Theresa finds a lifeline when she needed it most
Theresa marvels at how quickly a life can unravel.
One minute, she was celebrating her daughter’s wedding and preparing for a trip to Nigeria to do faith-based work and conflict resolution. The next minute, she was losing loved ones and the trip – for which she had sold off most of her possessions in preparation – was cancelled in the early days of the pandemic. All of a sudden, she was stuck in a rooming house with an abusive landlord.
Theresa, 71 years old at the time, a Coast Guard veteran and former teacher with two master’s degrees, then experienced a major health issue requiring emergency surgery. It saved her life in more ways than one.
After she was discharged from the hospital, Theresa was connected to VOAMASS’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program and case manager Joyce Reekie. This connection made all the difference.
“Joyce is my angel; I am beyond lucky to have her,” Theresa said. “She has empathy, is a good listener, is spiritually driven, knows how to treat people with dignity and compassion, and is an expert in the system.”
As Theresa was recovering, her landlord moved to evict her. He turned off the electricity, limiting Theresa’s ability to use her medical equipment. Joyce and VOAMASS connected her to Veterans Legal Services, made sure she had temporary shelter, and guided her through the application process for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Administration (VA) Supportive Housing rental assistance program and other VA supports.
Today, Theresa has safe, secure, stable housing in an apartment of her own. She works. She has access to health care and benefits through the VA and is back on her feet.
Theresa still can’t believe how quickly things can fall apart, even when you’re well-educated, and a homeowner. But she is thankful, too, that at her lowest point, Joyce and VOAMASS were there with a lifeline.
