I am writing this letter to 5 Star Veterans Center saying,
"Thank You", for helping me when I couldn't get help anywhere else.

My story begins in November 2019 when I walked into 5 Star Veterans Center seeking shelter.

When I first met the staff there, I was under weight and wearing the same clothes for several days, and my hair was long and matted. As I sat there trying to fill out my application, I was approached by two staff members. They were so kind, understanding and offered me some food, hoping to break the nervousness I was experiencing at that time, I don't really remember much else.

The staff referred me for an evaluation and after a few moments of speaking with the mental health department and I had to decided to seek a higher level of care. I knew that my mental status needed some help. I was taken to a local rehabilitation center, Wekiva Springs, and thank goodness they were able to accept me because I was going to be back on the street at Christmas.

I stayed at Wekiva Springs for more than 3 weeks and I was allowed visitation, but without any family nearby I was afraid I would not have any visitors.
That is when Five Star went above and beyond for me. One of the case managers brought me 3 sets of new clothes, shoes, socks and everything you could possibly need while in treatment. The staff at Five Star were my guardian angels and they told me that they would not give up on me.

After I completed my stay at Wekiva I was given the opportunity to go to Gainesville to further my wellness and regulate meds that I should have been taking all along. Even after leaving Jacksonville the case managers from Five Star kept in touch with me and then assisted me in fixing my family relationships. Because of my mental health issues my family didn't understand, and I had to put distance, not knowing that it was me that didn't understand.

Now that I am equipped with the proper tools I could return home, to see my mom, but before I made that trip home, I wanted my mom to meet the people on the other end of the phone line that made all this possible.

There are no words that can express how grateful I am to Five Star Veterans Center and my guardian angel. (you know who you are). You saved me, my life and my family.