Laural’s Story

In the summer of 2008, the Miller family was about to start on a great adventure. Brian and Laural, with their five children, were going to travel the country in their 24' travel trailer. Brian had been on three tours of Iraq, and they wanted to reconnect and readjust as a family.  Within a month Laural realized that there was something going on with her husband. While he was put in contact with the VA's Reintegration Center, they found themselves not adventurers, but homeless and illegally parked at Alton Baker Park.  

Summer was ending soon, and besides the stress of living with five children, two dogs, and two adults in a travel trailer, Laura had to get her kids in school.   She went to sign her children up for school, but since she didn't have an address she was told to go to First Place Family Center.  Frustrated at having to go to another place she walked into First Place, and for the first time in the weeks since her family's ordeal had started, she was greeted with warmth, understanding, and answers.  

Through the support of First Place’s Overnight Parking Program, the Millers had a legal place to park their travel trailer, they had their kids enrolled in school in time, they were able to do their laundry, take showers, and cook their food – the things that she and most people usually take for granted.  Brian has now been reevaluated by the VA and is currently enrolled at the U of O, and Laural volunteers, takes care of their five kids, and is looking for work.  The family has just been able to purchase a home with a VA backed loan. Laural said, “It is because of the special role First Place plays in helping families when they are in an extremely scary and transitional time in their lives that we were able to land on our feet. Thank you, First Place.”

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