A VA social worker helped a homeless Army Veteran Teress White find a home.
Growing up in the small village of Hopkins Park, Illinois, White considered herself a “country girl.” As a child, when her family members in the Army and Navy shared stories and pictures of koalas from their military travels, she knew she wanted the same adventures for herself. “They are living their lives. I need to do that,” she remembered.
“I’m from the country… this is nothing.”
Just days after graduating high school, White reported to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The 10 weeks were tough, but she was tougher. As she stood next to only a few other female soldiers in her class at graduation, she felt proud of her accomplishment and ready to serve her country.
Her familiarity with operating a tractor came in handy when she became the only female driver in her unit at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; she hauled fuel, ammunition and water.
She laughs, remembering the surprise of her fellow soldiers upon seeing her driving skills. She told them, “I’m from the country, this is nothing.”
While her unit benefited from White’s knowledge and courage, she also benefited from the support they provided. “They become your brothers and your friends,” she said.
“There was no time to be scared.”
A few years into her service, an air suppression explosion occurred in the vehicle White was driving. Her hearing was damaged, as was her eagerness to drive. The explosion was terrifying and she felt a new type of stress every day when she entered her vehicle. “I still have to go to work every day. I have to stick this out. There was no time to be scared,” she said.
Shifting gears after service
When it came time to reenlist, she was still feeling the impact of the explosion, both physically and mentally. Private First Class White shifted gears and began the transition to civilian life.
White had plenty of questions racing through her mind: How would she readjust to family life? What would she do with her downtime? What career would she pursue?
She found part-time jobs and stayed with family while she saved for her own place. However, her family members had full houses and young kids. She began to feel like a burden and soon opted to live out of her car.
“I’m too young to be asking for help.”
Like many Veterans, White was hesitant to ask for help. Veterans she met encouraged her to visit VA and ask what services she qualified for, but she was unsure.
“I was really embarrassed. I was scared,” she said, believing that VA programs were intended for older Veterans. “I’m too young to be asking for help. I had to just put myself out there and be okay to ask questions and reach out.”
White first visited the Kankakee Veterans Assistance Commission to receive household supplies. A representative at the front desk said, “I know somebody who can help. Her name is Gabby.”
The gift of Gab(by)
“Gabby called and, ever since, she’s been here,” White said, smiling and sitting next to her VA social worker, Gabby Marcinowski, at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital. She connected White with a HUD-VASH voucher, which enabled her to find the apartment she lives in today.
“She was such a hard worker every step of the way,” Marcinowski said of White.
Driving down a new path
In the three years she has worked with Marcinowski and VA, White has found stable housing, meaningful employment and the courage to ask for help. She has redefined the meaning of “resilient” for herself. She has discovered that no matter which path she pursues in the future, she is prepared to drive forward. And if the road gets bumpy, she will never be alone. Marcinowski and VA are ready to co-pilot.
Her advice to those who know Veterans making the transition to civilian life? “Be kind. Be patient. It will go a long way,” she said.
Learn about VA programs
- If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk for homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
- Visit the VA Homeless Programs website to learn about housing initiatives and other programs for Veterans exiting homelessness.
- Check out the Ending Veteran Homelessness podcast to learn more about what VA is doing about Veteran homelessness.
- Learn about how to get involved with housing homeless Veterans.
- For more stories like these, subscribe to the Homeless Programs Office newsletter to receive monthly updates about programs and supportive services for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
