My name is Chad Elbandagji and I am the Veterans Outreach Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles. I am also a veteran of the United States Army where I proudly served my nation during a time of war. After leaving the service, I struggled with PTSD and because of that I briefly dealt with homelessness. Being an AmeriCorps*VISTA has not only given me the chance to directly change the lives of our veterans, but it has also been a source of peace and healing for me.

Since joining Habitat for Humanity, I have engaged countless military and veteran families, and also educated the community on how to truly support our veteran population. I have been on National Public Radio, representing Habitat for Humanity, to discuss solutions and to help come up with ways the community can come together to support the veterans. I have had the honor of being a founding member of the VetWorking Community Partners Committee, the largest group of veteran focused organizations in Southern California that is dedicated to finding positive opportunities for our veterans.

One amazing partnership is with The Home Depot Foundation, where we are able to perform critical home repairs on veterans’ homes in the community. This can include anything from roof repair, to ease of access modifications like railing and ramps. Some veterans are injured and it is difficult to take a shower or bath with dignity. Through the Repair Corps program, we are able to modify injured warrior’s bathrooms so that they can enjoy the simple luxury of bathing without assistance.

During the week of Veterans Day 2011, I was able to coordinate teams from all five branches of the US Military to volunteer and perform repairs on a World War II veteran’s house. Due to inadequate roofing, when it rained, it rained on him and no veteran should have to live that way. Through our combined efforts in the community, WWII Veteran Herman Smith's house was repaired. Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles is in the process of completing 24 other veterans homes with critical home repairs similar to this one, while engaging active military personnel to help volunteer alongside veteran homeowners on these projects.

I have partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs and some of the biggest Veterans Organizations in the country to help identify veterans in the community who are in need of the communities support. These vital partnerships will continue to be a source of healing for veterans, and is a milestone I will cherish long after I finish my term with AmeriCorps.

Through friendly cooperation with other organizations in the community, we can end the nightmare of veteran homelessness and veteran poverty in our country. This is the motivation that drives me forward -- this is why I am an AmeriCorps*VISTA.