At Caritas of Austin, we believe that no one who has served our country should face homelessness. Unfortunately, many veterans struggle after service, navigating health challenges, financial instability, or the difficulties of transitioning to civilian life. Due to these struggles, some find themselves without a safe place to call home.
Devina Escalera knows this reality firsthand. A Navy veteran who served from 2007 to 2014 aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, Devina completed two deployments before returning home. “In the military, you’re taught to be strong, to handle things on your own. Asking for help felt impossible,” she recalled. But when she faced challenges with housing and stability after leaving the service, she realized she needed support, and reaching out changed everything.
Through programs like HUD-VASH, a Veterans Assistance (VA) housing program that helps veterans secure stable homes and supportive services, Devina accessed the resources she needed. She secured stable housing, earned her bachelor’s degree, and built a life outside of the military that she could be proud of. “If it wasn’t for that help, I would have been in a very different place,” she said.
Today, Devina brings that lived experience to her work as a case manager and veteran specialist at Caritas of Austin. She understands the struggle and knows the hope that comes when someone finally gets the support they need. “I’ve been on the other side of it,” she said. “Seeing a veteran receive their own keys, their own space; it’s the greatest moment. That’s what keeps me coming back every day.”
Her empathy is rooted in experience. Many veterans hesitate to ask for help, feeling they must do it alone or that they don’t deserve support. Devina understands that instinct, but she also knows it doesn’t have to be that way. By guiding other veterans through Caritas’ housing and support programs, she shows that stability and independence are possible.
Stories like Devina’s remind us why our work matters. Serving those who have served is not just a commitment; it is a promise. A promise that veterans who sacrificed for our country will not be left behind. Every donation, every volunteer hour, and every act of support helps make that promise a reality.
Veterans have given so much to our country. At Caritas of Austin, we are honored to give back by providing safe, stable housing and the resources our neighbors need to thrive.
How You Can Help
- Make a gift to help veterans secure housing and services
- Volunteer your time to support programs for veterans
- Spread the word about Caritas’ mission and impact
Together, we can ensure that those who have served never face homelessness alone.
