Rez is a Veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served his nation for 4 years on the usNimitz, studying {the electrical} commerce – a commerce he knew may safe him well-paying employment. Quickly after receiving his honorable discharge from the service, Rez discovered a job at Stanford College as an electrician. After two years of diligently constructing his financial savings and cautious planning, Rez was capable of get a mortgage from the usDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA) and purchased his own residence in San Jose.
Quickly after, Rez acquired married and began a household. “Life was actually good,” mentioned Rez. However issues quickly modified. Rez and his spouse cut up and Rez turned a single father, elevating his younger son on his personal.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic adopted by a slowing, unsure economic system, Rez was laid off from his job. After months of monetary wrestle, he lastly discovered himself unable to make his mortgage funds and shortly, Rez misplaced his dwelling.
With nowhere left to show, Rez and his son moved to a buddy’s farm and commenced residing in a small RV camper. However Rez wished a protected and steady dwelling setting for his baby. That’s when he referred to as on his assets on the VA for assist.
LifeMoves, headquartered in Menlo Park, is the biggest supplier of homeless shelters and companies in Silicon Valley and is likely one of the beneficiaries of The Almanac’s Vacation Fund. Donations are divided equally amongst this yr’s 10 nonprofit organizations and 100% of the funds raised go on to the recipients. Donations to the Vacation Fund could be made at almanacnews.com/holiday_fund.
Final yr, greater than 7,200 homeless youngsters and adults obtained help by means of Life Transfer’s 26 shelters and applications. One in all these shelters is Haven Household Home in Menlo Park. Right here, 23 unhoused households and as much as 9 veteran households every night time are supplied with interim shelter and supportive companies – all with the objective of serving to households turn into self-sufficient once more.
In April 2022, LifeMoves case supervisor Craig Billman obtained a referral from the VA for Rez and his son. Billman reached out to Rez to rearrange protected, steady shelter, meals, and wraparound companies like childcare and monetary counseling for his household. “I acquired a name from Craig. All the pieces he mentioned was so superb that I believed it was too good to be true, however I believed it was value a shot,” mentioned Rez.
Rez and his son have been referred to Haven Household Home, a transitional housing advanced that gives non-public residences, an on-site meals pantry, a pc middle, training and employment assets, and an environment designed to make households really feel at dwelling.
“When Rez and his son arrived at Haven Household Home, they have been thrilled with what we needed to provide,” mentioned Billman. Rez and his son moved right into a two-bedroom residence with entry to a children’ playground, summer time camp, neighborhood barbecues and different family-friendly actions.
“We got here right here, and I felt like my son and I mattered. Anytime I wanted one thing, Craig responded straight away,” mentioned Rez.
With Craig and Rez each being veterans, that they had a fantastic rapport that was based mostly on mutual respect.
“Rez is an efficient man. His motivation is off the charts,” mentioned Craig. “Rez’s complete precedence in life is ensuring his son is raised proper and protected.”
After working collectively on a case plan, Rez obtained a housing voucher, which has given him some respiratory room to higher help his rising son and discover new employment.
“With assist from LifeMoves, every part is falling again into place, and I’ll have the ability to work again in my subject,” mentioned Rez.
With Rez’s laborious work and dedication, he has reached his objective to turn into absolutely self-sufficient once more and regained his and his son’s stability. Father and son deliberate to maneuver into their new residence in Mountain View simply earlier than the winter holidays – a present that’s priceless.
Are you going through or experiencing homelessness, or want to help the LifeMoves mission to finish homelessness in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties? Go to LifeMoves at lifemoves.org or name 650-685-5880.
