The Strength Within

The sacrifice, the struggle, the strength are a few words of the many that describes this war veteran, Andre Hill. He was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill in a small town – the eldest of three.

In March of 1998, the sacrifice began for Hill. He served faithfully three years in the United States Army. With this experience and exposure to the big world came the ability to try and do many new things, both good and bad. But his exposure to crack and alcohol would ultimately change his life forever.

Seeking treatment off and on for many years without success, Hill decided to leave Kentwood, LA in February of 2015 and START a new life. He entered into treatment and discovered that he needed to:

S: Stop making excuses

T: Take inventory of his life

A: Act in faith

R: Refocus his thought process

T: Trust in God

After 90-days of treatment, Hill was released to begin phase II of his recovery to obtain employment and connected with Volunteers of America’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for assistance. Working alongside his case manager, LaKiesha, he obtained stable employment, was counseled on how to save money and was connected with supportive services at the Veterans Administration and in the community that assisted him in reintegrating within the community.

With LaKiesha’s help, Hill applied and received his long-term housing voucher from the VA. With the assistance of Volunteers of America Supportive Services for Veterans and Families Program, he also received assistance with his deposit and other miscellaneous items he needed for his new home.

This veteran had seen and endured the worst, but with the help of Volunteers of America case managers, the VA and other supportive services within the Greater New Orleans community, this soldier has come full circle and has a stable job, his own transportation and permanent housing.

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