Bryan enrolled in St. Vincent de Paul’s SSVF services in November 2019. Officially “Supportive Services for Veteran Families,” the program helps veteran households get into and maintain stable housing. This includes help with the paperwork necessary to access military retirement and medical benefits and referrals to other services.
A Eugene native, Bryan had already completed residential Substance Abuse and PTSD treatment in White City, Oregon. He returned to Lane County with hopes of re-establishing parenting time with his two young children and finding part-time employment.
Bryan shared industrial warehouse space with a friend while waiting for his housing application to process. At his enrollment in SSVF and initial case-management meeting, he expressed the importance of his being close to his children and supporting them in their educational and social activities.
Bryan had an open claim with the VA and worked with a local Veterans Services Officer to obtain disability benefits. He moved into permanent housing in February 2020. A month later he received his award letter, stating his application for VA disability benefits had been accepted. As a result, Bryan will be able to maintain his housing and his focus on becoming a Drug and Alcohol counselor.
Since exiting the SSVF Program, Bryan has been volunteering with the Veteran Treatment Court as a means of giving back to his fellow veterans.