Johnny Bell was one of the 8%* of homeless veterans residing in Thurston County. He was living in his truck and unemployed when he became connected with a Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) case manager, a service offered at Drexel House who helped him achieve his goals of housing, employment, health, and transportation. Today, Johnny is living in his own apartment, working as a Plumber’s Assistant, and is determined to give back to the homeless veteran population.
Johnny credits his transition to stability and health to the services he received from SSVF, a unique program operating at Drexel House and across the region since 2010. Drexel House combines emergency services and case management with transitional and permanent housing. The program connects Veterans to any Veteran service in the county right at their facility. Last month, WA State Department of Veterans Affairs, state officials, local council members, and CCS staff and supporters gathered in Olympia for the groundbreaking of the new Drexel House. The addition to Drexel House – set to open 2017— will offer 16 beds of emergency shelter and 36 units of affordable housing for single, homeless veterans.
You can help us pave the way to long-term stability for the future residents of the new Drexel House. Join us as we work toward this exciting endeavor and show your support for the veterans by customizing a brick that will be put into the new walkway today!
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact us.