Army Veteran Grateful for Transitional Home Near Family
After a 20-year career in the Army, Sgt. 1st Class Steve Chapman and his family are ready for the next chapter — a transition to civilian life.
When the time came earlier this year, Steve turned to Operation Homefront. He had participated the nonprofit’s family support services such as the Holiday Meals for Military® program.
“In 2014, a coworker told me about holiday meals,” he said. “I was going to be away for training that November, and finances were tight because of our recent PCS. I registered my family for the event, and we were so grateful for the support! We were also able to get support from the Back-to-School Brigade® that following year.”
During his search of the nonprofit’s website, he found the Transitional Homes for Veterans (THV) program, and even better, a home was available in Pensacola, Florida, near his and his wife’s families. He applied and was accepted.
“This will allow our children to spend real time with them,” Steve said. “We have been gone for 20-plus years, so our children really don’t know our extended family or our hometown very well.”
In October, Steve, his wife Katie, and their sons – Steven Jr., 15, and Randall, 13 – moved into the home. Adult daughter Kylie, 21, lives on her own.
“Thank you for making the difference that is needed for our military community!” – Steve Chapman, Army veteran
Through the 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. They also receive financial counseling.
“It will provide us with the knowledge and tools that we need for stronger financial security,” Steve said. “We want to be able to show our children healthy financial habits that we did not have when we were younger.”
Financial stability for his young family was one of the reasons Steve joined the military.
Steve and Katie had met through mutual friends, and he got her phone number.
“I put the number in a CD case that I knew I would never lose, but then I did,” Steve said, “and I thought I’d lost my chance. Almost a year later I ran into her by chance, and I haven’t let her out of my sight since.”
The two married a few years afterward and had Kylie.
Steve’s father, a Navy veteran, had tried to convince his son to sign up for the Navy, but Steve was doing fine in his job renovating homes. Once that business slowed down and he had his own family, he realized he needed something more stable. He enlisted in the Army.
During his military career, Steve deployed to Afghanistan twice, in 2004 and 2012, and Iraq in 2005. He worked in military police and retired in April as a sergeant first class.
Their new Operation Homefront transitional home is near a military base, and Steve hopes to find employment on base. His wife is also a federal employee.
Steve said the retirement date “snuck up” on them, but knowing that donors support veterans and service members has provided relief.
“My family needed assistance, and Operation Homefront was there,” Steve said. “They understand what challenges military families face. Thank you for making the difference that is needed for our military community!”
