The more I think about "Integrity", the more fond I become of the word itself. I have heard it defined as "doing the right thing when no one else is looking." To me, that about sums it up in a nutshell.
Today is a peaceful day, as yesterday was undoubtedly the most peaceful day I have had in 2016. Yesterday, myself and two acquaintances; both of which are quickly becoming two of my most loyal friends, set out to do something to get away. You see, myself and my friend, are veterans. He served for seven years in the United States Marine Corps. I served for eight, technically six with an inactive period of two; but my time was all served in the National Guard. A new female acquaintance for me, as of Saturday, joined us.
We set out for a festival in Hendersonville, North Carolina, to get away from the Veterans Restoration Headquarters, (VRQ), in an attempt to clear our minds. The VRQ is housing for the homeless, and Steve and I are currently sharing that experience. We are each battling different demons, and in some respects, the same one.
You see, Hendersonville is home to some of the largest apple orchards in the South. Every fall over the Labor Day holiday, the Apple Festival is held in downtown and hosts what I would guess to be fifteen-thousand people. The storefronts are open, vendors are there, a parade is held at 2:30 PM and that is the beginning of the end. The town continues to buzz until 11:00 PM that night.
We decided to grab a bite after the festivities. The three of us, ironically, all ordered salmon. It is good for brain health; after all. I had made plans for a surprise earlier that day for later that evening. I was going to take my friends to a nearby waterfall in continuation of our day of relaxation. The trees and Goliath-sized rock formations provided a backdrop that seemed to reach the heavens. Heavenly, is the only way I can, or could, describe the atmosphere around the waterfall. And while it was not Victoria Falls, it had the same effect because I was sharing it with new friends; friends I believe I will be able to count among those on my one hand that I can or could trust implicitly. For that, I am truly blessed.
Steve and I are under a curfew, as you have to be in your room at 9:00 PM each night. Once all are accounted for, we can roam around the compound as we wish. The grounds themselves are a renovated Motel 6. The Veterans Administration, or (VA), along with a charitable ministry called the Asheville-Buncombe County Christian Ministries, or (ABCCM), are the benefactors for this program.
It has a singular purpose...to give veterans a second chance at successful and productive lives. Many here are currently, or have been homeless. Some are addicts. Others are alcoholics. Whatever the situation, the VRQ is here as a temporary placement in hopes of better things for veterans. After all, we served our country, and others, by sacrificing ourselves. "Some gave all", as they say about soldiers who fought for our country on foreign lands; never to return. We are blessed to be able to wake up to the sunshine each morning with the promise of another day until nightfall.
Some here have families. Others are estranged. And some are completely alone in this world. In many ways, it sounds sad; but the men here that seek a "hand-up" instead of a "hand-out", will find this place to be a place of respite.
There are opportunities to start or continue an education. Opportunities for spiritual healing. A system that allows men to ride the transit system to and from the VA hospital for appointments, and additionally to outside activities; such as NA, AA, and church. All of these and more options are at the disposal for the nearly two-hundred and fifty men on these grounds.
For those with a limited or extremely focused work history; unable in some form or fashion to perform the duties required to maintain a job and live successfully in the community, there are opportunities on post. Each person in the "program" must perform one thousand service hours. This can be done in housekeeping, the kitchen, the front desk, maintenance, or a few other ancillary areas of need. They are paid through the partnership between ABCCM and the VA. It is non-taxable income. The only stipulation is that you must save sixty-percent of your disposable income. The goal is for each man to leave the VRQ with some sort, or in some cases a significant amount of savings.
Case managers with either social work or psychology degrees are assigned to each individual. They are here in an attempt to be a confidential and dedicated resource. Throughout the week, the men are required to attend two programs or classes. An individual with an "outside" forty-hour per week job is exempt from the two class per week requirement. Those in addictive rehabilitation programs are allowed to count one meeting a week as a substitute for a required class. Other classes include; but are not limited to, Bible studies, conflict management, personal finance, arts and crafts; even comedy. These are all designed for the promotion of personal wellness and growth.
There is also a nurse on staff, chaplains, persons who have been in the "program" longer than most who assist the staff in diverse areas, an intake coordinator and the director. All of these people play an integral part toward bringing people with broken relationships, hearts, bodies and minds back together again.
In my case, I am here because of a broken relationship. That is the current personal diagnosis; and from evaluating my past, the most immediate demon that I am facing. I did not realize how emotionally taxing it had become until I left and retreated here to the VRQ.
Immediately I felt a sense of peace and calm. I believe that each individual has the opportunity, within these protective walls, to grow from the inside-out. The programs are here, clinicians are here, the VA hospital is here, jobs are here and in the community and the structure is here; for those willing to "take the horns" of the proverbial bull. In fact, each one of us bears no cost for housing, water, food, clothing, outside activities, etc. How can one fail?
The clincher in all of this is that each individual must follow a simple set of rules; clearly defined in a short, twenty-seven page handbook, and toe the line with respect to other people and property, and abstaining from drugs and alcohol. Some behaviors are awarded with an immediate dismissal. Others follow the "three-strikes-and-you-are-out" rule, similar to baseball and more and more jurisdictional court systems throughout the United States.
I guess what I am trying to portray, is that this system is designed in and of itself to be foolproof. Still, the scenery changes week-by-week and sometimes day-by-day. I guess some people haven't learned their lesson(s) yet, and perhaps never will. I, on the other hand, believe there is great hope for a new and explosive foundation for financial, educational, personal and spiritual growth. All of these areas are readily addressed by those employed by the VRQ. This partnership was formed nearly twenty years ago under the umbrella of a Christian ministry, partnered with our federal government entity, the VA, as a landing post until each and every individual is fully equipped for another, and hopefully more successful, take-off.
