Finding Strength in Asking for Help: A Veteran’s Journey to Stability
For many of our neighbors, asking for help is a necessary step toward finding stability and hope.
Mr. Rafael served seven years in the Air Force, before he returned to Austin in 2014. Once in Austin he worked various jobs in hopes of finding his passion. He even went back to school, but the financial pressures of the pandemic forced him to prioritize work over education. By late 2023, he found himself in a dark place, battling depression and isolation. Mr. Rafael struggled to ask for help, but eventually came to accept the reality that he knew he had to reach out.
Turning to Front Steps for Support
With his lease ending in just two weeks, he faced the real possibility of homelessness. Finally, Mr. Rafael decided to call Front Steps.
“I basically just told them my lease is ending in February. If I don’t have a place in the next two weeks, I’m going to be homeless,” he recalls. “And that’s one of the things that really surprised me. Within two weeks, we had found a place, got me approved, and into housing.”
Though he experienced homelessness briefly for a few days, he credits Front Steps for minimizing the time he had to spend without a home.
Overcoming Challenges and Finding Faith
One of the biggest challenges he faced was overcoming the internalized stigma around asking for help. “I just haven’t grown up in this kind of—there’s just that societal culture where men don’t ask for help. Where it’s ‘figure it out on your own,’ and I really struggled to get over that,” he admits.
What helped him through this difficult period? His faith. “God. I found my faith—rediscovered my faith.”
A Supportive Community
From the moment he stepped into Front Steps, he felt welcomed. The staff guided him through the paperwork and helped him enroll in the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, which covered his rent for the first few months. One moment in particular stood out to him—when caseworker Ms. Bonnett advocated on his behalf.
“She went to bat for me when there was miscommunication with property management,” he says. “I could tell she was really trying to figure out why certain things were no longer available. She always went to bat, and that’s something that will always stick with me.”
Looking Forward
Having a home has been a blessing. The assistance he received through Front Steps has given him the stability to focus on his future. Now a full-time student, he is excited about the opportunities ahead and remains grateful for the support he has received.
A Message of Hope
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. So there’s no reason not to ask and not to reach out.” –Mr. Rafael.
He also has a heartfelt message for those who support organizations like Front Steps: “I want to thank those who are already supporting the programs that I’ve been utilizing, and I hope they continue to do so. I imagine there are a lot of other veterans out there who are experiencing the same thing I was.”
For those who haven’t yet contributed, he offers a gentle nudge: “Reconsider! Please reconsider.”
As he continues his journey, his story serves as a reminder of why supporting organizations like Front Steps is vital—for veterans, for individuals in crisis, and for the belief that no one should have to face homelessness alone.