By Barb Arland-Fye
A homeless veteran new to the area obtained a job and had enough money to rent an apartment through the VALOR Program of Humility of Mary Shelter Inc. in Davenport. When Cathy Jordan, VALOR’s program lead, visited with the vet a week later to see how things were going, he mentioned his back hurt. She discovered he’d been sleeping on the floor of his new apartment because he couldn’t afford to buy furniture. “He was too proud to say so,” said Jordan, who immediately contacted the ONE Foundation for assistance.
Within a short time, the vet had a bed, purchased from Bruce’s New and Used Furniture in downtown Davenport with a voucher from ONE Foundation. The seven-year-old nonprofit’s mission is to create an environment that allows people with disabilities to pursue and achieve their life’s goals and interests. New Choices, Inc., which provides services to individuals with special needs so that they can live as independently as possible, supports ONE Foundation.
Since 2005, ONE Foundation has assisted hundreds of individuals with modest needs such as a piece of furniture, bed sheets, household appliances, and rent deposit, said Jim Kay, president and chairman. Referrals for financial assistance must come through agencies that serve the individual needing help, which allows ONE Foundation to respond quickly to requests.
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