NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — U.S. servicemembers defend our freedom overseas. But some face a different mission when they return home: the search for a safe and stable place to live.
"They've already seen a lot, they've gone through a lot, they've experienced a lot," said Reverend Dr. Marquette Hunter. "And then, to get home and seemingly not have supports any longer, not having the needs to address their situations... they just need a hand up."
Hunter, the pastor of Mountain Moving Faith Church in Newport News, is giving "home" a new meaning for people in need of shelter. He founded the nonprofit H.O.M.E. Living, Inc. in 2009 to help veterans and other at-risk groups in Hampton Roads and the Tri-City area of Richmond.
"The word 'home' is an acronym," Hunter said. "It's 'Helping Others Maintain Efficient' Living."
The group helps veterans understand and utilize their benefits. Hunter said it was an important service to provide after witnessing family members struggle with taking advantage of the resources available to them.
"I come from a line of servicemen and women from all sectors -- the Army, the Air Force, the Marines -- from my great-grandfather to my father and all of my brothers," Hunter said. "I saw the things that, a lot of times, that my father had dealt with, even in trying to get, like I said, the benefit piece of it... I want to be able to be of help to those who really don't understand the process."
But that process can be long and complex. In the meantime, H.O.M.E. Living, Inc. has two rental properties to provide transitional housing services.
"I established and started in Richmond, Virginia," Hunter said. "I actually used my home in Richmond and turned that into a 10-bedroom house to house the unhoused veterans."
A newly acquired Newport News property, Hunter said, is steps away from the city's bus route and will house up to three veterans for 18 to 24 months at a time once renovations are complete.
"Starting here is helping them to be able to build up those social needs that they would need; learning to do money management, job finding, resume building... interviewing, mental health, if that is their case. [It] would all start here in this facility."
There are also opportunities for veterans and other people to become homeowners. The nonprofit assists them with finding and securing affordable, permanent housing. Hunter said homeownership is the American dream, and everyone should have the opportunity to secure a place they can call their own.
"I work with realtors and contractors who also have properties... for those that may not have a great deal of income," Hunter said. "We're willing to take the time to sit down with them, to help them, and walk them through these steps. Whether it be a program for first-time buyers, whether it be financials, money management, we have all of these opportunities for them to learn those things so that they can have ownership."
In addition to housing, H.O.M.E. Living, Inc. offers several other services, including counseling, job and life skills training, personal care services, transportation, and after-school programs for children.
"I want to find out, what is their story, what is it that got you to this place, and how can I help," Hunter said. "We don't know what their issue is. So, we want to be able to address any mental and social issues that they're dealing with to create a whole person, a better person."
He said many veterans made sacrifices to serve our country, and he's honored to support them in building a successful civilian life.
"They are the ones who are on the frontline. They were the ones who extended themselves to make sure that we were safe, to make sure that we were secure. They are the ones that put themselves out in front to make sure that we would have a better way of living," Hunter said. "And I believe without a shadow of a doubt that we should be able to give back to them. And this is the least that we could do. This is our reasonable service."
H.O.M.E. Living, Inc. hopes to one day acquire a multi-use facility large enough to house 100 veterans.
If you can provide any services to support the nonprofit's mission, from home renovation and repair to grant writing, click here for contact information. You can also help by making a donation or signing up to volunteer.
For more information about H.O.M.E. Living, Inc., visit the nonprofit's website or Facebook page. You can also email homelivinginc@gmail.com.