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Army Veteran Achieves His American Dream

by Opportunity House

Jun 01, 2022

“It wasn’t easy, but I was determined,” said Nathan, sharing his path to home-ownership. This former Army Veteran and Supportive Services for Veteran Families graduate, knows the value of hard work and perseverance.

Nathan grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania and graduated from Reading High School in 1972. He enrolled in college to avoid the draft, but eventually enlisted in the Army in 1975.

After his service, Nathan worked a variety of jobs and in 1989, he met his wife Ruth while they both worked at Boscov’s warehouse. They married in 1992 and now have 3 daughters.

While they were a happy family, things weren’t always easy. Ruth juggled work and home responsibilities and their household income would fluctuate. The family would move around to find affordable housing. Eventually, the family had to split up to keep a roof over their heads.

In 2015, thanks to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program at Opportunity House, Nathan and his family were able to rent a home on Cotton Street. This gave the family the stability they needed to focus on long-term strategies to improve their lives.

In 2020, they decided to start looking for a home they could own and their landlord was selling his property. The landlord made a very reasonable offer and they purchased the property in 2021.

Becoming a homeowner felt impossible in 2015 and then six years later it became their reality.  Nathan says being a homeowner is personal, “We feel more secure and stable. It’s the first time I can call this place home.”

This year, Supportive Services for Veteran Families will provide rental and utility assistance and other supportive services to 250 Veteran families who are literally homeless or facing eviction. Thanks to your generous support, our clients make lasting changes that improve their lives.

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