Providing a Vital Connection
A 64-year-old veteran in rural central Arizona, recently called the Be Connected support line (866-4AZ-VETS) because he was out of food. His rent was increased to a point that left him with little to no money to purchase food since his income is fixed. He could not drive and had gotten to the point that he was trying to catch fish in the stream, but was unsuccessful. Support line staff contacted the local American Legion to make arrangements for a food box to be delivered to the veteran’s home immediately. To address his ongoing needs for nourishment, the Be Connected team made a connection to restart a no-cost home-delivery meal service that is provided by the local senior center. The veteran was ecstatic with the support that he received knowing that his immediate and ongoing needs for meals were taken care of.
A New Place
The Be Connected team has been working with a Marine veteran since March. The veteran lost his job during the pandemic, so he was working as a day laborer and doing construction jobs to make ends meet. Unfortunately, when he injured himself, he had to stop that line of work and was unemployed for almost a year. Limited finances forced the veteran to move to a different place. After saving up, the veteran paid a $2,100 deposit for the new place. It wasn’t until he was moving into the rental home that he realized it was a scam. The scammers had duped numerous other people in the same way…by “renting” them all the same unavailable property. Although the veteran filed a police report and a fraud claim with his bank, he was without the funds to find another place to live. That is when the veteran reached out to Be Connected for financial assistance. Dana was able to make a connection for the veteran to the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services and he qualified for assistance to secure an apartment. In addition, the team was able to connect the veteran to another organization that assisted with hotel fees until the apartment became available. The team was excited to report that the veteran is now settled into his new apartment and was even provided with moving help. If the Be Connected team can assist a service member or veteran you know, pass along our number: 866-4AZ-VETS (866-429-8387).
