The numbers are staggering. America’s veterans are suffering from substance abuse, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental illnesses at record numbers. Every night, by the tens of thousands, they go homeless.TROSA is a two year residential substance abuse treatment program. Serving adult men and women (at no charge to the individual receiving treatment), TROSA offers comprehensive services such as counseling, leadership and vocational training, educational services, and basic human services such as housing, food, clothing, and access to primary medical care. Close to thirty percent of the 350 men and women now at TROSA were homeless before they entered our program. Many are military veterans.
Mike and Herman are two veterans who came to TROSA for treatment. Mike is a well-spoken, intelligent and 40 years old. Seeing him today in his trademark khakis and blue blazer, it’s hard to imagine the life he led before he went through TROSA’s two year recovery program. He served in Saudi Arabia—and like many thought that joining the army would “straighten me out.” It didn’t. He left the army as addicted as when he enlisted. Mike’s life was a series of arrests, erratic home situations, prison stays, and failed attempts at rehabilitation. By the time he came to TROSA, he was addicted to cocaine and heroin and he knew, “this was the last chance.” Two years after walking through the front gates, he is our education coordinator arranging for other TROSA residents to get their GEDs, learn computer skills, or take a college class. “I feel different, not because of all the bad things I’m not doing but because of all the good things I do.”
Like Mike, Herman is doing a lot of good things. He’s TROSA’s Veterans Affairs liaison, and helps TROSA resident’s access veteran services during and after their time here. Herman’s deeply tanned complexion is a remnant of the 20 plus years of service he gave the Navy—stationed mainly in Florida. But besides the tan, after a lifetime of naval service, he retired with a crippling alcohol addiction. “I’m a rule follower. There weren’t rules about alcohol in the military.” Despite having had a father who died of alcoholism, alcohol ultimately cost Herman everything. “I lost everything—my savings, my home, my relationship —I was living in my truck in a Wal-Mart parking lot.”
TROSA is currently building two new 75 bed dormitories on its main campus (construction is overseen by William, a TROSA graduate and military veteran himself!). These single-sex dormitories will allow TROSA to serve even more people, including veterans.
To view a video for more information - click here: http://vimeo.com/25373044
For more about TROSA - click here: http://www.trosainc.org/
For more about TROSA - click here: http://www.trosainc.org/
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