Bay Pines VA provides various resources for Veterans experiencing homelessness with the understanding that each Veteran’s road to recovery is built differently. For Air Force Veteran Kerry Schmid, her path was paved with perseverance, dedication and selflessness.
In April 2023, the Largo Elks Foundation donated a Welcome Home Starter Kit to Schmid, making her its 100th Veteran to receive assistance with a new beginning.
“For the past six years, we’ve been working with staff at Bay Pines VA to make sure previously homeless Veterans receive the essentials anyone would need when moving into a new home,” said Largo Elks Foundation Committee Chairman Robert Behm. “There are many homeless Veterans in the Tampa Bay area, and it’s really touching to be able to support them in any way we can.”
Schmid, who has battled with alcoholism since 2008, moved into her own place shortly after graduating from Bay Pines VA’s Domiciliary May 1. To help her prepare, the Largo Elks Foundation donated a full bed set, toiletries, household cleaning supplies and more to the former radar air traffic controller.
“VA saved my life and I am so grateful.”
“I came here with a suitcase,” Schmid said, holding back tears. “Soon I’ll be moving into my own place. Words can’t describe what this means to me. VA saved my life, and I am so grateful for everyone who supported me through my recovery.”
The Domiciliary is an inpatient treatment program designed to provide state-of-the-art high-quality residential rehabilitation and treatment services for Veterans who live with severe medical conditions, mental illness or addiction. Prior to her stay in the Domiciliary, Schmid was enrolled in the Substance Abuse Treatment Program. Shortly after leaving the program, she relapsed into addiction after encountering a scenario that reignited her PTSD.
“I used drinking to cope, and just like that I was back on the streets. That went on for a while until one day I called my former case manager and told her, ‘I need help’.”
After a decade and a half of cycling between homelessness, rehab and shelters, Schmid did not want to live that way anymore. During her stay in the Domiciliary, Schmid (in the center wearing a black shirt in the photo above) fully devoted herself to recovery.
“If nothing good is coming from my actions, I take a minute.”
“All my life, I’ve been a person who reacts. Now I can stop and think about whether anything good will come from my actions. If the answer is no, then I can sit back and take a minute,” she said. “Another thing I’ve learned is that being sober does not equal being easy. I’m aware that if I drink now, I will lose everything. The main part of recovery is reintegrating and becoming a productive member of society. That knowledge helps me push past the hurdles.”
As she looks toward the future, Schmid intends to continue leaning on the tools she’s acquired. In August, she will graduate from a learning institution that’s funded by the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program for Educational Institutions. Completing this program will make way for Schmid to have multiple avenues for employment.
Kerry Schmid would like to pay forward what she’s received by advocating and providing resources for Veterans like herself.
“The hardest thing to do when you’re in the pit is to ask for help because you don’t feel like you deserve it. I dug deep to get to the root cause of my drinking and I discovered so much. Today, I can say I love Kerry. I have choices. I have friends who check up on me. I have a place to call home. Today, I feel worthy.”
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