Leslie is one of
the graduates of the St. Francis House Veterans Re-Entry program. He served in the Navy as a chef from 1994- 1996.
When he returned from deployment, he was diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome. “A lot of my buddies didn’t come home…I was afraid to go anywhere, didn’t want to leave the house. I had struggled with drugs and alcohol all my life so that’s what I turned to.”
Leslie finally went to the Veterans’ Drop-In Center. “They pushed me to dig deep and see what I’m really made of. I can survive without doing those things, be respectable.”
When they referred him to St. Francis House, he took the opportunity. Leslie now has a job and a new place to live.
“Thank you St. Francis House staff and fellow vets for not throwing me away, not treating me like a number. I know I can do this this. I’m going places”.
What a great start to a New Year!