21 June 2011

Ken*, a long-time Navy veteran, never thought he'd be homeless - or that he'd ever have to ask anyone for help. But after he lost his job a few years ago, Ken quickly ran out of options. At 52, he had trouble getting potential employers to consider him, and he ultimately spent through his savings and then lost his home while trying to find work.

After that, Ken stayed at a number of different homeless shelters while he continued to look for work. The crowded conditions and daily uncertainty took a toll on his health, and he found it difficult to look presentable for interviews while moving from shelter to shelter each day. Then Ken found help from the Levy. He visited the King County Veteran's Program (KCVP) one day, hoping the staff there could help him find a shelter space.

The KCVP staff found Ken a spot at the Salvation Army's William Booth Center's Transitional Housing Program, where he could stay in his own private room for up to six months. Next, the William Booth Center staff engaged Ken in case management to help him assess his strengths and approach his job search more thoughtfully.

With this support and the stability of a place to call home, Ken found a job. Once he felt secure in the new job, the staff helped him find an apartment of his own. Today, Ken is back on his feet. He has a job and a home, and is confident about his future.

Ken's story is featured in the recently published 2010 Annual Report for King County Veterans and Human Services Levy. For the link to the King County webiste, including an electronic copy of the annual report, click here.

*Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality.