For most of his life, Roy never thought of himself as a veteran in the way that seemed to matter. He had served during peacetime—just three and a half years—and because he hadn’t seen combat, he believed that disqualified him from any recognition, any support, any sense of belonging. “I didn’t think anyone would care,” he said. “I was in the service, and that was it.”
After moving to Fort Collins, Colorado in 2021, Roy tried to make a new start. But with both physical and mental health struggles mounting, he found himself unable to work, slipping closer and closer to the edge. “I thought I would be living on the streets,” he recalled. “I didn’t even know help existed for someone like me.”
That’s when he heard about VOA Colorado’s Veterans Services. But, at first, Roy was skeptical. Why would they care? What could they really offer?
But he gave it a shot.
That one step opened a door Roy didn’t know existed. At VOA, he met Tom, a staff member who immediately made him feel seen and welcomed. “Tom was so helpful and inviting,” Roy said. “For the first time, someone said, ‘You matter. You served. That means something, and we’re here for you.’”
VOA helped Roy with rent assistance and connected him to additional resources, including the VA. It was through this support that Roy finally realized he qualified for disability benefits—something he never imagined he was entitled to. “That changed everything,” he said. “It gave me stability, confidence, and the sense that I wasn’t invisible anymore. VOA helped me see that I mattered, and that I had the right to build a better life.”
Roy’s experience reflects a broader reality faced by many veterans. Transitioning to civilian life can be fraught with challenges, including feelings of invisibility and uncertainty about available support. Sometimes, even our heroes need support. Sadly, often veterans – the proud men and women who have put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe – return from duty and find themselves on hard times.
Over 33,000 American veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2022, according to a report the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) submitted to Congress. Over 700 of those veterans live in Colorado. Data also tells us that homeless veterans tend to be male (91 percent), single (98 percent) and have a mental and/or physical disability (54 percent).
With the goal to break the cycle of homelessness among Colorado’s veteran population, the Veteran Service Center provides case management services, helps veterans obtaining benefits, and gives emergency financial resources. The Center’s comprehensive approach also includes short-term housing assistance, as well as the Shallow Subsidy program which provides rental assistance for a longer period of time to eligible and enrolled Veterans. The Day Program offers showers, meals, and a quiet place for the many veterans who need a safe place to decompress. The Vet-to-Career program helps with career placement.
Volunteers of America Colorado (VOA) addresses these issues through a comprehensive suite of services tailored for veterans:
- Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): Assists with housing stability and homelessness prevention.
- VOA Colorado’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) helps veterans overcome barriers to employment through job training, education, and career search assistance.
- Female Veteran Program: Offers transitional housing and support for homeless female veterans.
- Veteran Employment Services: Provides job training and placement assistance.
- Veteran Services Center: A centralized hub connecting veterans to various resources, including benefits applications and legal aid .
Through these programs, VOA Colorado empowers veterans like Roy to reclaim their stability and sense of purpose.
Today, Roy is working full-time and rebuilding his life. And by his side is Buddy, a spirited little puppy who happens to be deaf—and who also happens to share Roy’s birthday. “Buddy’s got challenges, just like me,” Roy said. “But we’re figuring it out together. He needs a little extra care. And so do I.”
Their bond is more than companionship. It’s healing. It’s mutual understanding. “We’re helping each other through the hard stuff,” Roy said. “He reminds me every day that there’s still love, still purpose, still light.
“And that’s what VOA does,” he added.
Thanks to VOA Colorado, Roy found a new path—and a friend to walk it with him, one steady step at a time.
If you are a veteran or the family of a veteran in need of assistance, please call the Veterans Crisis Line simply by dialing 988 and pressing 1. You can also text at 838255.