Hello Neighbor, Meet Shane and His Beautiful Family!
Shane is a proud veteran, husband, and father of two young children. He enjoys spending time with his family, practicing martial arts, reading, and attending church.
After leaving military service, Shane faced the difficult transition back into civilian life. Without steady employment, he and his family found themselves in an unstable living situation. The uncertainty took a heavy toll; mentally, emotionally, and financially. They struggled with transportation, food, and the fear of not knowing where they would sleep each night.
“The hardest part was not knowing where me and my family would sleep,” shared Mr. Shane.
Fortunately, Shane found help through Front Steps’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, which provides critical support to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Austin. After reaching out to the veteran hotline, he was connected with Front Steps and began receiving the guidance and resources his family needed to regain stability.
“I found strength through my faith at first, though I was still unsure. Once we got to Front Steps, I was able to breathe. I felt accepted as soon as I walked in the door.”
Though Shane initially felt embarrassed about his situation, he said Front Steps made him feel cared for and respected. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed pride in how his family stayed positive through adversity. Despite the challenges, they persevered together with faith and resilience.
When asked about his goals for the future, Shane’s determination shines through. He hopes to find stable employment, purchase a car, rebuild his credit, buy a home for his family, and return to competing in martial arts.
He also shared an encouraging message for other veterans in Austin who may be facing similar struggles:
“Don’t be scared to ask for help because of your past or current situation. The case workers are very understanding and nonjudgmental. My experience has been wonderful. They’ve gone above and beyond with care and compassion.”
This is just the beginning for Shane and his family, and we can’t wait to see all that they accomplish. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and supporters like you. Thank you for your compassion and for helping end veteran homelessness in Austin, one step at a time.
You can help more families like Shane’s find hope and stability.
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