‘You Can Do This’: VA Programs Provide Veteran with Second Chance

He also repairs the lives of other Veterans, serving as a mentor through Vocational Rehabilitation, an arm of VA helping those with disabilities overcome barriers to employment.

Martin said he is all too familiar with the challenges of adjusting to civilian life following military service. Before he found his calling as a mentor and carpenter, Martin’s journey was a tumultuous one. As a felon who struggled with homelessness, he didn’t know if he’d ever be given a second chance, he said.

He found that with VA.

Martin transformed his life. Now he wants other Veterans to know help is available at VA. His advice to his peers who are having a tough time: “You can do this.”

Peacetime Trauma

After dropping out of high school and entering the military at age 17, Martin worked as a peacetime soldier for three years, serving as a supply specialist. As he tells it, he enlisted as a boy and left as a man, experiencing some traumatic episodes along the way.

“So many of the peacetime soldiers won’t even advocate for themselves in any way because they think they have to be a combat Veteran,” said Martin. “But we [Veterans] all have our struggles.”

After completing his tour of duty, he started running with biker gangs and using drugs. He eventually ended up doing a couple of stints in jail, where he first heard about VA services from members of the Veteran Justice Outreach program.

Upon his release he bounced around from couch to couch, having no real home of his own. Eventually, he made the decision to come to VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

Second Chances

After getting connected to medical services in Sepulveda, VA staffers suggested Martin become a resident at West LA VA Medical Center’s Domiciliary (DOM), a Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP), where Veterans come for treatment for mental health and substance use issues.

As a felon with one strike, “there was really nobody else out there who was going to be willing to give me a shot,” said Martin.

After spending 16 months at the DOM, he moved on to the nearby New Directions transitional housing program. While living there he realized he was ready to go back to work.

Success as a CWT

Carpentry had been Martin’s longtime civilian trade, and he put those skills to work with the on-campus Vocational Rehabilitation Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program, which helps Veterans living with mental or physical health issues to obtain and maintain gainful employment. “You gotta [sic] be grateful, even when it gets hard,” he said of the process.

The CWT program has three branches: Transitional Work, Community Based Employment Services and Supported Employment. Martin participated in Transitional Work.

From there, his work performance earned him a permanent position with the engineering team. His supervisor, Andrew Lee, said Martin is the first ex-felon Veteran the department has ever hired. “Danny is motivated and humble. He gets along with everybody.”

P.J. Stigers, VA’s section chief for Vocational Rehabilitation whose purview includes all aspects of the CWT program, praised Martin for his leadership qualities.

“His willingness to openly discuss his own struggles, setbacks, and triumphs has created a sense of camaraderie and unity within the group,” said Stigers, adding that Martin has even taken on the responsibility of leading discussions and facilitating support sessions. “His empathetic nature and ability to connect with his peers on a personal level have made him an invaluable asset to our Voc Rehab services.”

For Lee, who’s been with VA for almost 29 years and has been managing CWTs for the last decade, working with Veterans provides an array of benefits, he said. “When I became a supervisor, I really encouraged the hiring of Veterans.”

After Martin’s time living on campus, he found permanent supportive housing in Tarzana, Calif. through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - VA Supportive Housing (VASH) program. HUD-VASH pairs subsidized rent vouchers from HUD with supportive services from VA. Martin stayed in HUD-VASH housing for one year.

Two years ago, he moved into an apartment he secured on his own. “I love it,” he said.

Fatherly Love

Throughout Martin’s journey, he said one thing above all others has remained steadfast: his love for his four sons. They’re his support system and have remained so throughout his transition. 

“I ask myself, what would I want any one of my sons to do in this situation?” That instant guidance keeps him on a positive path and motivates him daily.

“The greatest joy I have is my kids. And my next greatest joy is that my kids have seen me turn this thing around,” said Martin.  

Mentoring Other Veterans

For the nearly four years he’s been working in engineering, Martin said he has been mentoring other CWT Veterans, helping them get back on their feet and learn crucial employment skills. Many have gone on to get jobs with VA.

“I go out of my way to try to make this thing fun,” he said of the work he does for VA. “I just want them to do well.”

In his career, Martin goes above and beyond. He recently received a promotion to work leader carpenter, making his mentorship role official.

Martin’s leadership skills have been beneficial for numerous other Veterans, helping them navigate the CWT experience and move on in their careers, said Stigers. “Daniel’s commitment to helping others is truly commendable, and I am confident that he will continue to be a beacon of hope and support in the Veteran community.”

Lee hopes Martin’s story can encourage other departments to hire Veterans.

“This is a Veteran hospital, you have Veterans in your backyard,” said Lee, adding that many of them just need a second chance.

For Martin, that second chance changed his life.

“At the end of the day, I am so grateful to VA because they provided me with a starting point and gave me some tools,” Martin said. “A little bit of courage, a little bit of strength … I got lucky.”