For Veterans experiencing homelessness, the path back to stability can be difficult to navigate alone. At the Christian Service Center for the Homeless, our Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program helps Veterans and their families secure stable housing while connecting them with case management and resources that support long-term stability.

In 2025 alone, this program helped 144 Veterans and their family members move into safe and stable housing across Central Florida.

One of those Veterans is Eric.

An Army Veteran and licensed nurse, Eric found himself living in his car after a difficult stretch that left him without stable housing. Determined to find a way forward, he visited the VA Medical Center at Lake Baldwin in Orlando, where a social worker referred him to our SSVF program.

Through the program, Eric began working with his case manager, Theasa, to chart a path back to stability. At the time, he was staying at the Coalition for the Homeless while searching for employment and exploring housing options.

Eric knew he wanted to return to the profession he had trained for.

"I'm actually a nurse by trade," he shared. "I still had my license, so I decided to try doing that again."

With guidance and support from the SSVF program, Eric secured an apartment in Altamonte Springs and moved in during the summer of 2025. The program provided temporary rental assistance while he worked toward financial independence, giving him the stability he needed to rebuild.

Over the following months, Eric returned to work in the nursing field and steadily regained his footing. The rental support allowed him to save money and prepare for the next step of fully supporting himself again.

Today, Eric has successfully completed the SSVF program and is paying his own rent while working full time as a nurse in a medical facility.

Looking back, he says the opportunity made all the difference.

"I think the biggest thing for me was just not knowing these resources were available," Eric said. "This program gave me another chance, a fresh start to rebuild."

Because of supporters like you, Veterans in our community are finding stability and the opportunity to move forward again. Thank you for helping ensure that those who served our country have a place to call home.

A milestone worth celebrating. Eric and Theasa after his successful program completion.