‘My Life Is Back Together’: Veteran Finds Hope Again with Help from VA
Four years ago, Army Veteran Marco Alvarez hit rock bottom. The former infantryman, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, fell into a deep depression after separating from his wife of 20 years.
“I lost my job, my house, everything. I tried to commit suicide twice,” said Alvarez. “It was really, really bad.”
As he struggled with his mental health, Alvarez disappeared for an entire year, losing connection with his loved ones, including his children. “I disconnected from everybody,” he said.
Eventually his sister was able to locate him, and talked him into seeking help from VA.
‘Ask for Help’
Alvarez went to the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and started the paperwork to get housing through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program, which combines subsidized vouchers from HUD with supportive services from VA. He also began going to therapy regularly.
After moving into HUD-VASH housing, Alvarez got connected to other VA resources, including VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation department, also known as Voc Rehab.
Vocational Rehabilitation provides job training, support, access to employers and community partners, and other supportive resources to help Veterans achieve competitive employment as an essential part of their recovery.
Voc Rehab has a program called Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) which provides several programs for Veterans with different needs. Alvarez was referred to the Community Based Employment Services Program (CBES).
“The goal is to help Veterans seek competitive employment of their interest,” said Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) Lakeshia Gill, who’s been working alongside Alvarez throughout his journey.
“We’re there as a form of support to assist Veterans in achieving their employment goals, as well as ensuring Veterans are connected to the proper resources to make sure their needs are being met while assessing their overall wellbeing in collaboration with their treatment teams,” Gill said.
From OSHA to Employment
Alvarez already had experience in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and had even taught air conditioning courses years before. “That’s what I love the most,” he said.
Through CBES he got enrolled in an OSHA 30 Construction training, a two-week safety education course for those looking to work in the construction industry.
VRS Steven Alexander spearheaded the creation of the training program. With so much Veteran housing construction happening on the West LA VA Medical Center campus, he thought it would be a great opportunity for Veterans to gain valuable skills that could lead directly to a job.
“These Veterans want to work,” said Alexander. “Therapy is great, medication is great, healthcare is great, but at the end of the day they want to work.”
The course includes extensive OSHA instruction as well as training in fall protection, construction math, resume prep and more. These trainings are ongoing, and a number of Veterans have secured jobs after graduating, said Alexander.
The importance of incorporating community resources and partnerships like OSHA 30 in the Vocational Rehabilitation model is critical, said Voc Rehab Chief P.J. Stigers.
"By connecting individuals with local support systems, employers, and educational opportunities, we create a comprehensive network that enhances skill development, promotes independence, and strengthens long-term job retention,” he said. “These collaborations empower clients to access a broader range of services, aligning their personal goals with community-driven support."
When Alvarez graduated, he was introduced to employers constructing houses on campus who were looking to fill positions. He went through several interviews, and Optimum HVAC felt like a fit.
“The boss told me, ‘We’re going to start a project, just be patient,’” Alvarez said. In the meantime, Alvarez was persistent. Soon after, his persistence paid off.
“In September 2023 the boss called me and said, ‘I started a new building project at VA, are you interested?’”
The answer was yes, and in October 2023 Alvarez started his new position, working on Building 404, the future home to 72 units of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless Veterans like himself. Construction is scheduled to be complete in October of this year.
“If I didn’t have a house right now I would take one of these apartments,” he said. “I think what the VA is doing to get homeless Veterans off the streets and put them here, it’s great.”
New Life, New Beginning
Working on the housing project has been wonderful, Alvarez said. “It’s been quite an experience. The company and supervisors are awesome.”
Gill is proud of Alvarez, and happy to see how far he’s come. “He was so determined. There were challenges, but he hung in there and didn’t give up. He was proactive and had the self-discipline to achieve his goal.”
She added that Voc Rehab can be a critical form of support for Veterans, many of whom aren’t aware that these services are available to them.
It can also bring them toward greater self-sufficiency.
“Work helps the Veteran gain a sense of pride and self-satisfaction by reaffirming that they can support themselves,” said Alexander. “Employment provides income, and often benefits, that can support healthy lifestyle choices. Unemployment and underemployment limit these choices, and negatively affect both quality of life and overall health of the Veteran.”
These days, Alvarez is enjoying his job, his new car, and his home, which he shares with his new wife. “My life is back together. I have communication with my kids, we hang out more. My job is great. Life is great.”
To other Veterans who may be facing similar circumstances or having a hard time, Alvarez has some advice to share.
“I want them to know that the help is there. It takes time, but the help is right there for us. Don’t feel discouraged, don’t feel embarrassed, ask for help.”