One of the many things we’re proud of at Veterans Outreach Center is being able to provide a space of comfort for our nation’s heroes. Each year, more than 80 homeless veterans find a place to call home at Richards House.

Albert, 39, served as a Marine in the Horn of Africa as part of an anti-terrorism task force from 2004 to 2005. The return to civilian life was difficult for him.

“I moved around the East coast for several years; made some bad decisions,” he said.

Five months ago, Albert landed in detox in a Rochester hospital.

“I was really desperate. When I was told I was being discharged from the hospital, I was terrified. I told them I’m a veteran and have nowhere to go, and they told me about the Veterans Outreach Center.”

Soon afterward, Albert took up residence at Richards House and began his journey to a new, sober life.

“You pull up on South Ave. and see this brick building and the white on the side, and I’m thinking, ‘What’s this?’ And then you get inside and it’s this huge place with all these rooms. It was a shock, a pleasant surprise. Now, I am more than grateful that this place exists.”

Albert quickly took advantage of the host of services available to the veterans. His days are packed. He attends group support meetings, talks to a therapist every week and a sponsor every day, and even participates in a new program called Trybe, which each Tuesday takes a group of vets to the woods for eco-therapy.

“We’ve got case managers I know care about us,” Albert said. “I know they work from home, after hours, on their weekends, on their days off for us. They go out of their way to make sure we know how to cope. They told me about Veterans Upward Bound and Peer Support, and I got involved in that. I learned that I could pursue the career that I always wanted, to become a Peer Support Specialist. And now I’ve completed the training and even have a tentative job offer.”

What’s the most important thing VOC has offered him?

“Honestly,” Albert said, “hope. And peace of mind, encouragement, and self-confidence. When I first got here, I was really desperate and hopeless. I feel like I’ve got a sense of purpose now.

“There was a long time when I wasn’t sure I could ever be sane because of the decisions I kept making. I know I can do better now. I can be better.”