Helping Ryan, a Homeless Marine Veteran, and His Loyal Dog Oreo

Hi, my name is Ryan, and this is my best friend, Oreo. I'm a United States Marine Veteran who honorably served our country from 2006-2010. I joined the Marines after watching the Twin Towers fall in high school, following a long family tradition of military service—my great-grandpa, papa, and dad were all Navy, and my sister served in the Air Force (Rest in Peace).

I was proud to be the first Marine in our family.

Asking for help is never easy, but Oreo and I are in a difficult situation. We recently became homeless and have been sleeping in a car, parked in a friend's driveway, for the past month.

When I first left the service in 2010, I was rated at 0% for several medical conditions.

However, as my housing situation became critical in early May, I reconnected with the VA to explore my benefits. My Veterans Service Officer (VSO) from the VFW has informed me that due to updated regulations, I can now expect a 70-100% disability rating for conditions including mental health, knees, ankles, back, and tinnitus.

I set my intent to file on May 10th, 2025.

The VA has flagged me as homeless, which means they are working to expedite my compensation and disability appointments. I have three appointments scheduled, with the first one next Friday, June 27th, 2025.

The goal is to have all appointments completed and a decision adjudicated within the next six to eight weeks.

I've also spoken with the VA's Homeless Program, but they require proof of income before they can assist with housing.

I've been actively applying for remote job positions and have interviews lined up starting June 20th. I'm highly capable and will do well at any opportunity I can get.

These opportunities could provide the income I need, but I desperately require a quiet space with reliable Wi-Fi to succeed. While the car has been our shelter, it's far from ideal for professional interviews and focused work.

Our Immediate Needs: Short-Term Shelter and Stability

My immediate goal is to secure a short-term rental or hotel for the next 6-8 weeks. This temporary stability will allow me to:

While the VA is working quickly, the 6-8 week timeline for disability adjudication means I need immediate support to bridge this gap.

A hotel that accommodates pets, along with food and phone expenses for this period, will amount to several thousand dollars—money I simply don't have right now.

Your contribution, no matter the size, will directly help Oreo and me get off the streets and into a stable environment where I can secure a job and await my much-needed disability benefits.

It will provide us with the dignity and security we need to get back on our feet.

Thank you for considering supporting a veteran and his loyal companion.

We are incredibly grateful for any help you can provide.

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