An organization that is helping improve the lives of wounded veterans received a helping hand from the community this weekend.
Marrokal Design & Remodeling helped extend a railing that runs around the deck of a transitional home to meet code requirements to give more livable space to wounded veterans.
“It’s amazing. All of our support comes from the community–100 percent. We don’t get any government funding for this,” says Gene D. Jennett, Assistant Director, Wounded Warrior Homes.
Wounded Warrior Homes is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that officially began helping veterans in 2012 with transitional living and service programs. The organization provides affordable housing and resources for Veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.
The problem with the transitional house in Vista was a railing issue that was causing a a section of the 2,500 square foot home to be banned from use.
Areas like the kitchen and a brand new bathroom couldn’t be used and instead forced veterans to be squeezed into a smaller portion of the house.
The railing around the deck was six inches too short in because the railing was designed in another state.
This past weekend, Wounded Warrior Homes, received the help it needed. Jennett says if the organization would have had to replace the railing it would’ve cost $10,000.
“Marrokal was able to get a welder. They were able to figure out a way to create an extension on the stanchions that hold the railing,” says Jennett.
CEO, Gary Marrokal, along with Director of Production, Jesse Cumpian, Project Managers, Steve Underwood, John Simko, Craig Speicher, and Director of First Impressions, Kelley Parham other members of the Marrokal team rolled up their sleeves and volunteered to help do the repairs.
“It’s a very long list of all the various list of companies and people who have donated money, time, and effort to make this happen… it’s humbling,” says Jennett.
Wounded Warrior Homes has helped 38 veterans successfully transition into independent living since the program’s inception.
Here’s how the organization explains the importance of transitional living homes.
“For the men and women who serve our country with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress, a home is the simplest, yet most essential item in their lives. It is a comfort and a hideaway at the end of a long day, and a place to call their own that gives them independence.” Source.
The transitional housing is essential to service members returning from active duty. “When our guys leave [transitional housing], they don’t come back, generally. They’re off and running and they’re good,” says Jennett.
But that’s not the case for all transitional housing programs. Some put too many veterans in cramped quarters and for too short of a period of time. Jennett says that’s a recipe for failure which can return veterans to where they were originally.
“They’re living in their cars, they’re couch surfing,” says Jennett.
“One guy was living in his car in the parking lot at the Vista library for 28 days before he came to Wounded Warrior Homes for help.
The organization says that, “Many service members do not have the option to move home to continue their outpatient medical care and access the services they need.” Source.
Families may live several hours from the closest VA Hospital or they may not live by one at all. By providing affordable transitional housing and hands-on resources, Wounded Warrior Homes provides a defined path for each member to transition from active-duty military service to a veteran of foreign wars. We are accepting applications for current availability.
Learn more about Wounded Warrior Homes and the difference its making for veterans, watch the video.
“WWH gave me exactly what I needed: a home. Once in that home I was able to begin to find myself. After I leave WWH’s program this fall, I plan on pursuing my education at the local community college and continuing to fight against the effects of my PTSD and TBI.”
Travis, First Class Petty Officer, United States Navy