For those who spend a long period of time incarcerated, getting reacquainted with the outside world can be overwhelming. They may not have family or friends to support them, a job to earn money, or a place to live while they start over.
MANA House Saves Veterans’ Lives
For Raymond, an Airforce veteran, having access to a program like MANA (Marines, Army, Navy, Airforce) House saved him from returning to the same habits that would have put him back in prison. MANA House provides transitional housing and case management to veterans experiencing homelessness and helps them find permanent housing.
While Raymond was serving his five-year sentence, prison medical staff were able to get him connected to the Community Resource Referral Center (CRRC), a place for veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness to access services. Once he was released, the CRRC placed him at MANA House.
Staff and Case Managers Who Care
During his time at MANA House, Raymond received assistance with finding employment and permanent housing. He says that being off the streets and having staff and a case manager who cared about him helped him feel human again.
“It was evident on my first day here that the staff were very caring. They’re not here just to put a roof over your head. They actually care about you and are here to help you get back on your feet,” said Raymond.
The unconditional support of his case manager and other staff members, coupled with having access to computers to look for jobs, was instrumental in Raymond’s transition. His time at MANA House allowed him to decompress from being incarcerated and get reacclimated to society.
Building a Life to Be Proud of
Raymond’s investment in himself paid off when he was able to buy a truck and later move into his own apartment. He also landed a job that same day.
But the love and support from MANA House staff didn’t end there. They knew Raymond was moving in with nothing more than a few boxes of clothes. So, they took him to the storage room at MANA House and let him pick out what he needed to be successful.
“The staff here were nothing short of wonderful. When I moved out, they gave me gift cards to Safeway, pots, and pans. Pretty much anything I needed for the apartment, they had,” added Raymond.
Give Back to Veterans
Raymond’s hope is that other veterans will continue to benefit from the services that MANA House provides. He encourages people to donate to such a worthy program.
“You’re helping so many people to get their lives back in order. In no uncertain terms, you’re actually saving our lives,” Raymond says.
If you’re interested in being a beacon of hope to veterans like Raymond, donating online is an easy ways to show your support.
Catholic Charities is committed to helping veterans experiencing homelessness in Central and Northern Arizona. To join the No Longer Homeless campaign and support our Veterans, please contact a member of our Philanthropy Team at 602-650-4820 or email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, please visit our website.
