Our Reason to Help 

Adrian's Story

I returned home from the U.S. Army with an honorable discharge—then everything fell apart. Helplessness became hopelessness. I lost my way, faced incarceration and homelessness, and battled an addiction that nearly took my life. At my lowest, depression told me there was no way out, and I reached a breaking point I never imagined—ending with 42 stitches across my arm, wrist, and hand. I lived, but I didn’t care whether I did. I wouldn’t wish that place on anyone, and surviving it still speaks to me every day. Those seasons were brutal, but they shaped the man I am.

Because I’ve faced many of the same struggles as the homeless veterans we serve, we do more than help—we connect. We understand the shame, the constant survival mode, and the exhaustion of starting over. That lived experience allows us to meet veterans with genuine empathy and practical insight. Above all, it helps us restore what hardship tries to steal: HOPE. We remind our brothers and sisters-in-arms that change is possible and that they already have the strength to rebuild, just as I continue rebuilding my own life. No matter what pain or hardship a person has endured, what matters most is having the support and courage to rise again, keep moving forward, and pursue a better future.

I ground my work in the “Circle of Courage,” a philosophy rooted in Lakota tradition that calls us to live with BELONGING, INDEPENDENCE, MASTERY, and GENEROSITY. These values guide how we serve, stand with, and advocate for our fellow veterans. And while it isn’t formally part of the Circle of Courage framework, we also believe a relationship with GOD is the beginning of lasting renewal.

Real change takes a team—caseworkers, clinicians, peers, and community partners—and many people have never witnessed this kind of commitment. Our goal is for every veteran to look back someday with the same pride they felt in uniform, knowing they fought their hardest battle and won.

I’m reluctant to put my worst mistakes on display, but I believe sharing them matters—especially for anyone who’s struggling and wondering if change is possible. We want our clients to know that if we made it through, they can too. That belief carried me through the military and helped shape the warrior I became.

I served with pride and performed well as a Soldier, yet I also faced battles I wasn’t prepared for. I’ve stumbled, but a warrior stands back up—protects others—and keeps moving forward, no matter the circumstances. We didn’t serve only those who had it all together; we served people who were hurting, lost, or barely hanging on. That’s why compassion and support matter more than looking flawless. We may carry scars, but we also carry strength—and that strength binds us as brothers and sisters who refuse to stay down.

I’m deeply grateful to God, my wife, my family, my true friends, the VA—especially Dr. Loitman—and my professors, Dr. Malcom Smith at Washburn and KU and Dr. Ashlie Lester at Mizzou. I’m also thankful for Megan Sievers at Welcome Home, a veteran community in Columbia, Missouri; her guidance has meant the world to us. Their support, encouragement, and belief in me made this transformation possible, and they continue to strengthen my resolve to keep moving forward and serve others.

If I can do it, you can do it!

 

“United we stand. Divided we fall. Together, WE can stand tall.” — Chuck D

Proverbs 3:5-6

Philippians 4:13