Charlie was a three time combat Marine Corps veteran when he began working in the oil fields of Texas. When the economy turned, Charlie lost his job and eventually his home. His wife and children came to California to live with his wife's family, and Charlie went to Michigan to stay with other relatives. After a year apart, Charlie reunited with his wife in California, but the family did not have a place to call their own. Charlie began living in his vehicle where he stayed until he connected with the Strong Families Strong Children collaborative, a coalition of nonprofits that partner with Families Forward to serve military-connected families.

After completing the intake process with Families Forward, Charlie and his family moved into an interim housing unit. This short-term housing solution provided the space and stability needed for Charlie and his wife to refocus on the immediate needs of their children and their own long-term goals. With the help of Families Forward, Charlie applied for the Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Section 8 voucher and submitted an application to a local union for pipefitting in hopes that it would assist him in re-entering his previous career field. The family successfully obtained a VASH voucher and moved into an affordable housing unit in Capistrano Beach. Charlie was also accepted into the union and started school and a new job in January 2018.