If you are a regular viewer of Connecting Point you are probably familiar with our Veterans Coming Series. Through a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting WGBY worked with local partners to tell the stories of Veterans as they transition back to civilian life.
As one of the producers on this project my assignment was to address the issues of homelessness and employment and share resources with veterans to help them get the services they need. I started at the Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center in Springfield, they operate a transitional house for Veterans. I visited the house one day and talked with Pedro Gonzalez who shared his story of being homeless after transitioning out of the US Army. Before getting the help from the Bilingual outreach Center he was living in his car behind the Springfield Plaza. The Center gave him a room to live in until he could get as job and get back on his feet.
My next stop was at Soldier On in Leeds, a private nonprofit organization committed to ending veteran homelessness. There I met Jack Downey the president and CEO, he and his staff put me in touch with several Veterans who were currently living at Soldier On. I was amazed at the openness these Veterans had, their willingness to share their stories and their desire to help their fellow Vets. Many of these Vets were under the age of 30 but they shared their stories of what life was like as they transitioned out of the military. The stories were tough to hear, stories of alcoholism, drug addiction and homelessness but it some ways I think it helped them to share their experiences with me, knowing that their story may help another Vet in need.
I returned to Soldier On a few weeks later to meet some Veterans from the Women’s Program, they live in a separate cottage on the VA campus. Again they were welcoming and supportive of the project I was working on and were happy to share their stories. I was caught completely off guard however when two of the women told me about the sexual trauma they had endured during their time in the military. I can only imagine what their lives had been like and the fear of sharing that story with people.
I came away from this project with a renewed respect for the men and women who served this country and the sacrifices they made. My hope was that if you watch some of the stories you will too.
https://connectingpoint.nepm.org/2014/11/a-veterans-coming-home-connecting-point-special/
http://wgby.veteranscominghome.org/
As always thanks for watching
