From Heated Hostility to Cool Peace and Quiet

Today’s “Case of the Week” comes from our corporate office in Liberty Township, north of Youngstown, Ohio as told by Teri Ely, Veterans’ Outreach Executive Director.

This veterans’ story has been evolving for several years. He first came to us when he was diagnosed with cancer. He needed help with rent, transportation for medical appointments, and other personal expenses. His treatments went on for quite a while, and he ended up in a nursing home. We saw him many times throughout his journey.

He got well enough to leave the nursing home and was living on the first floor of a house of 2 apartments. A robbery/shooting occurred nearby, and it turned out the perpetrator ran and hid in the second-floor apartment of the same house. The police got a search warrant and proceeded to search the entire house, including this veterans’ apartment. The place was turned upside down and inside out as the police searched for the gun and drugs.

Nothing was found in this veterans apartment, but he couldn’t continue to live there. He got help from our VA Clinic up the street with referrals for veteran-friendly landlords. It all fell into place, except he needed a refrigerator and we were able to help him get it.

Earlier today he walked past my window on his walker after getting off the bus, waved and told me he really needed to tell me something. I visited with him, and he was so peaceful and relaxed, couldn’t stop smiling. He LOVES his new apartment, everything is quiet, safe, and the refrigerator works great!