Transitional Home Relieves Stress for Marine Couple Leaving Military
Four years ago, Yobani and Martha Castelan decided to join the Marines.
It was the start of 2020. Yobani was looking for a career that would provide stability and security. Martha had role models in her sister and her sister’s husband, both of whom also had enlisted in the Marines.
Yobani was stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, and when he and Martha got married, she transferred there, as well.
Now that they want to start a family, the couple made the joint decision to transition to the civilian world.
“We’ve done this whole journey together,” Yobani said.
“And we decided to get out together because we want to start a family,” Martha added. “We did see other couples who are dual military, and we saw how hard it was for them.”
During the transition readiness seminar that the military provides for those leaving, the Castelans learned about the nonprofit Operation Homefront. Martha looked online and found the Transitional Homes for Veterans (THV) program.
Through the THV program, veterans who are within three years of discharge can live rent-free in a house for two to three years as they build savings, reduce debt, and become established in careers and the community.
The Castelans wanted to move back to Indiana, where they had grown up together in a small town. They signed up for notifications and were happy when they saw a home in Shelbyville, Indiana, which is about two hours from their hometown of Logansport. They applied and were accepted into the program. They moved into their transitional home at the beginning of September.
“The house is beautiful,” Yobani said. “The area is very nice. We are very fortunate and grateful for the opportunity we were given.”
“It’s a very big thank you to the donors. I can’t thank them as much as they deserve. …It definitely has eased a lot of our stress.” – Yobani Castelan, Marine Corps veteran
Without the opportunity, Yobani and Martha said they would have been forced to ask relatives if they could live with them. Just the thought of that was stressful.
Yobani and Martha are eager for the financial counseling they will receive while in the program. Martha said she is already learning tips to increase their savings. Martha may look for part-time work. Yobani has a job at a company in power distribution engineering, which involves the maintenance of electrical engineering systems.
The couple’s goal over the next two years in the program is to save enough to buy a home closer to their family.
“It’s a very big thank you to the donors,” Yobani said. “I can’t thank them as much as they deserve. … It definitely has eased a lot of our stress.”
