Getting Away
Rebecca arrived in Pensacola with everything she could fit in her car. A veteran and a single mother of two, she was fleeing a domestic abuse situation in another state.
Rebecca called United Way of West Florida’s Florida Veterans Support Line (FVSL). She told the Care Coordinator she was down to two packets of Ramen noodles. That was all her family had to eat for the next week as they waited for their food stamps to become available.
Rebecca is rated as 100% disabled by the VA but used all her money for first and last month’s rent, utility deposits, and setting her kids up in school. This also meant her family didn’t have any furniture and wouldn’t be able to buy any for quite some time.
Getting Help
The FVSL Care Coordinator went to work tackling the issues facing Rebecca’s family. First up was a list of local pantries for food and thrift stores for furniture. Then the Care Coordinator dove in deeper, calling some of their local connections to advocate on behalf of the family.
An Air Force veteran donated two weeks of food for the family. Other people responded to a request for furniture on social media. The Care Coordinator was able to secure a couch, end tables, dining room set, tv, and so much other furniture that a trailer was needed to deliver it!
As veterans themselves, helping other veterans find the resources and support they need is personal for UWWF’s Florida Veterans Support Line team. We salute them and all veterans, not just this week, but every day.
If you are a vet who needs help, you can dial 211. They will connect you with an FVSL Care Coordinator.
You Can Help
Help us make sure all veterans can get the help they need, when they need it, by making a gift today to United Way of West Florida. See how you can give here- uwwf.org/give.