Upstate Warrior Solutions: Heidi’s Story
Recognized
In 2020, life was hard. Living in her car after a difficult divorce and diagnosed with severe PTSD, Heidi was unsure where to go for help.
“I was afraid to reach out or let anyone know that I was experiencing homelessness for fear of losing my kids,” explains Heidi. “A Marine veteran friend dropped me off one day on the steps of Upstate Warrior Solution (UWS). Neither of us knew anything about the organization, but had heard they help veterans.” Due to the fear of being separated from her kids in the back of her mind, Heidi only inquired about assistance with college enrollment.
To save what little money she had to buy food for her children, Heidi often skipped meals and went without anything to eat. “I believe the case worker noticed my frail frame and offered me a granola bar and drink,” Heidi says. “The case worker then connected me with VA services that I didn’t even know I qualified for.”
The VA connected Heidi with HUD/VASH (HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing), resulting in moving her family into a duplex. Not long after settling into her new place, a family advocate, Virginia, connected Heidi with food resources and a Christmas assistance program providing Christmas gifts for children.
Next, The UWS assisted Heidi with creating and submitting resumes. She soon landed a job with a pharmaceutical company and quickly became the top salesperson. This was the turning point for Heidi financially. It was incredibly rewarding, especially given the mental and financial abuse she experienced in her marriage prior to divorce. Motivated to move into a new home in a safer area, Heidi found an apartment in a gated community, where she has lived since.
The pharmaceutical company was a great job, but after a couple of years of successful work and finishing a degree in Psychology, Heidi was ready for a career change and wanted to do something that helped others.
She returned to the UWS and submitted her resume again with an interest in finding a job that allowed her to fulfill her passion to help others. She interviewed to become a program manager at the UWS and landed the job!
“I have been working here for over a year. Next week I start the home buying process. UWS helped me to go from homelessness to home ownership,” Heidi explains.
The UWS is one of many organizations working with The Greenville Homeless Alliance (GHA) to end homelessness. The organization specifically serves veterans helping them find employment and temporary housing until they regain their independence and can find a permanent housing solution.