What Opportunity House Does for Vets

The world had seemingly given up on Scott, a Navy veteran. But with your help, this vet built a new life from scratch: a rewarding job, his own little place, and a meaningful, productive life.

After a normal life and 20 years of full-time employment in warehouse work, I’d lost my job. It was only a matter of time before I was evicted from my place. So I made the trip from Hamburg to Opportunity House. It was sad, but I knew I had to be prepared.

At Opportunity House, I met with a case manager who works with vets. She told me that the Veterans Program could help, and to come back when it was time. Five months later, I did come back — with two bags of clothing and a few personal items. I’d been in the hospital only four days before, and when I was released I had nowhere to go. The program tied me in with Veterans Affairs and services I didn’t know I was entitled to. I got everything I needed — a place to sleep, meals, and eventually permanent housing. A month later, Opportunity House hired me full-time to scan the books it sells online, through its reuse and recycle program. At that time, there were nearly a million books to be scanned!

I lost that job after seven weeks — because I was promoted to manager of online book sales. So, I don’t scan books anymore — I sell them. It’s a perfect job for a reader like me. This place opened up a whole new life for me — a better life. I’m thankful for this place, and for the community support that makes what they do possible.

SUCCESS STORY

Veteran Breathes Easier at Opportunity House

Jim was living in Florida and enjoying the lifestyle that most dream of.  He was a very successful owner of a beach concession selling hot dogs, lemonade, soda, and other treats on the beaches of Wilber by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, Florida.  Life was good and he was enjoying the fruits of his hard […]