Thursday reflections: The nonstop anxiety of fighting homelessness in Orlando
My mood on this Thursday night is fear. Much like it was last night. And the several nights before. Just wall to wall anxiety these days. The feeling is so strong, that my definition of what could make me happy has shrunk. My once grand dream of being a prosperous,Continue Reading
Unfinished college work is a lost investment for homeless veterans
There was a time when you weren’t considered successful if you didn’t discover your profession through a traditional college experience. Trades were for those who weren’t smart enough to get into a good school. And I subscribed to that philosophy. I wasn’t ready for college and I dropped out. Goodness,Continue Reading
Self Esteem among Homeless Veterans is sometimes never recovered
Can I tell you something about myself? I doubt my abilities every single day. It’s been that way for a few years now since I’ve realized I can’t survive the Orlando housing crisis. That, despite the best intentions of my Orange County Public School Teachers and my military leaders. IContinue Reading
The sad link between Veterans Homelessness and Fatherless Homes
When people ask me who my parents were I’ve always replied “a hard working nurse and Uncle Sam”. This is because I grew up in a fatherless home like so many others in the Orlando area. I like to think I turned out okay. But that can’t be the case.Continue Reading
Many Florida employers don’t want to hire homeless veterans
It’s painful, observing all sides of the spectrum of how our communities treat veterans. On one hand, there are the parades and ceremonies where everyone wants to get involved. Many of our elected officials will grow sharp elbows to be included in the photographs. Big companies are happy to sponsorContinue Reading
The Florida Veterans Homelessness cycle defined
In my past life in politics and public affairs, I sat through plenty of briefings on veterans homelessness. I was always attentive and open. Then it happened to me. As you read these words, I’m struggling to find a stable place to live in the community I grew up in.Continue Reading
Homeless veterans can’t lean on military occupations the way they should
Do you know what my military occupational specialty (or MOS) in the Army was? Human Resources Specialist. Now, as you can imagine, the Human Resources field in the military is a completely different world than the private sector. In the Army, it was records management, ID cards, life insurance. InContinue Reading
The Toll Homelessness takes on the health of our embattled veterans
If you are homeless, you will likely get sick. It’s an additional head shaker on a tragedy for our homeless veterans and one I’m experiencing myself in Orlando. You will lose weight because you’re not eating well. You will experience a weakened immune system because of guarded sleep. You willContinue Reading
The solitude of Veteran’s Homelessness can make one lose hope
It’s ironic. During my time in politics, and during my time as a veteran struggling in the Orlando housing crisis, my point of views have been very different. There has be the public relations angle. Lawmakers patting themselves on the back at press conferences and committee hearings. This isn’t aContinue Reading
For older homeless Vets, trade schools can save futures
When you’re an older struggling veteran, you need to be put in a position where you can begin earning as quickly as possible. As much as we love to hype up holistic services, the only thing that will get you off of the street is money. The best way toContinue Reading