) a lot of resources.” 

Among those resources? Endeavors, a San Antonio-based nonprofit that has been offering a hand up to people experiencing homelessness since 1969. 

Hurt says Endeavors, which also provides support for disaster relief and Veteran services, was crucial to helping her family with the logistics of getting back on their feet. 

Endeavors covered the cost of repairs to the family’s car and then nominated the family for a program where a local auto shop completed the remaining repairs at no cost.  

Logistics aside, Hurt says it was through Endeavors that she also found the hope to move forward.  

Endeavors introduced her to Grace After Fire. The group assists female Veterans in the transition from military to civilian life by providing support and fellowship. Through them, Hurt met other women Veterans at Haven for Hope. 

“It was a time for me to grow and mature and learn new techniques to deal with all that was going on, including past traumas,” she says. “I was able to face life more confidently – even while being homeless and not knowing how I was going to provide for my family.” 

In January 2023,  Endeavors secured housing for Hurt and her family. It was one more step in the chain of support. Since then, Endeavors has linked Hurt with the San Antonio Ready To Work program, and she’s earning certifications in personal training and nutrition via Texas Tech University and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.  

Hurt also enrolled in medical assistant school and is studying for her pharmacy exam. She plans to access GI Bill benefits to study pre-med, to eventually open a center for holistic health and wellness services for under-served populations.  

In the meantime, Hurt maintains her characteristic optimism. And her drive to pay it forward.  

She and her husband started an organization that partners with community groups to identify individuals experiencing homelessness who need basic services, focusing their efforts on those who tend to shy away from service hubs and shelters.  

They also volunteer at clothing, food, and water distributions, and recently joined forces with Angie’s Heart Ministries and Harvest Center for a back-to-school supply and food drive for families in need. 

All of these activities align with Hurt’s ethos of looking on the bright side and lifting others up when you can. Or even sometimes when you can’t. As she puts it:  

“I tell people to trust in God – however that may be for you – find a source of peace and then find a support group. I had my case manager, Brittany, at Endeavors. I could talk to her and she was able to provide resources and information. And she connected me with women who had similar experiences and they helped me work through things. So, find someone — a support group or a person – you can relate to.  

“And remember that you do have a purpose. You are here for a reason. Know that, and never give up.” 

Meet more Veterans who have broken the cycle of homelessness.

About Endeavors  

Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit endeavors.org. 

The post Rising From Homelessness: A Veteran’s Story of Hope appeared first on Endeavors®.

As Vinca Andre Dixon sees it, the path to homelessness is marked by a dozen small forks in the road. Left turns here, right turns there, all leading to a place where once you’ve arrived, you have no idea how you got there.  

“The things that lead to homelessness are things you just don’t pay attention to,” Dixon says. “You overlook certain things you’re doing, or not doing. You shrug off problems. You say, ‘It’s not that serious.’”  

For Dixon, a U.S. Marine Corps Captain honorably discharged in 1986, that first bend in the road was a big one – the deaths of his wife, mother-in-law, and father within eight months of each other. 

“It created a hole inside of me that couldn’t be filled, no medication could medicate, no doctor had a cure,” Dixon recalls. “It was the first time I ever ran into a problem I couldn’t solve. I sank deep into depression and wandered in a fog for 20 years. I didn’t care if the sun came up, I didn’t care about anything. I became homeless.” 

Dixon lived unhoused for four years. During that time he battled depression and substance abuse, and he discovered something life-changing:even though it was the loss of loved ones that spurred two decades of struggle, it was the people who were still alive and still cared about him that inspired his salvation.  

“I made up my mind that I had to do better for them,” Dixon says. “I also realized I couldn’t do it on my own.” 

So Dixon connected with Endeavors – the largest provider of support services for Veterans in the U.S.  Endeavors enrolled Dixon in its program, finding space for him at Heroes Haven, a shared housing complex for Veterans.  

With his outgoing personality, warmth, optimism, and whole-hearted commitment to change, Dixon soon became an integral part of the community.  

So much so that even after Dixon secured his HUD-VASH voucher and moved out of Heroes Haven, the landlord of Heroes Haven hired Dixon as a property manager and tenant liaison, a job he holds to this day. In this role, he uses his experience of hardship and grief to help other Veterans.  

“I always said that if I ever got my head just an inch above water, I was going to tell people exactly how you can better yourself,” Dixon, now four years sober, explains.  

“I can tell someone the exact steps. I’ll say: ‘Look, they’ll direct you to this address, but it’s not that address, it’s actually the building behind it. Catch bus number 88 and transfer to bus number 34. Ride that for 15 minutes until you get to this Valero gas station.’ And so on.”  

Having navigated the road out of homelessness, Dixon bravely returns – not to fall back into old habits, but to light the way for others on the journey, pointing out turns and offering directions. 

“As someone who’s walked the streets, lived under bridges, and camped outside, I understand what they’re going through,” he says. “What really matters is to have somebody they can identify with, knowing that that person laid on the ground just like they did, and then got up off the ground and started doing better.” 

Meet more Veterans who have broken the cycle of homelessness.

About Endeavors  

Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit endeavors.org. 

The post Charting the Course: Captain Dixon’s Mission to Help Veterans Find a Home  appeared first on Endeavors®.

Javier “Javi” Sandoval never goes anywhere without donning his red-and-black Marine Corps hat. 

“I’m proud to have served as a Marine,” he says. “The hat is a symbol of what I did and my service to the Corps.” 

Sandoval’s hat is more than a symbol of his service, though. He says it also connects him to other Marines.  

Now retired, Sandoval joined the Marine Corps in 1984, training as a Dynamic Component Mechanic and as a Crew Chief gunner off Hueys and Cobras in Somalia. He served in the military for 10 years, followed by 23 years working as a San Antonio-based police officer for the North East Independent School District.    

Whether at the grocery store or the gas station, the cap often inspires a hearty “Semper Fi!” or “Oorah!” from fellow servicemembers, a greeting that reminds Sandoval he’s part of a proud band of brothers.  

But he didn’t always feel that way.  

After retiring from the military, and despite his successful law enforcement career, Sandoval was plagued by severe post-traumatic stress from his time in Somalia, accompanied by paralyzing anxiety, nightmares, and sleepless weeks and months.    

He felt alone, disconnected.    

The only way he knew to dull the sharp edge of those tormenting memories was to self-medicate with alcohol, a coping method that eventually got out of hand, he says. Sandoval could no longer maintain a job, nor keep his house.  

He soon found himself homeless, living in his van.  

“My problem was I thought I could fix myself,” he recalls. “I was a proud sergeant in the Marine Corps. I was a proud police officer. And I thought, ‘I can take care of myself. I can fix this.’ Well, no, I couldn’t. The hardest part was to admit that.” 

Sandoval believes that acknowledging the need for help was his turning point, the first step to recovery and reclaiming his life.  

But he credits his brother with that critical next step – access to real support and tangible resources. 

His brother referred him to Endeavors. As the largest provider of support services for Veterans and their families, Endeavors was able to offer Sandoval a path forward.  

His Endeavors case manager enrolled Sandoval in Endeavors’ Veteran Support Services program, which got him off the street and into short-term housing; connected him with mental health counseling, medical assistance, and substance abuse services; and eventually got him set up with a permanent home.  

Sandoval distinctly remembers the day after he moved into his new apartment.  

“All I had was a blanket and a pillow,” he recalls. “Then I got a knock on the door. All this furniture arrived: a sofa, chairs. And it’s all brand-new stuff, the tags were still on! They said Ashley Furniture. I was like, “Wow. Why are they giving this to me?’” 

Sandoval was moved. Inspired. And motivated to continue the momentum.  

He found employment in custodial services at Endeavors, moving up the ranks to custodial lead, and finally to his current role as care coordinator where – in true Marine fashion – he stands on the front lines at Endeavors, meeting Veterans when they first step through the doors.  

“There have been times where we’ve had veterans come in crisis and I’ve been able to take them aside and talk with them. Because I’ve had the experience, I’m able to talk to them until we can get a clinician to take over,” Sandoval says. “I got help from Endeavors and now I want to give it back as many times as I can. It makes me feel good.”  

Today, Sandoval is going on six years sober. He reconnected with his family after years of estrangement. He enjoys his home, a new truck, and perhaps most profound, he finds fulfillment encouraging other Veterans to do the thing it took him years to do – ask for help.  

“The strength is not trying to do it yourself,” Sandoval says, “the strength is to ask for the help. That’s where real strength comes from. And inside of you, you have that strength.” 

Meet more Veterans who have broken the cycle of homelessness.

About Endeavors  

Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit endeavors.org. 

The post Semper Fi: Hope and Recovery for a San Antonio Veteran   appeared first on Endeavors®.

An adventurer at heart, Lee Pennell has visited almost every country in Europe. During his service as a Hawk fire control crewman in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1986, Pennell was stationed in Germany, using that time to explore the continent end to end.  

But life changed – grew smaller and more somber –  after he finished his military service and returned to the states.  

Settling in California, Pennell had two sons – children he adored and would do anything for. In 2004, when the boys were five and eight, their mother’s battle with drug addiction became too much. Pennell and she separated, and he took the boys.  

“My sons and I were living in a one-bedroom apartment,” he recalls. “We were having financial issues and couldn’t pay the bills. We lost our home.” 

Pennell found himself on the streets, no roof over his head and two young children to look after. The family of three lived near a park, and Pennell was desperate to get them into a shelter. But no place had rooms for a single father with children.   

“The shelters had a tough time with us because they didn’t have facilities for single dads,” he says. “I kept trying, though, kept asking. Eventually, a shelter converted an old classroom into a room where we could stay.” 

Through the challenges, Pennell worked to stay positive for his boys.  He got them to school every day, helped with their homework, fed them. He worked with a therapist to learn how to talk about their mother’s addiction with the kids. He joined AA. He went back to college. And his oldest child – an adult daughter who’d been living in Germany – reunited with him.   

In fact, she was the reason Pennell moved to San Antonio in May 2022, so he could live with her and her husband. Because her husband had recently gotten orders for Fort Hood, Pennell knew his housing situation was temporary. The looming question: What next?  

That was when he was introduced to Endeavors from a friend in his AA group.  

With just 10 days to find a new home, Endeavors – a San Antonio-based nonprofit offering services and support to Veterans and their families – got him into an apartment in less than a week.  

Endeavors also assisted in getting Pennell’s car fixed so he could attend his VA appointments and AA meetings.  

And eventually, Endeavors was able to transfer him into the Shallow Subsidy Program, where an increase in VA disability afforded Pennell the chance to purchase a new car and move into a bigger apartment. Now he has the space to welcome his grandkids to his home; they visit every weekend.  

Joining the military at 18, living in Germany, traveling to foreign lands, raising children, overcoming obstacles – it’s clear that Pennell is, and has always been, ready to face the unknown. So what’s the life lesson that resonates with him the most?  

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I’m 63 years old and used to doing everything on my own. Asking for help is tough. But help is there. If you can ask, you’ll find what you need. I’m grateful I did.” 

Meet more Veterans who have broken the cycle of homelessness.

About Endeavors  

Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit endeavors.org. 

The post Finding Home Again: A Veteran’s Story of Overcoming Homelessness    appeared first on Endeavors®.