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Saltwater once clung to her boots; now the scent of clean ingredients lingers on her hands. The journey doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. The sense of duty, camaraderie, and desire to serve stays with her long after military life is over. For Shea La Sage, over 20 years in the Coast Guard built a strong sense of responsibility that still shapes who she is. Starting Semper Suds wasn’t just about launching a business; it became her new way of serving.  

  

Anchored in Service 

Shea served 21.5 years in the Coast Guard, including nine years enforcing maritime law at sea. Later, she was assigned to a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), where her daily work was characterized by responsibility, silence, and strict adherence to secrecy. 

Military service often brings hidden burdens. For Shea, those burdens became especially real after she left the military. Those experiences showed her the darker sides of humanity and left her with mental, emotional, and physical strain that built over time. The weight stayed with her long after she took off the uniform. 

Even in the heaviness, there was resilience. The same strength that carried her through long nights and high-stakes missions also gave her the courage to heal. While the weight did not disappear overnight, it has begun to shift. Reminders that the darkness still linger, but that will not define the next chapter. 

 

Finding Support and Healing 

After years of carrying the burdens of service, she knew that she needed something different—something that could bring her peace. That shift began with the support of her husband, Timothy La Sage, a US Marine Corps First Sergeant, and their loyal dogs, Bane and Gideon.  

Tim understood the weight that she carried in a way that few others could. Having served himself, he recognized the quiet strain that lingers after the uniform comes off. They shared experiences in the military that created a bond that was built on mutual respect, resilience, and faith. They spoke the same language of service, sacrifice, and commitment. In the moment when Shea was overwhelmed, Tim offers not only encouragement but understanding.  

Bane and Gideon brought a different kind of healing. Their loyalty was simple and constant. The long walks, getting up when they needed to go out outside, and the comfort of a dog lying at her feet were small but a reminder that peace could exist in the simple moments.  

Her healing began at home, long before she realized it. When Bane started struggling with allergies, her instinct to care for him deepened her commitment to creating a healthier environment. She began looking more closely at the ingredients in the products she used on Bane, on herself, and in her home. That is how Semper Suds was created. When it began as a search for answers, it led her to an unexpected place: soapmaking.

 

The Birth of Semper Suds 

When she started creating a solution for Bane, it gradually evolved into a business idea. She discovered that soapmaking brought her a sense of calm and creativity, it became a form of therapy. Shea also learned valuable skills as she built her business, including patience, math, time management, and planning. 

“There’s math involved. There’s time involved,” she says. “It takes planning.” 

She learned that providing good service requires resilience. Mistakes can happen, and batches of soap do not always turn out perfectly. She embraced the belief that mistakes are part of the process, knowing the product would still be used and valued.  

The name Semper Suds references both her Coast Guard service and her husband’s Marine Corps service. For the Marine, it nods to the “Semper Fi” motto (Always Faithful) and the Coast Guard “Semper Paratus” motto (Always Ready) that shaped their lives and continues to guide them. 

Through Semper Suds, she continues to live a life of service. She is now offering soaps for human and pet use.  Each bar of soap is formulated with carefully quality-selected ingredients. For pets like Bane, she wants the ingredients chosen with sensitivity in mind.  As she put it, making soap “brings her happiness in the shower.” Each bar is created with the same sense of care, integrity, and commitment that defined her military career. 

 

Giving Back to the Veteran Community 

Service has always remained the heart of Semper Suds and Shea’s life. As she continues to grow her business, she wants to support the veteran community.  She started to donate 10 percent of every purchase to carefully vetted veteran nonprofits as a way to give back. Some of these organizations supported her and her family after leaving the military, including Fisher House Foundation, Sierra Delta, and Pin-Ups for Vets. 

Some of the organizations were there for her family and her furry family during the transition to civilian life. Others helped her reconnect with herself after military service.  

“We appreciate them,” Shea says. “We want to take care of them.” 

As a woman veteran and business owner, Shea’s journey reflects a form of leadership that is both strong and deeply empathetic. Her story highlights the resilience of women who serve, the strength they carry, and the many ways their leadership continues long after their military service ends. 

What if more veterans saw their next chapter not as an ending, but as an evolution? Shea’s story shows that healing can begin with something simple as an act of love to care for someone. She began with her love for Bane. From that love grew a new chapter, becoming a business owner.  

To the veterans reading this, your story is not over. The skills you built, the strength you carry, and the resilience you earned still matter. Follow the things that bring you to your peace. Invest in the relationships that steady you. When you leave the military it might feel like your last, but your next chapter can be rooted in service, purpose, and impact. 

If Shea’s story inspired you, you can support her veteran-owned business by trying Semper Suds. To purchase soaps for you or your pet, message her on Facebook, Instagram, or email sempersudsduo@gmail.com. Semper Suds products are also available locally at Pine Hill Farm, The Herbal Key Apothecary, and Bella Vici Hair Studio in Wisconsin.  

When people think of homelessness, they imagine someone sleeping outside. What they rarely picture is a veteran, his spouse, and nine children living inside an abandoned house—because that was the only option left. 

Mr. Navy, a U.S. Navy veteran, and his family were unhoused—under a roof without permission. 

They weren’t careless.
They weren’t avoiding help.
They had a seven-bedroom Cook County housing voucher in hand. 

What they didn’t have was a housing market willing to work with a family that large. 

Surviving Inside an Abandoned Home 

The house in Chicago Heights had no running water. A hose was used for basic needs. There was a hole in the kitchen floor so large you could see straight into the basement. 

Nine children under the age of 18 lived there. 

From the outside, it looked like shelter. From the inside, it was constant risk—health, safety, and fear of being discovered and displaced overnight. 

This is what happens when families fall into the gap between policy and reality. 

The Myth of “Having a Voucher” 

On paper, Mr. Navy’s family was housed-ready. In practice, landlords wouldn’t touch the voucher. Seven-bedroom units are rare. Owners don’t want inspections, perceived risk, or large families. 

So the system quietly forces families to improvise—and then judges them for it. 

This family didn’t need more paperwork.
They needed a housing strategy. 

Strategy Is What Changed Everything 

I worked with an investor who was actively rehabbing a seven-bedroom single-family home—a property built for a family this size. The rehab was aligned with the voucher requirements. The inspection passed. The numbers worked. 

For the first time in a long time, the family moved into housing with permission. 

That shift—legal, stable housing—changed everything. 

From Stabilization to Ownership 

Once housed, Mr. Navy could finally focus on rebuilding—not surviving. Over time, he stabilized income, rebuilt credit, and re-entered the system on different footing. 

Years later, he was approved for a VA home loan and purchased a single-family home using the benefit he earned through his service. 

This didn’t happen overnight.
It happened because housing came first. 

Why This Story Matters 

Unhoused veterans are often invisible because they don’t fit the stereotype. Families like Mr. Navy’s are labeled “hard to house” when the truth is simpler: the system is not designed to meet them where they are. 

Housing isn’t just shelter.
It’s the platform that makes everything else possible. 

And when we get the strategy right, veterans don’t just survive—they move forward. 

 

To learn more about Mission Roll Call’s work uplifting veteran voices and advancing effective housing solutions, visit our Homelessness page:
https://missionrollcall.org/spotlight-priorities/housing-and-homelessness/ 

Mission Roll Call is committed to listening first. If you are a veteran, family member, caregiver, or community partner, we invite you to share your story with us. Your experiences guide our advocacy and help us push for the changes veterans say matter most. 

Your voice matters here. We encourage veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters to share their experiences through Mission Roll Call’s national surveys. Your stories help shape policy, raise awareness, and ensure veterans are seen and heard:
https://missionrollcall.org/veteran-voices-survey/

Understanding the truth brings us one step closer to ensuring every veteran has what they deserve: stability, dignity, and a place to call home. 

  

 

Women are one of the fastest growing segments of the veteran population. As their numbers increase, so does the responsibility to ensure their care reflects their service, their leadership, and their lived experiences. 

Whole-of-life care provides a framework for meeting this responsibility. It recognizes women veterans not only as former service members, but as individuals whose physical health, mental wellness, family responsibilities, careers, and community connections are deeply interconnected. Below are nine priorities that can help strengthen comprehensive care for women veterans.

1.  Expand Access to Gender-Specific Health Care

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded women’s health services in recent years, including comprehensive primary care delivered by designated women’s health providers. 

Women veterans require access to: 

Comprehensive care begins with ensuring these services are accessible, coordinated, and delivered with expertise.

2. Deliver Trauma-Informed Mental Health Support

Research consistently shows that women veterans experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and military sexual trauma compared to male peers. 

Trauma-informed care must include: 

Veterans in crisis can contact the Veterans Crisis Line for immediate support. Expanding awareness of crisis resources is a critical component of whole-of-life care.

3. Address the Realities of Caregiving Responsibilities

Women veterans are more likely to serve as primary caregivers for children or aging parents. This affects their ability to attend appointments and prioritize their own health. 

Health systems and community providers should prioritize: 

Care models must reflect the full context of women veterans’ lives.

4. Integrate Physical, Mental, and Social Support Systems

Whole-of-life care recognizes that medical treatment alone is not enough. 

A woman veteran managing chronic pain may also be navigating post-traumatic stress, career transition, or single parenthood. Coordinated care that connects primary care providers, mental health professionals, peer networks, and employment support can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Integration strengthens stability.

5. Strengthen Navigation Support Within the VA

VA Women Veterans Program managers, located at VA medical centers nationwide, help women veterans navigate services, access gender-specific care, and connect to appropriate resources. Navigation support reduces confusion and helps ensure veterans receive timely, coordinated care.

6. Support Community-Based Programs Focused on Women Veterans

Community organizations play a critical role in closing gaps and strengthening stability. 

7. Build a Culture of Recognition and Respect

Many women veterans report feeling invisible in veteran spaces. Some have been mistaken for spouses rather than recognized for their own service. Whole-of-life care includes cultural competence. Providers and community leaders must understand the experiences of women in uniform, including combat service and leadership roles. Representation in clinical settings, veteran organizations, and leadership positions fosters trust and belonging.

8. Use Data to Close Gaps in Care

Improving outcomes requires collecting and analyzing gender-specific data. Evidence-based policy decisions help identify disparities, allocate resources effectively, and ensure equitable access to high-quality care. Accountability strengthens trust.

9. Elevate the Voices of Women Veterans

Mission Roll Call is committed to ensuring that women veterans are heard in policy discussions that affect their health and well-being. Listening to lived experience is essential to identify gaps and drive reform. Advocacy grounded in data and real stories leads to meaningful change. 

The Path Forward 

As the veteran population evolves, our systems must evolve with it. Women veterans deserve coordinated, comprehensive care that reflects their service and addresses their unique needs. 

By strengthening medical services, expanding mental health support, improving navigation, investing in community partnerships, and advancing evidence-based policy, we can build a system that truly supports whole-of-life care. 

If you are a woman veteran, or if you support one, now is the time to engage. Explore available resources. Share your story. Participate in surveys. Advocate for policies that expand access to comprehensive care. 

Homelessness does not always look the way people expect it to. Sometimes it looks like a storage facility after hours. Sometimes it looks like a veteran quietly calculating how to survive without being seen—without asking for help until there is nowhere else to turn. 

This is the story of a Coast Guard veteran I’ll call Mr. Coast Guard Veteran. 

For nearly a year—11 long months—he lived inside a U-Haul storage facility. Not on the street. Not in a shelter. But also not with permission. Every night carried the same risk: discovery, removal, and starting over again with nowhere to go. He was in transition—a term we use far too casually, and often misunderstand. 

What “In Transition” Really Means 

Being “in transition” does not mean safe. It does not mean stable. It does not mean housed. 

“In transition” can mean living under a permanent roof without permission. It can mean staying somewhere temporarily while your access is expiring. It can mean running out of money, being in conflict with the loved one who is providing housing, or waiting as the home you’re in is sold out from under you. It often means relying on government programs whose timelines don’t match real life. 

For this Coast Guard veteran, transition meant sleeping in a U-Haul facility—hidden, vulnerable, and one knock away from complete displacement. 

He is also a wheelchair user. 

That matters. Because when systems fail, they fail faster—and harder—for veterans with disabilities. 

The Help That Should Have Come First 

Homelessness rarely begins with a single bad decision. It usually begins with a missed moment. 

Before he lost housing, this veteran needed early intervention: rental assistance before funds ran out, housing navigation before relationships fractured, and a voucher before survival replaced stability. The programs existed. The timing did not. Like too many veterans, the help arrived only after the fall. 

By the time I met him, he had already been surviving outside the system. 

As a Realtor, I don’t “place” homeless veterans. I house them. Because housing homeless veterans is real estate. We move people—by educating landlords, navigating voucher stigma, and executing housing strategy in a market that often says no before it understands the problem. 

Housing Is Strategy, Not Charity 

The solution for Mr. Coast Guard Veteran was HUD-VASH—the HUD-VA Supportive Housing voucher program. HUD-VASH is not a handout. It is a proven housing strategy when it is paired with execution, accountability, and access to real inventory. 

Using that voucher, we secured a two-bedroom, two-bath condo in downtown Chicago overlooking Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. A building with a doorman. A permanent home. 

That move—from a U-Haul facility to a condo on the lakefront—was not luck. 

It was policy, paired with action. 

What Happens When Veterans Are Properly Housed 

This is the part of the story we don’t tell often enough: what happens after housing. 

Once housed, this veteran didn’t just survive—he stabilized. And from stability came progress. 

He went on to compete year after year in the Veterans Valor Games—Paralympic-style adaptive sports competitions for wounded, injured, and ill veterans. From cycling and rowing to archery and powerlifting, events like the Midwest Games hosted by the Chicago Park District are about more than athletics. They are about identity, connection, and reclaiming purpose. 

Housing created the conditions that made all of that possible. 

You cannot train, compete, or heal while wondering where you’ll sleep next. 

The Bigger Picture 

Veteran homelessness is often treated as a visible crisis, when in reality it begins during invisible transitions. 

It begins while someone is still indoors. When money runs out. When a lease ends. When a home is sold. When a program is delayed. When no one steps in before instability becomes displacement. 

If we are serious about ending veteran homelessness, we must stop waiting for veterans to reach rock bottom before we respond. 

Call to Action 

Mr. Coast Guard Veteran’s story could have ended very differently. Instead, it shows what is possible when housing is treated as strategy, not sympathy. 

 

To learn more about Mission Roll Call’s work uplifting veteran voices and advancing effective housing solutions, visit our Homelessness page: https://missionrollcall.org/spotlight-priorities/housing-and-homelessness/ 

Mission Roll Call is committed to listening first. If you are a veteran, family member, caregiver, or community partner, we invite you to share your story with us. Your experiences guide our advocacy and help us push for the changes veterans say matter most. 

Your voice matters here. We encourage veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters to share their experiences through Mission Roll Call’s national surveys. Your stories help shape policy, raise awareness, and ensure veterans are seen and heard: https://missionrollcall.org/veteran-voices-survey/

Understanding the truth brings us one step closer to ensuring every veteran has what they deserve: stability, dignity, and a place to call home. 

  

 

 

For many veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs is the first place they turn for health care, benefits, and support. The VA plays a vital role in delivering specialized services tailored to those who have served our country. At the same time, whole-of-life care often extends beyond a single system. 

Across the nation, community clinics, nonprofit organizations, telehealth providers, and peer networks are helping expand access to care. When these resources work alongside the VA, veterans gain more options, improved access, and support that addresses every dimension of life. 

Here are 10 ways community resources strengthen whole-of-life care for veterans. 

1. Community Health Clinics Increase Local Access to Care

The Health Resources and Services Administration supports Federally Qualified Health Centers across the country that provide care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. These clinics often offer primary care, dental services, and behavioral health support. For veterans living in rural areas or far from a VA facility, local clinics can reduce travel time and improve consistency of care. 

2. The VA Community Care Network Expands Provider Options

Through the VA Community Care Network, eligible veterans may receive care from approved local providers when certain criteria are met. This program can help reduce wait times and bring services closer to home, strengthening coordination between VA and community providers. 

3. Telehealth Improves Continuity of Care

Telehealth has transformed access to health services. Virtual appointments can reduce transportation barriers, improve scheduling flexibility, and support ongoing engagement with providers. Veterans balancing work, family responsibilities, or mobility challenges often benefit from the added convenience of remote care. 

4. Digital Mental Health Services Offer Privacy and Flexibility

For many veterans, particularly women veterans, accessing mental health care from home can feel more comfortable. Telehealth can support those seeking care related to trauma, military sexual trauma, or anxiety tied to clinical environments. Greater privacy and flexibility encourage more veterans to take the first step toward care. 

5. Prescription Assistance Programs Support Affordability

MyRxAccessPlus helps individuals navigate prescription savings programs and identify pharmacy resources that reduce out-of-pocket costs. Improving medication affordability strengthens treatment adherence and overall health outcomes. 

6. Specialized Mental Health Networks Serve Veterans and Families

The Cohen Veterans Network provides in-person and telehealth mental health care nationwide for post-9/11 veterans and their families, regardless of discharge status. Inclusive community-based networks help close gaps in access and ensure more veterans and families receive timely support. 

7. Fitness and Wellness Programs Rebuild Strength and Connection

Team Red, White and Blue builds local veteran communities through fitness and social engagement. Programs such as adaptive sports, yoga, and community events promote both physical health and social connection, reinforcing the sense of purpose many veterans value. 

8. Peer Support Organizations Strengthen Camaraderie

Wounded Warrior Project offers programs focused on mental health, career counseling, and peer engagement. Shared experiences matter. Community spaces where veterans connect with one another help restore camaraderie and mutual understanding. 

9. Local Veteran Service Offices Provide Regional Guidance

County and state veteran service offices often maintain updated lists of local resources and can assist with benefits navigation. These offices can serve as an important bridge between federal systems and community-based support. 

10. Collaboration Advances Whole-of-Life Care

Whole-of-life care includes physical health, mental wellness, employment, housing stability, financial security, and social connection. The VA remains a cornerstone of veteran support. Community providers, nonprofits, and peer networks strengthen the overall system. When these sectors collaborate, veterans gain more options, improved access, culturally competent services, and comprehensive support. 

Practical Steps for Finding Care Beyond the VA 

Veterans who want to explore additional options can start with a few practical steps: 

Strengthening the Network of Care 

Mission Roll Call believes veterans deserve accessible, high-quality care wherever they seek it. 

By elevating awareness of community resources and amplifying veteran voices, we can help ensure no one falls through the cracks. 

If you or a veteran you know is looking for support beyond traditional VA services, take the next step. Explore local resources, connect with community organizations, and share your experience. Together, we can strengthen policies and partnerships that support whole-of-life care for every veteran. 

Mr. Army Strong is an Army Veteran. 

He wasn’t living on the street.
He wasn’t asking for handouts.
And he wasn’t failing. 

He was sheltered—living under a temporary roof, with permission—but still living without safety, certainty, or dignity. 

When I first met Mr. Army Strong, he was staying in shelters for homeless men. He moved between facilities that were meant to be temporary but often became long-term holding spaces. Some nights were safer than others. Bed bugs were a constant problem. Theft was routine. Socks, underwear, personal items—things most people take for granted—would disappear. 

This is what “sheltered” often looks like in real life. 

What “Sheltered” Really Means 

In housing systems, sheltered includes situations like: 

These environments may provide a roof, but they don’t provide stability. For veterans like Mr. Army Strong—who were trained for structure and responsibility—this instability can be exhausting and demoralizing. 

He wasn’t avoiding work. He was doing what he could. 

The Veteran’s Voice 

While living in shelters, Mr. Army Strong worked as a substitute teacher when assignments were available. His employment depended on availability, transportation, and whether he’d slept the night before without disruption. Some days he showed up to teach students. Other days he focused on surviving the system meant to help him. 

He wanted consistency. He wanted to move forward. But shelter life keeps veterans stuck in reaction mode—waiting for bed counts, curfews, and placement decisions instead of planning for the future. 

The Advocate’s Voice — and the Realtor’s Role 

Mr. Army Strong already had a HUD-VASH voucher. That part mattered. The VA recognized his eligibility—but eligibility alone doesn’t get veterans housed. 

The VA referred him to me. 

I am a Veteran’s Homeless Realtor, and this is where housing becomes real. Veterans with vouchers don’t just need paperwork—they need landlords who will say yes, guidance through inspections, and someone who understands both real estate and the realities of homelessness. 

Housing homeless veterans is real estate. We don’t manage people—we move them. 

Housing Changes Everything 

Once we secured housing, Mr. Army Strong moved into a two-bedroom townhome in a western suburb. Not a shelter. Not transitional housing. A real home. 

With a door that locked.
With space to breathe.
With stability. 

And almost immediately, his life expanded. 

After getting housed, Mr. Army Strong secured a position at a nearby school, working as a school teacher, coach and referee. The consistency of housing allowed him to show up reliably—not just for his employer, but for himself. 

He also began working on his service-connected disability claim, focusing on increasing his rating so he could plan for future homeownership. That’s the part people miss: veterans don’t stop dreaming when they become homeless—but they often have to postpone those dreams until they’re safe. 

Housing gave him the space to think long-term again. 

The Bigger Picture 

Mr. Army Strong’s story reveals a truth we need to face head-on:
shelter does not equal stability. 

Veterans can be sheltered, employed, and still trapped. Vouchers can exist without housing. Referrals can happen without results. The gap between eligibility and keys is where too many veterans are lost. 

When housing strategies include professionals who understand both the system and the market, veterans don’t just survive—they move forward. 

Housing is not the reward for recovery.
Housing is the foundation that makes recovery possible. 

Call to Action 

Veterans like Mr. Army Strong don’t need more temporary solutions. They need pathways that lead to permanent homes. 

To learn more about Mission Roll Call’s work uplifting veteran voices and advancing effective housing solutions, visit our Homelessness page:
https://missionrollcall.org/spotlight-priorities/housing-and-homelessness/ 

Mission Roll Call is committed to listening first. If you are a veteran, family member, caregiver, or community partner, we invite you to share your story with us. Your experiences guide our advocacy and help us push for the changes veterans say matter most. 

Your voice matters here. We encourage veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters to share their experiences through Mission Roll Call’s national surveys. Your stories help shape policy, raise awareness, and ensure veterans are seen and heard:
https://missionrollcall.org/veteran-voices-survey/ 

Understanding the truth brings us one step closer to ensuring every veteran has what they deserve: stability, dignity, and a place to call home. 

 

 

When veterans talk about mental health, the conversation often focuses on therapy, medication, stress, or past experiences. Those are important, but many veterans say the daily habits they build outside the clinic also shape how stable, grounded, and well they feel.  

Nutrition, sleep, and routine may seem basic, yet they form the foundation for emotional balance and long-term resilience. When these three areas work together, they make the rest of life feel more manageable. 

The goal is not perfection or rigid discipline. The goal is to create small, realistic patterns that support your mind and body so you can navigate life with a little more steadiness. 

Nutrition: Fuel That Influences Mood 

Food affects more than energy. It supports concentration, emotional regulation, and overall mood. Many veterans who have struggled with depression, anxiety, or chronic stress share that certain eating patterns either help them stay steady or make it harder to manage tough days. 

Helpful approaches include: 

None of these habits has to be complicated. Even modest changes can support clearer thinking and a more even emotional baseline. 

Sleep: The Foundation for Emotional Stability 

Sleep influences every part of mental health. When sleep is disrupted, many symptoms become louder. Concentration decreases, stress feels heavier, and the body spends more time in “survival mode.” 

Improving sleep is not always easy, especially for veterans who live with chronic pain, nightmares, or operational sleep patterns that still linger. Small adjustments often help more than people expect: 

Better sleep does not cure every mental health challenge, but it often provides a more solid base for managing stress and emotional strain. 

Routine: Stability That Supports the Mind 

Many veterans say routine gives structure to their day when everything else feels unpredictable. A steady rhythm reduces decision fatigue and helps the mind shift out of constant alertness. 

Routines can be simple. A few examples include: 

These habits create a sense of continuity and help veterans feel more grounded. Some describe routine as a safety net that catches them before stress or isolation builds up. 

How These Habits Work Together 

Nutrition, sleep, and daily rhythms influence one another. Eating well supports better rest. Good rest improves focus and motivation. Routine provides structure that makes both nutrition and sleep more consistent. Over time, these small habits support emotional balance and lessen the intensity of difficult days. 

Many veterans who have rebuilt their mental health talk about this relationship. They often describe a shift that is gradual and steady rather than dramatic. Better sleep leads to clearer thinking. Regular meals can prevent the crashes that make stress harder to manage. Daily routines create periods of calm and predictability. 

The good news is that you do not need to change everything at once. Most veterans have success choosing one small habit to try for a week or two. A few examples: 

Small habits, practiced consistently, build the foundation for stronger mental health over time. 

Mental health support does not begin or end with an appointment. It continues through the daily choices that help your body and mind stay steady. Nutrition, sleep, and routine work quietly in the background, often making the biggest difference in how veterans feel day after day. With a few simple shifts, these habits can help create a sense of stability that supports long-term wellbeing.  

 

 

March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the women who have shaped our nation through service and leadership. Among them are women veterans whose efforts have transformed how health care and wellness services are delivered to women who have served. From pioneering gender-specific programs to advocating for trauma-informed care, these leaders have redefined what comprehensive veteran care can look like. 

Whole-of-life care recognizes that well-being is more than medical treatment. It encompasses mental wellness, stable housing, meaningful employment, peer connection, and family support. Women veterans have been central in shaping models that integrate these elements, ensuring that care is equitable, holistic, and accessible. 

Pioneering Health Care for Women Veterans 

Women veterans have historically faced significant gaps in care, from limited reproductive services to minimal recognition of trauma-related needs. Several trailblazers changed that landscape: 

These leaders collectively transformed the VA and community care landscape, ensuring that women veterans have access to comprehensive and culturally competent health services. 

Lessons from Women Veterans’ Leadership 

The work of these pioneering women highlights several lessons for modern whole-of-life care: 

Their efforts show that whole-of-life care extends far beyond clinic walls—it includes leadership, policy, and community engagement. 

Honoring Women Veterans This March 

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate women veterans not only for their service in uniform, but for the systems they helped build. Their leadership expanded access, improved quality, and redefined what it means to deliver comprehensive care to women veterans. From pioneering clinics to policy reform, their work demonstrates that equitable care for women veterans is possible when expertise and experience guide decision-making. 

Mission Roll Call is dedicated to elevating the contributions of these trailblazing women and promoting policies that ensure comprehensive care for all veterans. By following the example set by these leaders, we can continue building a health care system that fully meets the unique needs of women who served. 

This March, take action: 

Visit Mission Roll Call today to celebrate Women’s History Month and support the women veterans leading the way toward a stronger, more holistic future for all who served. 

When I met Mr. Air Force, he was living in Grant Park. 

Not passing through.
Not temporarily down on his luck.
Living there. 

He slept outside. Carried what he owned. Watched the city wake up and go to work each morning while he figured out where he could exist without being told to move along. 

This is what street homelessness actually looks like: 

No roof. No permission. No stability. 

And still—he was an Air Force Veteran. 

Housing Success #1: Safety 

Through HUD-VASH, we got Mr. Air Force housed for the first time in a one-bedroom apartment in South Shore. For someone coming straight from the street, this wasn’t just housing—it was stabilization. 

A locked door.
A bed.
A place to sleep without fear. 

That first housing success mattered. 

Housing Success #2: Growth 

Life didn’t pause once he was housed. Mr. Air Force rebuilt relationships. He had a family now. And the system did what it is supposed to do when it works—it adjusted. 

A two-bedroom apartment, still under HUD-VASH. Housing followed the veteran, not the other way around. 

Housing Success #3: Belonging 

The third home was a three-bedroom apartment in Morgan Park. By then, Mr. Air Force wasn’t just housed—he was rooted. 

He did the yard work.
He kept the building clean.
He greeted the landlord every morning with a steady “good morning” as she left for work. 

With housing came something the street never allows—the ability to plan. 

Mr. Air Force returned to college. Using his earned educational benefits, he completed his Bachelor’s degree, looking ahead to a better future and something more permanent than survival. 

That is what stable housing makes possible. 

The Part We Still Don’t Talk About Enough 

Mr. Air Force experienced housing success three times.
He did everything right.
And he still passed away without ever owning a home. 

Homeownership was always his goal. Not excess—security, permanence, and a future no one could take from him. 

As a Licensed Realtor, I don’t just place veterans into housing—I help them move along a continuum that leads to homeownership. I have seen what happens when veterans are given not only keys, but a clear path forward. That path exists—but it is not built into our current system. 

This is where the system stopped short. 

Housing gave him safety.
Housing gave him growth.
Housing gave him dignity. 

But there was no structured bridge from stabilization to ownership. 

The Hard Truth 

HUD-VASH works. This story proves it. 

But for veterans coming directly from the street, housing placement cannot be the end of the conversation. If we fail to intentionally connect housing to homeownership pathways, we are managing homelessness—not ending it. 

Mr. Air Force mattered.
His progress mattered.
His vision for a better future still matters. 

Rest in peace, my friend. Your life continues to teach us what must change. 

Until policymakers acknowledge that housing is the first step—and homeownership is the destination—HUD-VASH veterans will continue to be stabilized without ever reaching true permanence. 

 

Housing Strategy: HUD-VASH 

To learn more about Mission Roll Call’s work uplifting veteran voices and advancing effective housing solutions, visit our Homelessness page:
https://missionrollcall.org/spotlight-priorities/housing-and-homelessness/ 

Mission Roll Call is committed to listening first. If you are a veteran, family member, caregiver, or community partner, we invite you to share your story with us. Your experiences guide our advocacy and help us push for the changes veterans say matter most. 

Your voice matters here. We encourage veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters to share their experiences through Mission Roll Call’s national surveys. Your stories help shape policy, raise awareness, and ensure veterans are seen and heard:
https://missionrollcall.org/veteran-voices-survey/ 

Understanding the truth brings us one step closer to ensuring every veteran has what they deserve: stability, dignity, and a place to call home. 

 

 

A One-Stop Hub for Veterans, Families, and Partner Organizations 

At Mission Roll Call, our mission is simple: strengthen the voice of veterans and connect them to resources, opportunities, and communities that support them. That’s why we’re excited about the Veteran Connection Network (VCN) — a dynamic online platform that brings veterans, families, and organizations together in one centralized, easy-to-navigate space. 

VCN simplifies connection and engagement. Veterans and their families can quickly find events, volunteer opportunities, and trusted Veteran Service Organizations. Partner organizations can register, promote their work, list events and volunteer openings, and expand their reach within the veteran community. 

What Is the Veteran Connection Network? 

The Veteran Connection Network is a centralized hub where opportunity meets action for veterans and their families. On the platform, users can: 

Organizations can: 

By bringing these elements together in one accessible location, VCN removes barriers and simplifies the process of finding and sharing opportunities. 

Current VCN Member Organizations 

There are five partner organizations currently featured in the VCN directory who are working to support veterans and their families: 

  1. Operation Honor: Rural Salute – Community recognition and outreach programs. 
  2. Mighty Hero Home Foundation, Inc. – Support for housing stability and veteran well-being. 
  3. Operation Motorsport Program Foundation, Inc. – Adaptive sports and motorsport-based community engagement. 
  4. Mountain Valor – Outdoor experiences and veteran resilience programs. 
  5. Mission Roll Call – National advocacy, community building, and resource connection. 

(Visit the VCN directory to explore more partner organizations.) 

Volunteer Opportunities on VCN 

The VCN hosts current volunteer listings from member organizations. For example: 

Volunteers can browse the VCN to find opportunities that suit their interests and availability, from event support to community outreach. 

Current and Upcoming Events 

While VCN focuses on connecting users with opportunities and partner organizations, veterans can also find related events listed by partners through the platform. 

In addition to VCN listings, many community partners offer regular engagement opportunities — for example, local monthly veteran luncheons that provide fellowship, camaraderie, and community connection. These are great ways for veterans and families to build relationships and stay engaged with fellow service members. 

Why the VCN Matters 

Veterans and their families often have to search across multiple websites to find relevant events, support services, or volunteer opportunities. Outstanding organizations have impactful programs but struggle to reach the audiences they’re meant to serve. 

The Veteran Connection Network solves this problem by creating one hub where opportunity and community intersect. It empowers users to go beyond searching and into action. With just a few clicks, veterans can identify events, discover ways to serve, and reconnect with the camaraderie that defines military life. And organizations can ensure their work is seen by the people who need it most. 

Get Involved 

For Partner Organizations:
If you’re a Veteran Service Organization, nonprofit, or mission-aligned group serving veterans and their families, register on the Veteran Connection Network. Create your profile, post events, share volunteer opportunities, and make it easy for veterans and families to find and engage with your mission. 

For Veterans and Families:
Visit the Veteran Connection Network to explore current events, volunteer opportunities, and connect with organizations that reflect your interests and values. Connection strengthens individuals, and collective engagement strengthens the entire veteran community.  

 

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