From Struggle to Stability: How Easterseals Helped One Veteran Find Her Way

Members of the Armed Forces are celebrated for their courage and willingness to put their lives on the line to protect and serve the nation. Yet, after service, many veterans struggle to reenter civilian life. 

For disabled veteran Aretha Williams, the Easterseals Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) helped her find stability and secure employment during a tumultuous period in her life. Now, Williams shares how the services HVRP provides changed her life, and the importance of connecting with fellow veterans.

Finding Assistance Through HVRP

Williams first became aware of Easterseals’ HVRP after being referred through the unemployment offices in Maryland. Initially, Williams struggled to find any assistance through unemployment services. While she acknowledges the support state programs can offer, she was able to receive more through Easterseals and HVRP.

“I think [unemployment is] well meant, but it wasn’t really getting me to where I wanted to be,” Williams said. “All the services I was interested in, I couldn’t qualify for, even though I was technically unemployed. Easterseals was one of the only organizations not telling me no.”

From finding affordable housing, to receiving gas cards and money to purchase necessities like clothes, Williams, through Easterseals, had the capability to pursue different employment opportunities. Yet, it was HVRP’s continuous dedication and commitment that helped her stay in her community.

“When I was struggling with some of the companies and organizations that the Maryland unemployment offices were sending me to, I felt like I was getting the runaround,” she said. “When that happened, I was able to contact Easterseals and say I’m very frustrated because I was ready to just give up. I was going to pack everything up, put it in storage, because it’s expensive in Maryland, and move to North Carolina. Easterseals was able to say ‘No, hold on, let me call that person.’ That made things move for me.”

Veteran Support

HVRP serves the District of Columbia, Maryland (except the Eastern Shore), and Northern Virginia, specifically working with veterans to help with aspects like career counseling and job placement. In William’s case, she was able to locate affordable housing and buy necessities like clothes. While using HVRP for approximately six months, Williams also found comfort and advice in talking with other veterans. As a former active duty service member for six years, serving as a 71 Lima, Williams appreciated speaking with others who were deeply familiar with military lifestyle and the culture of being a former servicemember.

“It was helpful to talk to people who actually [served] as well, and were females,” she said. “I had that connection, and I think that familiarity with what you’re feeling and what you’re going through as a disabled female veteran was helpful for me.”

Beyond the sense of camaraderie with fellow veterans, Williams notes the employees within Easterseals’ HVRP were consistently pushing her to be the best version of herself. When she was nearing the completion of her Juris Doctor degree, Williams explains that an Easterseals employee, Kathy, would regularly celebrate her successes and encourage her to continue pursuing her studies. “That was another thing that [Kathy] supported me with, saying ‘Keep going, keep pushing’ because it was difficult.”

Being a veteran is about more than serving one’s country. It instills a sense of community among others, regardless of military branch. When one struggles, others do their best to support and provide wisdom. Yet, camaraderie can only do so much to keep veterans safe and secure. According to statistics from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, over 32,000 veterans experienced homelessness in 2024. Of the 32,000, 43% were unable to find shelter. While these statistics were the lowest since documenting in 2009, over 32,000 veterans were still unhoused, requiring assistance from organizations and loved ones alike. As a former veteran who faced these troubles, Williams is more than happy to showcase Easterseals and the services HVRP can provide for other veterans in similar situations.

“Understanding that Easterseals can support and does support veterans is something I did not know,” she said. “I had no idea the extent they go to [to help]. Taking me to shop, to get clothes, to go to work, and [even providing] gas cards [was helpful]. People just want to be heard, and I would say definitely go to Easterseals. If you want to be heard, if you want to be seen, if you want to feel supported and valued, I would say go to Easterseals.”