Aid John Rodgers: A Veteran's Journey to Stability

My name is John Rodgers. I am a young veteran experiencing homelessness, retired at 24 back in 2010 after my deployment to Iraq OIF 08-10. I never wanted to fill one of these out despite many reasons those who fill these out.... The last 18 months of our lives have been turned upside down, from homelessness to vehicle issues, to almost losing my youngest who is replacing my current service dog, 2nd Chance, who is reaching his end of duty.

We found ourselves (the pups and I) in a homeless situation due to a narcissistic family member after a long-term break up, and was divided by a great distance to anything I was used to, from KY to FL due to better doctors in the VA system as well as my personal diagnosis having better outside providers as well. I have had 2 Veteran Organizations assist us over the last 8 months having no vehicle needing to get to appointments to living out of my jeep until it broke down.

I'm not used to reaching out and I don't even know what to put here other than I am looking to get out of this homeless situation. Repair my jeep which I have dumped multiple months of income and all my savings to repair and still need 1 more expensive repair before I can safely drive it. On top of everything, today is August 2nd and I am in KY holding my father's hand while he ends his last leg of this game called life.

I don't know what to do. Who to turn to, I have no other family, just me and the pups... I hope this finds a place in your heart and mind to help a veteran in dire needs. I appreciate even a read if anything. Just know there are MANY veterans who are in a troubled place and we don't reach out typically because we see all these OTHERS with a hand out who are more than capable of accomplishing their goals and needs on their own. I'm at my last string, hoping this reaches at least that 1 person who understands the struggle of a military fixed income and having extreme circumstances arise more than you could ever imagine.... I have no idea what the number is that will get us out of this situation however I DO KNOW that anything I don't need as a necessity I will 110% be passing it along to the next veteran in any way I can possibly see fit. I used to run a veteran fishing organization and feel as though volunteering and donating my time to those other vets as I possibly can, so even a donation of just 1 dollar will go farther than think.