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Making a House a Home Again

Making a House a Home Again

John served with the Navy and Coast Guard for a total of ten years during the Vietnam and Post Vietnam eras. He was honorably discharged as an E-7 in the 1980s.

When UWS connected with him via our partnership with Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, John was receiving inpatient mental health care. Concerned with his wellbeing, his out-of-town family reached out to our team for assistance. One of our Spartanburg case managers transported John home after his treatment concluded and conducted a full needs assessment to determine how we could best support him.

It became clear that John’s primary stressors were the critical repairs needed to his home. A long-term plumbing leak was causing damage to the home’s foundation, the electrical work needed to be replaced, and the exterior of the home needed major clean up. Our case manager began coordinating with local businesses to get estimates for the extensive repairs, while our community engagement sought volunteer support to tackle the clean-up project.

Through the rapport built with John through this process, our case manager was able to address his need for ongoing mental health support. He qualified for formal VA mental health counseling through the SSG Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Program; however, John was reluctant to commit to appointments. When he shared with our case manager that he preferred to start with spiritual support, she connected him to pastoral counseling through a local church.

Thanks to funding through the TD Housing for Everyone program and the generosity of Robert’s Plumbing, GWH Electric, Workhorse Moving & Storage, and active-duty sailors from the local Navy unit who volunteered for the clean-up, John’s once nearly unlivable house is a home again. During a recent check-in, John shared with his case manager that he is well, in regular communication with the local pastor, and doing a lot of work in his garden.

We’re so grateful for the partners who collaborated with us to help John regain stability in so many aspects of his life!