Recently, Aguilar shared his story in a second-floor conference room at Haven beside his case manager, Jose Ramirez Jr., 45, from the Veterans Services Team. Aguilar’s journey began with an appointment at Endeavors, a veteran supportive services agency that recommended Haven and its range of services for people without a home.
“The whole system has helped me and other veterans with dignity and respect,” Aguilar said. “They’re always giving us a helping hand.”Ramirez, who was in the Navy for 8½ years, served in two deployments to Iraq. He called the deployments as a Navy corpsman “a life-altering experience.” Now, he feels blessed and fortunate to work alongside and with veterans to aid them along their journey.
Ramirez has lived experience, just as those he helps. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he had post-traumatic stress disorder and suffered substance use. Through his ordeal, he found aid from a support system of family and friends. He called his wife, Lorraine, “an angel” who nursed him and gave him clarity.Part of his recovery was giving back. A shared common bond allowed him to connect with his clients.