John returned home suffering from PTSD, depression and severe anxiety. 

After spending over a year in Afghanistan, John returned home suffering from PTSD, depression and severe anxiety. Self-medicating with alcohol and other drugs only made things worse. Unable to keep a job, John spent the next four years living in the woods. During that time, he met Allison, who was also struggling with depression and drug addiction. They shared a tent and had to rely on Allison’s little dog to protect them from strangers robbing or attacking them while they were sleeping.

The couple first went to AHOPE in June 2017 and in less than two weeks were connected with Julie Putnam, case worker for Homeward Bound’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). Julie found the couple a small, cheerful apartment and they moved in on August 1st. Over the next several months, both John and Allison worked so hard to achieve the goals they had set for themselves. They were connected to mental health resources and began going to therapy. They both chose to enroll in an outpatient drug treatment program that they traveled to on the bus three days a week. Within a few months, they had graduated to just one day a week, and shortly after they graduated from the program. While in treatment, they were each searching for employment. Although challenging and sometimes discouraging due a lack of recent job history, they both kept trying.  Allison worked diligently on creating a winning resume and ultimately got a job that she loves. John found short-term employment and was soon offered a full-time position as well as a promotion.