From Homeless to a New Life

Most typically, veterans who seek help at New Horizons have become homeless due to factors affecting all homeless individuals:

• Shortage of affordable housing
• Inability to make a livable income
• Lack of access to health care

In addition, a number of homeless veterans’ hardships are compounded by lack of social and family support. Many have lived on the streets for years and have developed chronic health issues.

Therefore, New Horizons offers a wraparound program, an intervention strategy designed to address each veteran’s individual needs by “wrapping” a comprehensive array of services “around” the veteran. TLS’ rules and regulations reflect a philosophy of self-help, discipline and reward. Finding sustainable employment is stressed. Staying clean and sober and taking medications as prescribed are requirements.

Most services are provided by collaborating with federal, state and local agencies, primarily the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), VA hospitals and clinics and groups within the McHenry County Mental Health Board network.

TLS’ aspirations for its clients:

• Regained hope
• The ability to rely on themselves
• Reconnect with family and friends
• Gain knowledge about the paths to physical and mental wellness
• Be in charge of their well being
• Advocate for themselves
• Find meaning in their lives

TLS believes that much of what is achieved at New Horizons is because of camaraderie among the residents themselves. They encourage each other as they share meals, experiences and friendships. Following are recent successes:

• Being accepted to and enrolling in Loyola University
• Enrolling in and graduating from McHenry County College
• Returning to the nursing profession

Residents who graduate are encouraged to continue work with a case manager through an aftercare program that offers relapse prevention, links to community services and access to New Horizons’ food pantry and laundry facility.