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Perhaps you know Zeny Stuart, a truly remarkable young woman who knows first hand what it means to be a veteran suffering from homelessness. This is Zeny's Story in her own words.
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‘Take cover!’ and ‘run to the bunkers!’, were commands I heard during my deployment in Taji, Iraq (’04-’05). While receiving incoming mortar attacks I would question ‘why is this happening?’. In a place where situational awareness was our watchword while donned in protective gear, weapon locked and loaded, I was trained to not only be on the lookout for problems but to react instinctively to any suspected threats in order to preserve and protect myself and those around me.
I survived Iraq, exited the Army and breathed a sigh of relief; I let my guard down. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the housing crisis was on the horizon. A series of events led to becoming a couch-surfer/homeless but the help of private citizens and community organizations kept me from sleeping on the streets.
Landing an apartment of my own a couple years later was exhilarating on one hand but it was the proverbial ‘three steps forward, two steps back’. With no furniture of my own I faced quite a dilemma. I had a roof over my head but nowhere to lay it; and food but no fridge. I had done everything society and my country had asked of me and wasn’t sure why I was going through all this turbulence.
I earned my Bachelor’s Degree, served in the U.S. Army, and was a case worker helping the homeless. As a 37 year-old double minority and former Army Veteran and Missile System Technician, being past my prime and having such a niche background didn’t exactly open doors for me. With very few personal resources available, the Veterans Furniture Center stepped in and saved me. To this day, I’m forever grateful to the Veterans Furniture Center as they not only were of service to me with their donation of furniture and household goods but they expedited my transition back into a productive life of helping the homeless and contributing back to my community as well. The Veterans Furniture Center never dwelled on the ‘why’ of the problem; in true military fashion they simply executed a solution. Since the VFC is all volunteer-run, this ensures the highest amount of each dollar benefits those they serve in this very unique niche. In the end, my faith was renewed in knowing that an organization like the Veterans Furniture Center had my back when I needed someone to ‘cover me while I move!’.
I survived Iraq, exited the Army and breathed a sigh of relief; I let my guard down. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the housing crisis was on the horizon. A series of events led to becoming a couch-surfer/homeless but the help of private citizens and community organizations kept me from sleeping on the streets.
Landing an apartment of my own a couple years later was exhilarating on one hand but it was the proverbial ‘three steps forward, two steps back’. With no furniture of my own I faced quite a dilemma. I had a roof over my head but nowhere to lay it; and food but no fridge. I had done everything society and my country had asked of me and wasn’t sure why I was going through all this turbulence.
I earned my Bachelor’s Degree, served in the U.S. Army, and was a case worker helping the homeless. As a 37 year-old double minority and former Army Veteran and Missile System Technician, being past my prime and having such a niche background didn’t exactly open doors for me. With very few personal resources available, the Veterans Furniture Center stepped in and saved me. To this day, I’m forever grateful to the Veterans Furniture Center as they not only were of service to me with their donation of furniture and household goods but they expedited my transition back into a productive life of helping the homeless and contributing back to my community as well. The Veterans Furniture Center never dwelled on the ‘why’ of the problem; in true military fashion they simply executed a solution. Since the VFC is all volunteer-run, this ensures the highest amount of each dollar benefits those they serve in this very unique niche. In the end, my faith was renewed in knowing that an organization like the Veterans Furniture Center had my back when I needed someone to ‘cover me while I move!’.
You will be happy to hear that today Zeny is doing well. She now is giving back by working as a Veteran Services Coordinnator with Veterans Alliance. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the VFC