“I feel a lot calmer about my future”
After a life of serving others, Steve has reached a point where nothing fazes him anymore. His experiences in high school, service in the Air Force, and 24-year career in psychiatric nursing prepared him for a peaceful retirement where he could live life at his own pace.
Steve wasn’t yet eligible for retirement benefits, so he took on simple jobs to meet his basic needs. He never expected a job promotion to threaten his future.
“I was offered a management position at a pizza joint, and I accepted it, not thinking things through. I was a driver, and my income went down drastically because the tips were no longer there. I basically couldn’t afford my apartment anymore.”
Forced to break his lease, Steve watched his savings dwindle. “I felt a touch of panic,” remembers Steve. “A little bit of desperation. But I try to keep myself calm and think things through and find the resources I need.”
With few options, Steve moved into a local shelter for veterans the day before his lease ended. He was grateful to avoid literal homelessness, but shelter life came with challenges. Limited space, security, and food options, alongside sharing a room with two other men, gradually wore on Steve’s sense of independence.
Just as he entered his second year at the shelter, Steve heard a presentation from Homeward Bound’s Veterans Outreach team. They explained the Rapid Rehousing program, and Steve didn’t hesitate to ask for help.
Two years have passed since Homeward Bound moved Steve into his apartment in Swannanoa. His home is quiet, secure, and most importantly, it allowed him to stabilize and officially retire at 62. He says he’s free to volunteer, read, find excuses to go shopping, and go out to the park – “normal stuff that retired people do.”
“Moving into my own place provided a great sense of relief,” shares Steve, who loves Asheville and plans to stay here for the rest of his life. “I won’t have to look for and be desperate to find a place to settle. I feel a lot calmer about my future.”
Steve and his Homeward Bound Case Manager, Brea, both feel that Steve is prepared to exit the program at his estimated discharge date in October.
“That support, just knowing that there’s someone there if things get out of hand, is very comforting. She’s provided me with resources I didn’t know existed.” In turn, Brea says, “Steve is a great advocate for others. He’s always telling me about resources in town and anything he can share to help fellow clients.”
When asked what he’d share with Homeward Bound supporters, Steve says, “Don’t judge. When I see someone on the street, I feel very sympathetic toward them. I know it’s not easy. It can’t be easy. The homeless are easy to make invisible. They’re human beings for goodness’ sake. Everyone has a story…”
Steve revealed that he endured high school and four years in the Air Force as a closeted gay man. The stress of constantly looking over his shoulder and second-guessing himself, and the drugs he used to cope, led to a psychotic episode when he was 17.
“I had to be admitted for that psychosis and spent about two months in the hospital. I had some really, really caring nurses who took care of me. And I decided that’s what I wanted to do eventually – to help people like they helped me.”
