“MACV is waiting to help you.” -Housed Army Veteran Andrew

When Army Veteran Andrew was connected to MACV, he was facing a moment of uncertainty.

Andrew lost his most recent job due to budget cuts and layoffs. Without a steady income, the situation escalated quickly. Rent fell behind, and eviction notices began arriving.

Through the VA pain clinic, Andrew was connected to MACV.

Instead of facing the situation alone, he suddenly had someone in his corner.

MACV case managers worked alongside Andrew and his landlord to prevent eviction while identifying a path forward.

For Andrew, at 64, the support meant more than solving an immediate crisis.

“Without MACV, I would have had to rely on family,” he says. “They helped me maintain my independence.”

Andrew served ten years in the Army, with assignments that took him across the United States and overseas to Panama, Korea, Japan, and Germany. He is a proud Army Veteran and showed off a copy of Soldiers Magazine featuring a 1983 photo of him.

“I absolutely loved the Army,” Andrew says.

After leaving the service, Andrew focused on raising his two children as a single father and building a life in the civilian world. Over time, the physical toll of service and aging began to catch up with him. Chronic pain became part of daily life, and he began receiving care through the VA.

Andrew says one of the most important lessons he learned while rebuilding his life was the value of reaching out.

“Research and access every resource available to you,” he says. “Help is out there.”

He also encourages other Veterans not to isolate themselves when things get difficult.

“Any time you feel bad, reach out,” Andrew says. “The VA atrium is a great place to find camaraderie.”

Today, Andrew continues working toward housing that better supports his long-term health needs while maintaining the independence that matters to him.

Looking back, he says the support he received made a difference.

“MACV is an awesome, wonderful organization,” Andrew says. “It fills my heart to know that good people like the people there are out there.”

His message to other Veterans is simple.

“Don’t give up. Life is worth living. And MACV is waiting to help you.”