Bringing a World of Hope to Those Who Served

It’s hard to find a better example of “hero” than Sgt. Brian Neill.

In 2007, Sgt. Neill, a twenty-year National Guard member, deployed to Camp Tallil in Iraq. In his two tours the 42-year old weapons expert always went the extra mile for his younger fellow soldiers. He was there for a fellow Bravo Company Specialist who collapsed while responding to an IED attack. Sgt. Neill saved his life.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Neill was under extreme stress himself. Back home, his son had been hit by a drunk driver and suffered severe injuries. While worrying day and night about his son, Sgt. Neill experienced repeated nearby IED explosions and daily, grinding physical exertion as a gunner. Today Brian is back home with his family, but he lives with traumatic brain injury and nerve damage as a result of his military service and can’t work.

Last fall, the Neills’ home of 20 years needed extensive repairs before winter set in. But with both father’s and son’s medical expenses and extended unemployment, the family could not afford them.

Twin Cities Habitat was there to help. Crews of volunteers fixed the foundation, replaced the roof, poured a new sidewalk, and painted the siding. Brian and his wife are so thankful.

“The help was HUGE,” they said – not only in making their home warmer and safer, but in warming their hearts through the amazing generosity of Habitat volunteers.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is determined to empower Veterans to succeed. Last year, we developed our Veterans Initiative, and in November 2012 became the first nonprofit in the state to acquire Yellow Ribbon status – which means we are accredited by the VA to provide services to military families. We’re helping Veterans through our many different programs: financial literacy training and homeownership classes, home repair and disability modifications, and mortgage foreclosure prevention counseling.

We also offer Veterans a way to connect – with fellow service members and with their communities. Volunteering with other Veterans on a regular basis, former soldiers can regain a sense of purpose and develop supportive friendships. With the leadership skills they’ve gained in the military, they have a lot to offer to their home communities.

Since July 2012, over 600 Veterans have volunteered with Twin Cities Habitat. We have a regular Veterans Crew that rolls up its collective sleeves once a month to help others in need. Members tell us that the laughter and camaraderie on site is a tremendous pick-me-up. That’s the essence of Habitat: uniting people in a shared mission of service. Lifting trusses on a Habitat build site is sure to lift the spirit as well.