VA volunteers build home for Veteran

The saying, “We are here because of the brave,” was proudly acted out during a recent Habitat for Humanity home building for local Army Reserve Veteran Melissa Royal and her children.

Rolling up sleeves, trading in stethoscopes for hammers, and learning new craftsman skills is how the West Palm Beach VA team gave back on their day off.

Struggling to find a house for over a year, Royal was faced with the harsh reality of possibly having to leave the place she always had called home. With her last string of hope left, Habitat for Humanity saved her from moving out of the state and providing her a home of her very own in sunny West Palm Beach.

Over the course of eight months, she, too, will be putting carpenter gloves on to build her very own home as part of the Habitat for Humanity partnership. “I have a whole new gratitude for volunteering now,” Royal said. “I can’t thank enough all the volunteers coming out, but importantly, their time. I feel so excited and humbled by all those who have come together to build my home.”

Palm Beach VA home building volunteers

New home “Absolutely life changing.”

Watching the transformation from just dirt to cement poured and now a complete structure frame with a roof has been, “Absolutely life changing,” as put best by Royal’s son, Jaden Smith.

The weight has been completely lifted from the Veteran’s shoulders to provide her children a home of their own. This feeling of relief and stability is one that is naturally felt once Habitat for Humanity steps in to make the dream come true.

That dream would not be possible without the community coming together. Manuela Guerrero, volunteer engagement coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, believes, “You have to have a passion and a big heart to want to be a part of this. Today is the first time VA is meeting Melissa, but deep down they understand her struggle. The fact that they are part of today is truly an amazing energy. It is a powerful moment.”

This new home is a foundation where Royal and her children will set their roots and grow. To be a part of something that will impact Veterans and their families for decades to come is one of the missions VA continues to pursue to go beyond health care to support Veterans right down the road.

“Serving Veterans is my passion.”

One of the VA home builder volunteers, Arti Pendaya, social work section chief for West Palm Beach VA, said with a wide grin, “My job is my passion, serving Veterans is my passion. This opportunity is grassroots, this is what we should be doing. This is equally important as our healthcare services, to be in the lives of our Veterans that we serve.”

As each nail was hammered and each plank of wood measured, the VA team exchanged laughter and pats on the back with one another, but most importantly with Royal and her son. The team took home more than home building lessons. They learned about a local Veteran and her family, a special connection when formed outside of a health care appointment.

Taking a step back and looking at the volunteers piecing the last parts of her roof together, Royal said, “We Veterans are not forgotten. I have a new appreciation for VA.”

With just a few home finishings needed, Royal and her children soon will enjoy a backyard for grilling, a roof over their heads and the security of a home to call their own.