Neil Karwath, RN

It was summertime, and I was at the San Luis Obispo VA Clinic. I was talking to nurse Neil and (not really expecting any information because it wasn't a medical issue) asked if there was anything he knew about housing, since I was about to leave where I was living for 8 years. I had no prospects of finding anything that I could afford. He gave me the address of SSVF. He could tell I was doubtful that they could be of help. He spent some time gently encouraging me to stop there on my way home. He gave me good directions for finding them. Because of his encouragement, I went there. It turned out not only could they help pay for my housing, but it was also in the same town as my support system. I was about to be homeless, which had never happened to me before, and I'm in my 70s with only social security for income and $3000 in my bank account. That experience really touched me.