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| James at HVAF |
A native of Indianapolis, James moved back home and
after enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1978 where he worked as a nuclear
weapons technician and an electronics technician at the North American Air
Defense Command (NORAD).
Following four years of service, James went on
to receive an engineering degree from ITT Tech in Indianapolis.
After graduating from college, James’ struggles
began. He was employed, but turned to drugs as a source of recreation.
In 1993, due to drug use James became homeless and
began couch-surfing, staying at shelters and abandoned homes. To support his
drug habit, he sold his belongings. He was homeless for ten years. While it may be difficult to comprehend for
those who have never experienced homelessness, James said that reintegrating
was difficult because he actually became accustomed to being homeless.
With limited options, he learned about HVAF
during a visit to the Veterans Affairs benefits office and decided to enter
HVAF’s recovery program in 2002. His journey out
of homelessness was not without set-backs. It took him four years to graduate
from the program because he relapsed.
HVAF’s recovery program helps homeless veterans recover
from substance abuse and drugs and reintegrate into meaningful employment in
the civilian labor force through a variety of services that address the complex
problems they face.
James continued to visit HVAF periodically after
he left the recovery program. It’s where he learned of a job opportunity at
HVAF as Peer Mentor. He was hired in 2012. As Peer
Mentor, James travels to three housing properties: Warman, Manchester, and
Moreau to meet with veterans and their case managers to identify those who are
struggling and in need of a “mentor.”
James also manages two groups which meet weekly. The Vet to Vet group allows veterans the
chance to bond and share their struggles and be supportive of one other.
A Recovery group aimed at focusing on veterans who are dealing with a substance
use disorder is also facilitated by James.
“I am not afraid to be transparent with my own
struggles with addiction and homelessness,” says James. “Having been a former
client and having struggled for so long it impressed upon me this notion that
what I do really matters. HVAF has been a big part
of my life and if I can help one person then everything I went through had a
purpose and value.”
James keeps a busy schedule.
In May 2013, James received an Associate Degree
in Human Services from Ivy Tech.
In June, James received
a “Case Manager Certificate” from the Indianapolis Case Management
Institute (ICMI) which is a 6-month
training program launched by United Way of Central Indiana designed to help case managers serving at-risk individuals who need
services and techniques for self-care to
prevent burnout.
James is also a full-time student at IUPUI and
will receive his BA in Social Work in May 2017.
He is using his journey through homelessness to
inspire others.
