“I feel like a phoenix rising from the ashes of a past life to this new one”

Grady Kendall demonstrates this impact every day, because it changed his life for the better when life knocked him down.

Kendall enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1981. He served on the Coast Guard Cutter Westwind, an icebreaker vessel, until 1984. Kendall earned the rank of Seaman before transitioning back to the civilian world in 1986. 

In 1984, during a Deep Freeze expedition in the Weddell Sea, the Westwind suffered hull damage after slamming into an ice shelf. Its crew patched a 6-foot-tall, 140-foot-long tear before arranging complete repairs in South America. 

“We got caught in brash ice off the Antarctic coast during a mission,” said Kendall. “I was over the side with a fire hose, clearing ice away from the rudder. It was terrifying. You’re surrounded by ice. With the size of the tear, we didn’t know if we’d make it out.” 

Choosing VA  

In 2019, Kendall was dealing with untreated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and the pressure of caring for an ailing parent.

“I reached a critical point in my life,” said Kendall. “I was alone. My mom’s health was declining. I thought my only way out was suicide.”

Instead of suicide, Kendall chose to reach out to his Montana VA Health Care System mental health team and started treatment, which including counseling and medication.

“I finally told them about everything I had going on,” he said. “I didn’t hide it anymore. I finally started advocating for myself. The counseling sessions gave me tools to manage my anxiety, and the medication helped stabilize my mood.”

Losing his home

A couple of years later, in 2021, after his mother was placed in assisted living, Kendall’s family members evicted him from the place he called home due to financial disputes.

“I was suddenly homeless and had nowhere to go,” he said. “This period was tough on me, mentally. I was drowning with no way out.”

Reaching out to Montana VA 

Eager for help, Kendall once again turned to Montana VA. Their U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program and Volunteers of America played pivotal roles in helping Kendall.

“Volunteers of America helped put me in a hotel for about eight months while I was homeless,” he said. “Then, VA got me into Freedom’s Path, housing for at-risk Veterans. VA helped furnish the apartment and helped me apply for and get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to help with food.”

With his housing secure, Kendall was able to keep his VA health care appointments, meet with mental health care providers, manage his medications and connect with resources to file a claim for increased disability compensation.

“Once I got into Freedom’s Path, I became proactive, researching what I needed to do to find my own place,” said Kendall. “Having a roof over my head allowed me to set goals and plan for my future, like taking care of my mental and physical health, getting my VA benefits increased and securing a VA home loan.” 

A new beginning

Less than three years after losing his house, Kendall purchased his first home in 2024. 

“I’m proud of how far I’ve come,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it alone. I cannot express enough how thankful I am to VA and Volunteers of America, and of course the great people along my journey for the help offered to me.”

Kendall’s new home represents security and a fresh start.

“I feel like a phoenix rising from the ashes of a past life to this new one,” he said. “Having this space of my own has allowed me to reconnect with my daughter and grandson. They can come over now whenever they want, and there is no chaos. No one threatening to kick them out. I’ll say this: I sleep very well in my new place.”

VA’s Housing First approach 

Kendall’s experience highlights the goals of VA’s Housing First approach, which is based on the principle that by providing a secure place to live first, Veterans can focus on addressing other challenges, such as mental health, employment and social connections. 

VA’s Housing First approach has helped reduce Veteran homelessness by over 50% since 2010. 

VA’s specialized programs for homeless Veterans serve hundreds of thousands of homeless and at-risk Veterans each year. Independently and in collaboration with federal and community partners, VA programs provide Veterans with housing solutions, employment opportunities, health care, justice- and reentry-related services and more. Learn more about these programs at VA’s Programs for At-Risk Veterans and Their Families page.

Advice for fellow Veterans

Having risen from the ashes of hardship and homelessness, the Coast Guard Veteran has a positive message of hope for his fellow Veterans who are facing similar challenges.

“Be honest with and advocate for yourself,” said Kendall. “Use the resources available to you. The doctors and nurses, your case manager and the folks at VA want what’s best for you. You don’t have to go at it alone.” 

Veterans struggling with PTSD can begin by contacting their local VA or exploring the resources offered at the National Center for PTSD. If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk of homelessness, contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for help.

Jesus Flores is a writer and editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force and a Marine Corps Veteran.