Homeless Veteran Gets A New Start

To start off the New Year, the Cooper Charitable Foundation, working with our partner @oakcitycares, helped secure housing for a 70-year-old veteran who had been living in an encampment in Raleigh for more than 25 years.

This man suffered from PTSD from being shot at in the Vietnam War. He managed to work full time and also ran the encampment, providing food, a place to sleep and a sense of community for others like him. People who know him describe him as someone with a caring heart, someone who looked out for others. He was also known for feeding the feral cats who lived nearby, allowing them to snuggle up with him in his tent to stay warm.

As he moves into his new apartment this Friday, our hearts are filled with joy that we could help him find the stability he needs at this time in his life. We also want to acknowledge and thank the @greenchairproject for working with us to provide the furniture he will need, helping to ensure that he finally has a safe and welcoming space to call home. Sometimes all it takes to set someone on the path to homelessness is an accident, an illness, a job loss or tragic circumstances beyond their control. For 90 percent of those we help, the biggest obstacle to securing stable housing is the move-in fees. With your help, we’ve been able to make a difference in these people’s lives.

Please consider a donation to the Foundation, so we can prevent people from losing their homes. Together, we can all make a difference.