“Having My Own Place Means Everything” — Larry’s Story
Larry is a United States Marine Corps Veteran, who served during the Vietnam era from 1968-70. He joined Do Good at our Wy’east shelter before moving to our Barbur Motel Shelter, where he worked with Do Good staff and secured an apartment of his own. Today, he is thriving in permanent housing.
This is his story in his own words.
I’m from a family of brothers who joined the service. I went straight from high school into the Marines.
I was there in ’68. At the time, the Vietnam War was going on…they were drafting. [I figured] “either I go into the Marines and choose the one to go into,,, or they’re going to choose for me.” The Marines was the place I wanted to be, because you get the training. You’re well-trained to go and fight, you know? That’s why I went there.
I got a medical discharge when I got out. I got both bones broken in my right leg in training… a compound fracture.
Discharging from the Marines... it’s somewhat different. It takes a while to try to adjust.
I don’t know how it is today, but back then you were under a lot of stress. They put you through a lot, mentally, so you really need some transitioning when you get out.
At the time, they didn’t have outpatient or any kind of programs for discharge.
I came to Do Good to try to get back and get help transitioning and finding housing. They have been very good. The people who work here at Do Good, they help you…assist you in finding housing.
I was going through all other kinds of things that stagnated me from being able to find housing or even be ready for housing because of my habits out there at the time. I had a drug habit, which was a problem and is no longer a problem. I initiated getting rid of it, and that’s how I’m able to do the things I’m doing.
Without the staff here’s help, I wouldn’t be able to do this... stay straight and clean. [But] they was there for me. Sending me to the places I need to go if I needed help – somebody was there.
I’ve come a long way with these guys. They’ve been a big help to me. But you’ve gotta want it. It’s something you have to work after, you know?
I had to put some effort in trying to do it all, in finding housing and a place to lay my head and to get out of the cold. Which I have. I’m happy.
There’s a lot of homeless people out there and not enough of these shelters. It really helps to have these programs. It gives you just a little more incentive to really get your life together.
It’s great working with a case manager. She would tell me I have appointments on these days and I would just have to make sure I would make those appointments if you want to get it done. You can’t neglect not doing it. If you want to work with them, they’ll help you find what you need. Whether it’s a job or a doctor or food...they’re here to help you. But you gotta want [it]
I had to put the work in. I had to go into the field. They would tell me the places I needed to go and people to see, and I’d go there.
Do Good is a good program. I wish they had many of these programs all over.
You need the case management. You couldn’t just do it on your own. You need a case manager to help you and to assist you to get into these places you need to go. There’s a lot of things you would need...paperwork I would need and wouldn’t be able to do on my own.
Having them helped A LOT to get me in that door.
We kept it up. Kept doing it until we finally got some positive leads to get in somewhere. It finally happened. The [new] manager is very nice; very sweet and good to me. It’s been working out real good.
Couldn’t have done it without Do Good, though. I just couldn’t have done it, and it’s been working great. It’s good. It’s the thought, “Man, you really in your own place now…You can take care of yourself now.”
I’ve been in my place about a month now. It’s beautiful. I have a yard. I’m going to have a big garden. Beautiful scenery and a patio. Now I can actually sit on my back porch with fresh air and fix me some food the way I want it prepared in the mornings. All kinds of fruit trees out back. It’s a beautiful place. It’s just beautiful there.
Having my own place means everything. That I can be responsible. I can take care of myself and I’m ready to take care of myself.
Everyone should have that. To say “This is my place.” It has meant a great deal to me to be able to say that I actually accomplished having my own place and being able to manage it and keep it up.
It means a lot. It’s a good feeling.
I’ve come a long way now. I was real deep in depression. Feeling alone and isolated. Now, here, we’re kind of like a family, because you stay here with these guys. The community makes a big difference... you put yourself out there to see who you really are. “This is me rather than somebody fake.” I just try to be positive. Keep positive. Take care of myself. I don’t have time for negativity and drama.
