‘Surrounded by people who care’: How this U.S. Army Veteran rebuilt his life

After dedicating much of his life to helping others, Veterans Community Project resident Fred came to a moment when he needed help himself

When Fred arrived as one of the first residents at Veterans Community Project of St. Louis in October 2023, he needed a safe place to live and sought a renewed sense of purpose.

There, he found both.

Before moving in, the U.S. Army Veteran had faced homelessness after decades of military service, academic achievement, global volunteerism, and personal adversity—including a stroke while overseas during the pandemic.

But inside his 240-square-foot home and as part of the community of VCP of St. Louis, he found space to regroup. Now a year and a half later as he moves into his own sustainable permanent housing, his story is a testament to resilience, reflection, and the life-changing impact of dignified transitional care.

Fred served in the Army as a Field Medic and Field Wireman, inspired by a relative who earned a Bronze Star. The military gave him structure, discipline, and a lifelong love for physical training. But like many Veterans, he had a challenging time transitioning to civilian life—including a difficult chapter that included prison. He focused on rebuilding, however, and completed an associate’s degree and a certificate in horticulture while incarcerated. Later, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in political science using the GI Bill.

His career that followed took him across the globe. Fred taught high school dropouts in St. Louis, worked in child welfare in Oregon, and eventually began a long chapter of volunteer work across Africa—in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, The Gambia, Uganda, and Zambia—teaching basic computer skills, education, and reintegration support. His work was rooted in Pan-African ideals and influenced by leaders like Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. It was, in many ways, a life lived in service to others.

Then the pandemic hit. Fred’s health declined, and after suffering a stroke, he was evacuated from Uganda and brought back to the U.S. He was treated at John Cochran VA Hospital in St. Louis and—then finding himself without a home in the country he took an oath to serve—was eventually connected to VCP.

What Fred found at VCP was more than a temporary home. It was a secure and stable space where he could work on his health, recover his focus, and be a part of a community. “The direction and structure the staff gave me was essential,” Fred shared. “This tiny home helped me get myself together.” He appreciated the solitude the space offered, allowing him to look inward and create a detailed plan for his next steps. For Fred, the VCP model isn’t just personally effective—he knows it truly has the potential to fix Veteran homelessness.

Fred formed strong bonds with VCP staff and fellow residents, describing his interactions as motivational and healing. “The staff went beyond their job descriptions—they listened, they cared, and they helped me believe I could still contribute,” he said. The physical environment of the Village—clean, maintained, and safe—also had a profound effect. It reminded him that he deserved stability and inspired him to keep striving.

His goals while at VCP were clear: transition into permanent housing, continue his physical recovery, and prepare to reengage with the world through education and mentorship. Fred says the ability to read, rest, and reorient in a safe space was essential to rebuilding his mental and emotional strength.

To those who consider supporting Veterans Community Project, Fred is direct: “This model is a game-changer. It’s effective, dignified, and it works. It has the potential to reduce Veteran homelessness in a real, sustainable way.”

And to the next Veteran who moves into the home he’s just left behind, Fred offers this: “Take advantage of the solitude. Use it to reflect on how you got here, and where you want to go. This home can help you get your life together if you let it. Make a plan. You’re surrounded by people who care and want to see you succeed.”

Fred’s next chapter includes continued reading to strengthen his mind, physical rehabilitation, and a dream to one day return to Africa. He hopes to serve again—this time as an educator and advocate, sharing the lessons he’s learned with others who may be searching for purpose.

From the military to the classroom, from Africa to St. Louis, and from homelessness to home, Fred’s journey reminds us that with the right support, healing and hope are always within reach.

It’s your support that makes success stories like Fred’s possible. Today, will you help open the door for the next Veteran? Thank you for being a part of this mission.