PAGE 10 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 30, 2015 SAFE HAVEN

Dave Hammond ended up homeless in Toledo, Ohio, in 2012, seven years after his medical discharge from the Army. He moved into an apartment last fall with the GIVING THE GIFT OF help of Veterans Matter . MARTIN KUZ/Stars and Stripes IINSTANTNSTANT CCOMPASSIONOMPASSION

Ohio-based nonprofit helps veterans reclaim their lives by covering rent deposits

BY MARTIN KUZ  Stars and Stripes TOLEDO, Ohio Can homelessness whiteboard that hangs on the refrigerator in Dave Hammond’s apartment lists his itin- ever be conquered? erary to search for a life gone missing.

In green marker and neat, coiled script, he has written 10 priorities for recovering BY JENNIFER HLAD what he lost in the years after his medical discharge from the Army in 2005. He longs Stars and Stripes to reunite with his young son, who lives with his ex-wife in Washington. He wants to find a job, return to school, buy a computer. He needs a driver’s license. New Orleans announced in AIn time, Hammond hopes to rewind the spiral that by 2012 had left him homeless, surviving on early January that it was the first major city in the country to meet the dollar menu at McDonald’s and sleeping at bus stops. a goal issued by the Obama ad- He faces a long journey back from a He moved into his one- in 2010, when more than ministration in 2010: ending vet- decade of misfortune and mistakes, and bedroom unit in October 76,000 former service- eran homelessness. But despite dedicated efforts there are days when his mood turns as with the help of Veterans members lacked perma- across the country to meet the leaden as Ohio’s winter sky. Matter, a nonprofit estab- nent housing. The VA goal by the end of 2015, and a Still, looking out at the snowy tableau lished in Toledo in 2012. reported last year that renewed push last year after Mi- of downtown Toledo from the warmth The group provides rent the number had dropped chelle Obama’s announcement of his 12th-floor apartment, he had rea- deposits for homeless below 50,000. (The of the Mayors Challenge to End son for gratitude. He could ponder am- veterans who qualify for agency will release the Veteran Homelessness, there has bitions beyond the desire to be inside. federal housing vouchers results of its 2015 survey been no standard or official defi- “It was cold out there,” said Ham- through a program run by the depart- of homeless veterans, conducted earlier nition of what “eliminating veter- mond, 34, who grew up in nearby Per- ments of Veterans Affairs and Housing this week, in the coming months.) an homelessness” really means. rysburg and served six years in the and Urban Development. Yet the relative success of the voucher For Zero: 2016, a national cam- Army before a degenerative back con- The joint effort by the VA and HUD program obscures a pitfall that thwarts paign to end chronic and veteran dition cut short his career. “When you has boosted President Barack Obama’s more veterans from escaping the pur- homelessness by the end of 2016, don’t have a place to stay, that’s pretty five-year campaign to end homeless- gatory of shelters and the streets. “zero” means that at any point in much all you think about.” ness among veterans. The push began SEE COMPASSION ON PAGE 11 time, the number of people ex- periencing homelessness won’t be greater than the community’s When you don’t have a place to stay, that’s pretty ability to place them in perma- nent housing. much all you think about. — Dave Hammond “ SEE CONQUER ON PAGE 11 Friday, January 30, 2015 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 11 SAFE HAVEN

COMPASSION FROM PAGE 10 The population of homeless veterans across the The vouchers do not cover rent deposits that HOMELESS country has declined by more than 26,000, CONQUER FROM PAGE 10 landlords require as a condition of leasing. A or 33 percent, since President Barack Obama Beth Sandor, director of Zero: veteran can apply for the money through an VETERANS ON launched a five-year campaign to end homeless- 2016, said her organization rec- array of other programs, but approval rou- ness among veterans in 2010. To meet the goal, ognized early that it needed a tinely takes 30 to 60 days, and sometimes THE DECLINE stretches to four months or longer. By then, almost twice as many homeless veterans will clear definition of what it was in a typical scenario, a landlord has rented to need to be placed in permanent housing in 2015 working toward. another tenant, or the veteran has drifted out as have been placed in the last four years. New Orleans was one of more of the VA’s orbit. than 70 communities selected Veterans Matter seeks to reduce the wait for the program, and in its news from months to minutes. The organization release about reaching the goal, has created a cloud-based platform for VA defined ending veteran home- social workers and case managers to submit lessness as “ensuring every online requests for rent deposits. 76,329 homeless veteran who can be If the application conforms to VA and HUD located is placed in permanent guidelines, a Veterans Matter staffer accepts VETERANS housing or in temporary hous- the request and mails a check that day to the landlord, who also receives a confirmation 2010 ing with an identified perma- email. Most property managers treat the nent housing placement” within electronic notice as proof of payment and 30 days. allow the veteran to move into housing with- That doesn’t mean that no out further delay. 67,495 veteran will ever again fall into The accelerated process delivers “instant VETERANS homelessness in New Orleans, compassion,” in the words of Ken Leslie, said Baylee Crone, executive di- the group’s founder, whose advocacy for the 2011 rector of the National Coalition homeless in Toledo traces to his own time for Homeless Veterans. But now, on the streets a quarter-century ago. “The there is a system in place to find philosophy is simple,” he said. “Get veterans housed to save their lives.” 62,619 permanent housing for those veterans quickly, she said. In three years, the group has raised VETERANS $320,000 to cover deposits for more than 500 The philosophy of “hous- veterans in six states. The housing has ben- 2012 ing first” requires moving the efited almost 800 dependents, including 200 homeless into permanent hous- children. ing quickly — and frequently Leslie, backed by one part-time employee requires lowering barriers to and two contractors, plans to assist an ad- 57,849 entry to that housing. For ex- ditional 1,500 homeless veterans this year VETERANS ample, where people may have while expanding into more states, and he previously been required to envisions offering aid nationwide by 2017. A 2013 complete a drug or alcohol treat- former standup comedian with ties to the en- tertainment industry, he has drawn fundrais- ment plan prior to being placed ing support from the likes of Katy Perry, Kid in permanent housing, now they Rock, John Mellencamp and Dusty Hill of ZZ could be placed in housing and Top through public service announcements 49,933 given a case manager for access and concert ticket auctions. VETERANS to the treatment and other ser- The high-profile names contrast with the vices at a later time. group’s unseen impact. Hammond knew 2014 Though the approach is “not nothing of Veterans Matter before it paid perfect by any means,” research his $475 deposit last fall. At the time, he was SOURCES: Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban Development has shown it works, Crone said. nearing the two-year limit for residency at The key for communities and housing and medical services to the home- p.m.,” to Leslie’s memory — Petee called a transitional housing complex for homeless outreach teams is to know every veterans. He felt a gathering dread. less, and he has devoted much of the past 25 back to tell him ProMedica would supply the person on the streets or in a “I couldn’t have come up with the money,” years to their plight. grant. “Three days after that, we housed our he said. “I was worried I was going to be back When Dowling explained that a modest first veteran,” he said. “Eleven days from shelter, Crone and Sandor said. on the streets.” $750 separated each veteran from perma- idea to execution. And it’s only because it’s so “If you don’t know their name nent housing, he saw a chance to bring them simple and it’s focused only on the people.” and needs, you’ll never know ‘Black-ops speed’ across the threshold. what you need to get them into The next morning he called Barbara Petee A translator permanent housing,” Sandor Leslie’s concept for Veterans Matter with ProMedica, a nonprofit health care between worlds said. bloomed three years ago in the chilled air network based in Toledo. She manages the And the fact that New Orleans of February. Every month or two, he and group’s advocacy fund, distributing grants The work of Veterans Matter in the ensu- has hit the goal “is a game- for regional projects that improve the health members of 1Matters, the homeless advo- ing years has had a dramatic effect on the changer,” Sandor said. and well-being of low-income adults and cacy group he formed in 2007, set out to VA’s housing program in the area. Dowling “It is a proof point,” she said, visit different areas in the border region of children. related that, before 2012, an average of 137 “an amazing example of what’s northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michi- Leslie laid out the dilemma of the 35 vet- days elapsed between a former servicemem- gan. They enter a parallel realm — a place of erans and requested $26,250 to cover their ber applying for a voucher and signing a possible with good leadership, woodlands and train tracks, underpasses and deposits. He added that he wanted to acquire lease. The wait has since plunged to 32 days. with the introduction of best vacant buildings — to look for those he dubs the funding “at black-ops speed.” She identified Leslie’s organization as the practices, of knowing every sin- “the unhoused.” Petee needed little persuading. “Just be- principal reason, even as funding for rent gle person’s name, of not giving Joining the search party was his friend cause something like veterans’ homelessness deposits has become available through other up until we get there.” Shawn Dowling, a social worker with the VA’s is a difficult problem doesn’t mean we have federal programs. The group, acting with a New Orleans’ achievement Ann Arbor Healthcare System in Michigan, a to try to find difficult solutions,” she said. “It nimbleness mostly unknown to government also is helpful for other com- was clear Ken’s idea could help these veter- network that encompasses Toledo. She men- agencies, has enabled 90 veterans in the re- munities that may be looking ans right away.” tioned that her office had recently received gion to move into permanent housing. for their own definition of zero, Seven days later — “Valentine’s Day, 5:36 The urgency is crucial given the 35 housing vouchers. But unable to Crone said, as well as those afford security deposits, the veter- prevalence of addiction and men- looking for best practices and ans who qualified for the program tal illness among the homeless. “If remained in limbo. you take too long to get veterans ways to track their progress. Leslie asked how the VA attempt- housed, you’ll lose them,” Dowling The city took the number of ed to come up with the deposits. said. “They’ll go away, and they’ll homeless veterans from a point- “We take them around to VFWs and stay gone until you can find them in-time count last year, 193, churches and help them beg,” Dowl- again.” as its starting point, and was ing said. Toledo has earned national no- able to house 127 of them in six Her answer at once pained and tice for aiding former military months, she said. But the work members in need through the co- prodded Leslie, who had found him- is not over: Organizations there self among the unhoused in the late operation of public officials, social service agencies, nonprofit groups must continue to connect people 1980s. with the resources they need to During his touring days as a co- and private businesses. The latest get back on their feet. median, he had fallen for the dark evidence of progress is a $12.5-mil- charms of drugs and alcohol, an ex- lion, 75-unit apartment complex for “Ending veteran homeless- pensive romance that he preferred low-income and homeless veterans ness is not a set point in time,” that will open this summer on the Crone said. to paying rent. Sobriety arrived in MARTIN KUZ/Stars and Stripes 1990 after he realized how much he city’s south side. Veterans Matter will contribute to covering the rent [email protected] hated sleeping in his car. The same Three years ago, Ken Leslie founded Veterans Matter, a Twitter: @jhlad year, Leslie launched Tent City, an nonprofit based in Toledo, Ohio, that covers the rent deposits of deposits of tenants. annual event that provides free job, homeless veterans to help them move into permanent housing. SEE COMPASSION ON PAGE 13 PAGE 12 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Friday, January 30, 2015 SAFE HAVEN The difference a home makes BY MARTIN KUZ Stars and Stripes COLUMBUS, Ohio — A simple rule guided Travis Goodman dur- ing the years he sought shelter in vacant houses across Ohio’s capi- tal city. “Go in late, get out early.” Slipping into an empty home after nightfall and vanishing be- fore daybreak reduced the risk that a neighbor would spot him and call police. If he moved only in the dark, he could sleep unno- ticed in the same house for days, sometimes weeks. But now and then alcohol and pot loosened his discipline. The cops would show up and arrest the former Marine, charging him with trespassing or drug posses- sion or both. He might stay in a homeless shelter for a stretch be- fore resuming his particular style of house hunting. Goodman worked a string of construction and warehouse jobs that earned him enough to af- ford a place of his own. He chose instead to invest in his vices, and when money ran short, he turned to petty theft and check forgery. There were more short stints in jail as lessons went unlearned. He spun in that cycle for more than a decade until the day in 2011 when he received a call from his sister. She had seen a report on TV about a PHOTOS BY MARTIN KUZ/Stars and Stripes new housing community for Travis Goodman, a former Marine, lives in a one-bedroom apartment at the Commons at Livingston, disabled and homeless veter- a permanent supportive housing community in Columbus, Ohio, for disabled and homeless veterans. ans. She urged him to apply Goodman served a three-year stint starting in 1978, and later was homeless for more than a decade. for an apartment there. The call coincided with his growing sense that he needed room and bathroom, and there’s inflame feelings of “I wish the things to change. The old military a large hall for group gatherings isolation for veter- that brought me here man felt hollowed out in body and computer, fitness and laundry ans as they mourn hadn’t happened. and mind. rooms. Residents sign a renewable the loss of their mil- But at the same “I got tired of being tired, one-year lease and are allowed to itary identity. The time I feel lucky to and I got tired of being stay indefinitely, paying monthly sense of estrange- be here because I’m ashamed,” said Goodman, rent equal to 30 percent of their ment often persists around people who 54, who grew up in Colum- income, or no less than $50. even for those who understand. There’s bus and joined the Marines VA social workers and case cope without re- just a bond you feel in 1978 for a three-year stint. managers work out of offices in treating to the streets. with another veteran that you can’t get with somebody else.” “Your conscience starts to get as he relaxed on an amply pillowed the building, and every week there Living with fellow veterans in to you. You start seeing yourself as sofa, arms splayed, his voice as se- are regular visits by physical and permanent supportive housing A second shot less than human.” rene as his manner. “I have goals occupational therapists, behav- offers a healing camaraderie, an In summer 2012, he received now. Direction.” ioral health providers and job oasis of shared experience and The Commons blends into a approval to move into the Com- and education counselors. Apart empathy. “For some of them, milieu of residential and commer- mons at Livingston, a red-brick, Stable housing from job or education training for being here is the first time they’ve cial properties on the east side of three-story housing complex of 50 the unemployed, the services are felt connected to anyone since Columbus. Five years ago, in the Goodman counts among the one-bedroom units run by Nation- made available without requiring they got out of the military,” Hay- project’s early stages, the “crazy more than 26,000 former service- al Church Residences. The non- tenants to take part, creating an cook said. “They feel like they’re vet” stereotype shadowed its de- profit housing provider, based in members who have migrated from ethos of autonomy that nurtures velopment, with some residents the country’s streets and homeless part of something again.” Columbus, expanded the campus their dignity. The presence of others who and business owners nervous last year, doubling its capacity to shelters into stable housing since “What we’ve seen for the most about housing former service- 2010. The population of home- wore the uniform has comforted house 100 veterans. part is that veterans want to get members in the area. less veterans topped 76,000 at the Chris Eckert. The Army veteran, A framed portrait of Goodman better,” said Robyn Haycook, A similar strain of anxiety has as an 18-year-old private stands time. The number had fallen below who mustered out in 1996 after a support services coordinator six years, lost his warehouse lo- run through other cities, and proj- on a table in his apartment. The 50,000 last year in a survey by the ects have been scuttled or scaled with National Church Residences. gistics job in 2013. His savings young man in the uniform now Department of Veterans Affairs. back as a result. Around the Com- “They’ll generally seek the help had drained away by early last appears more familiar to him in (The agency conducted its annual mons, meanwhile, the divide be- they need once they’re here. But year, and he wound up in a home- some ways than the version of survey of homeless veterans this tween the civilian and military it’s important for them to feel that less shelter for several months be- himself who first arrived at the week and will release the findings realms appears to have dissolved. it’s their decision, and we want fore moving into the Commons in Commons. later this year.) Veterans from the complex partic- them to have that independence.” September. He has been sober for more A five-year national campaign ipate in the neighborhood’s “block The rate of homelessness among “This has been like a safe haven than two years. He holds a part- to end homelessness among vet- watch” aimed at deterring crime time maintenance job and attends erans, launched by President veterans nationwide remains for me,” said Eckert, 45, who twice that of those who have never struggles with seizures and the ef- and mingle with residents at com- classes as he pursues a GED. He Barack Obama in 2010, has pro- munity events. started dating a woman last year pelled efforts to bring them into served in the armed forces. Re- fects of a brain tumor that impairs and spends more time with his permanent supportive housing. turning to the civilian world can his vision. SEE HOME ON PAGE 13 three siblings, who live in the city. The model combines a comfort- The purpose of his life has tran- able living space among their own scended the impulse to invade with ready access to job, medical I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t and evade, to “go in late, get out and counseling services. early.” Funded through local, state and “I don’t know where I’d be if I federal programs, the Commons ended up here. Probably back in jail hadn’t ended up here. Probably resembles an independent living back in jail or dead,” he said. Large facility for seniors. Each apart- or dead. I have goals now. Direction. windows let in the day’s pale light ment includes a kitchen, bed- “ — Travis Goodman Friday, January 30, 2015 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 13 SAFE HAVEN

COMPASSION FROM PAGE 11 HOME FROM PAGE 12 For their efforts, Leslie and How cities around the US are doing Michael Preston, a regional Mayor D. Michael Collins, along director for National Church with civic leaders from 80 cit- Since 2010, when President Barack Obama launched a five-year national campaign to end homelessness among veterans, Residences, ascribed the ar- ies, were invited to Washington the number of former servicemembers living on the streets has dropped from over 76,000 to below 50,000. In early Janu- ea’s acceptance of the campus last spring for a summit on end- ary, officials in New Orleans declared that their city was the country’s first to find permanent housing for all of its homeless mostly to the passage of time. ing homelessness among veter- veterans, who numbered 227 at the start of last year. Here’s a look at efforts in a handful of other U.S. cities, based on “I think that as we’ve gone ans hosted by first lady Michelle figures provided by federal, state and local agencies. — Martin Kuz along people have taken into Obama. consideration that these vet- On a recent morning, the two Portland, Ore.: Los Angeles: Phoenix: Houston: Chicago: New York: erans served our country, and men shook hands and hugged City officials The Department From 2010 The city found Mayor Rahm The city’s popula- we need to do right by them,” when they met in the mayor’s of- announced in No- of Veterans Affairs through 2013, the housing for 2,800 Emanuel unveiled tion of homeless he said. fice on the 22nd floor of the city’s vember that 139 just agreed to city housed 222 homeless veterans a $5 million veterans fell by In the common perception government center. A gray haze homeless veterans create a plan to veterans classi- from 2012 to plan last fall to almost two-thirds of permanent supportive hous- shrouded vistas of downtown had been housed end homelessness fied as chronically 2014, reducing provide hous- between 2011 ing, shaped in no small part outside the floor-to-ceiling win- since April, among veterans in homeless, making Houston’s overall ing for the city’s and 2014, with by the term itself, tenants stay dows as Collins, a former Marine, exceeding the goal the city, which has Phoenix the homeless popula- 721 homeless 3,032 former for good. In practice, and con- discussed his guest’s clarity of of 100 set in the more than 4,200 nation’s first city to tion by almost 40 veterans by the servicemembers trary to the criticism that such purpose. spring. Housing former service- eliminate veterans’ percent. Among end of this year. placed in per- housing amounts to “veteran “What often happens in the po- advocates and members who homelessness the remaining 681 Federal agencies manent housing. welfare,” the Commons staff litical arena is like a Baskin-Rob- city officials have lack permanent in that category. homeless veterans will cover $4.2 Several hous- encourages residents to rein- bins experience. An issue comes announced a joint housing, the larg- Among former ser- who were counted million of the tab, ing projects are tegrate into their communities up and it’s the flavor of the day, initiative to move est such popula- vicemembers who in a survey in Jan- which includes underway across and families as their recovery so everybody comes together and 424 homeless tion in the country. lack permanent uary 2014, more construction of the city as officials evolves. says, ‘This isn’t right and we have veterans off the The agreement, housing but are than half were two permanent seek to place “The goal is for them to to do something about it,’ ” he streets by year’s reached in a law- not considered in the process of supportive housing the remaining reach independence,” Haycook said. end. suit that accused chronically home- receiving housing communities for 1,300 homeless said. “It isn’t something that’s “Then the following day there’s the VA of neglect- less, the city’s by September. 127 veterans. The veterans. forced. But we want them to a new issue and everybody says the ing homeless population fell remaining veterans eventually live in the commu- same thing, and nobody pays at- veterans, also calls from 187 in 2011 will be placed in nity again without the need for the intensive services we give tention to yesterday’s issue. That’s for the creation of to 48 last year. existing affordable them here.” why it’s good to have people like permanent sup- housing. Blaine Ware found himself Ken. He doesn’t let you forget.” portive housing homeless after the death of For someone who once made a on a 400-acre VA living by seeking the laughter and his girlfriend three years ago. campus in West The former Marine, who left affirmation of strangers, Leslie, Los Angeles. 57, demurs when praised for his the service in 1983 after four advocacy. He diverts credit to years, initially resisted asking Dowling and her VA colleagues, He soon picked up a part-time for help. to Petee and ProMedica, to Col- job at the post office and enrolled “It was hard,” said Ware, 55, lins and other elected officials, to in a counseling course for do- who grew up in Dayton, Ohio. the county’s housing authority and mestic violence that grants him “I’m supposed to serve others, Veterans Service Commission. visitation with his kids. A local not have others serve me.” Yet “I’m not that smart. Really — nonprofit donated a bed, recliner his time at the Commons has that’s not fake humility,” he said, and a handful of other furnishings enabled him to land a job at a his gray ponytail spilling down for his apartment, and though the retail clothing chain and pre- beneath a porkpie hat, a pair of space still appears more empty pare for moving out in the next red-framed sunglasses perched than occupied, the comforts sur- year or two. on the brim. He talked in the rapid pass those of a Cadillac. “I’ve been fortunate to have cadence of a man who, in addition “Having this place has been a this opportunity to put my life to managing his nonprofit endeav- big relief,” said Johnson, 27, who back together,” he said. “I’m ors, must squeeze enough minutes wore a blue T-shirt imprinted with not sure what I would have from the day to run a small head- the words “I Am... Appreciated.” done otherwise.” hunting firm. “I’m very simple, “I know an apartment doesn’t For Travis Goodman, who and so when I see a problem, I look change everything, and I know I lost so many years to alcohol for a simple solution.” have a long way to go. But being and drugs and self-inflicted Leslie, who grew up in Perrys- here makes it easier to focus on inertia, the Commons repre- burg and lives in Toledo with his what I need to do to turn things sents redemption. He plans to wife, keeps an office on the ground around. When you don’t have a collect his GED later this year floor of a business center convert- place to live, you’re just thinking and switch to full-time work, and if he saves enough money, ed from an old shopping mall. He /Stars and Stripes about survival.” has a view of a parking lot. On the MARTIN KUZ Dowling regards permanent the man who once skulked into wall behind his desk hangs a photo Ken Leslie, left, the founder of Veterans Matter, talks with Greg housing as essential to guiding houses hopes to someday buy of the late folk singer Harry Chap- Johnson, an Iraq War veteran, last month in Johnson’s apartment in former servicemembers toward one. “It’s only by luck that I didn’t in, one of his three heroes together Toledo, Ohio. Leslie’s Toledo-based organization paid the $540 rent VA support services and, in turn, die,” he said. “I got a second with Irish songwriter Bob Geldof deposit that helped Johnson move into the space in September. restoring their dignity. She de- and John Mellencamp. scribed Veterans Matter as relent- shot. I’m not going to let it pass.” He reveres the trio less for their “I don’t think of John Mellen- and wash up in the bathroom. less in pursuing a mission that music than for their humanitar- camp as a star. I consider him a Johnson deployed to Iraq in may mean life instead of death. [email protected] ian work. Like Chapin before him, comrade in arms,” he said. He 2007. A year removed from high “These men and women are Twitter:@MartinKuz Geldof has fought to end world held up his hands as if clasping school, he belonged to an Army either going to die on the streets hunger; Mellencamp cofounded a basketball and moved them to- flag detail at Camp Liberty in or we can give them a place to Farm Aid in 1985. The annual ward each other. “What I try to do Baghdad that took part in memo- live and help them regain control benefit concert for family farmers is sort of be a translator between rial ceremonies for fallen troops. of their lives,” she said. “They inspired Leslie to launch his Tent these two worlds and get them a The duty weighed on him as the served their country. I think we City project five years later. little closer. Because in the end, months passed. owe it to them to get them housed During a tour stop in Toledo in we’re all at the same level.” “Even though I wasn’t going out- as fast as we can, and that’s what 2007, Mellencamp visited the Tent side the wire much, seeing those Ken does.” City venue to meet with homeless ‘A big relief’ bodies going home does have an The cause animates Leslie. residents. Leslie forged a bond effect on you,” he said. “You start Driving to a meeting after leaving with him, and the singer has re- Leslie stepped inside Greg John- to think, ‘Could I be next?’ ” Johnson’s apartment, he received corded a public service announce- son’s apartment and shook hands He returned to Toledo following a call from a VA social worker in ment to promote Veterans Matter. with the Iraq War veteran while his honorable discharge in 2009, Dallas. She asked if he could cover Similar support from Ice-T, Susan clapping him on the shoulder. and over the next five years his a $250 rent deposit for a veteran Sarandon and other entertainers “What’s up, bitch?” Leslie said. life imploded in slow motion. By who had qualified for the voucher has raised thousands of dollars in Both men laughed as Johnson re- last spring, he was unemployed program. “Yup, no problem,” he donations and extended the group’s plied in kind. and estranged from his wife, and said. “The check will go out this presence into Indiana, Massachu- The Toledo native moved into the county had taken custody of afternoon.” The entire exchange setts, Texas and Washington. the one-bedroom unit on the city’s his three young children after po- lasted under a minute. Leslie’s emphasis on recruit- west side last fall after Veterans lice charged him with domestic A couple of hours later, sitting at his desk, Leslie slipped the check ing the famous to crusade for the Matter paid the $540 rent deposit. assault. MARTIN KUZ/Stars and Stripes anonymous arises from a populist He had spent the summer living Johnson found renewed hope into an envelope. He looked up and sensibility. He believes that celeb- out of a 2001 Cadillac DeVille. His when he connected with Dowl- smiled. Blaine Ware, a former Marine rities, by illuminating a hidden wardrobe consisted of two pairs ing and her team with the VA in “Another veteran housed. Boom. who left the service in 1983, struggle, can motivate Americans of pants and a few T-shirts that he August. Gaining a fixed address Done.” has lived at the Commons at to care about those who served stashed in the trunk. He drove to a month later freed him to begin [email protected] Livingston in Columbus, Ohio, and who now live on the streets. a Rite Aid each morning to shave rebuilding his future. Twitter: @MartinKuz since 2012.