My name is Ron Lloyd, and I am an American Veteran. I served one 4-year hitch, and one 3-year hitch in the U.S. Army, Infantry, 11 bang bang, from 1976 to 1983.
In January 2015, due to a split up, I found myself living for a short time in my truck in a horse pasture. On one particularly depressing day, I found the Coffee Bunker. There I met Mr. Blackburn, one of the most compassionate men I had ever met. I told him my story and he promised to help. He directed me to the director of the John 316 Mission. When I went to check in, this man told me, “You are an escapist. You need to take control of your life and stop running away from your problems.” I know this sounds harsh but he was right. It changed my life.
Shortly after all this I had my first panic attack. I had no idea what it was, but it was completely debilitating. I went to the 41st Street clinic early one morning. I looked so bad they saw me immediately. Long story short, they got me into the 11th Street mental health clinic, and the counseling I received there made a real difference.
At the 11th Street clinic I met Adam and Alice from the Veterans Homeless program. They moved me into the Yale avenue Apartments, a veterans outreach and living facility. With their help and the continued help from the Coffee Bunker I have completely turned my life around. I now have my son with me, a house, truck, boxer and a cat. None of this would have been possible except for the first meeting with Mr. Blackburn, and the continuing support from everyone at the Coffee Bunker.
Thank you,
Ronald S. Lloyd
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