Homeless Veteran Granted New Lease On Life In Mission Viejo

MISSION VIEJO, CA — An Orange County deputy helped change the life of an area homeless veteran this fall. Though it took months of research and effort and to find the right way to help him, a former homeless of both the Army and Navy now has a place to call home in Mission Viejo.

As of the 2019 Point in Time survey, Orange County had a total of 6,860 homeless residents. Of those, 222 were military veterans. In Mission Viejo, 22 homeless residents were recorded as living within the city limits. To many, the man inside the rusted out van with curtained windows was just another number.

But every homeless person has a unique story. The man living inside, known to all as Vern, was no different, as Quality of Life Deputy Dana Chaney discovered. Her job is to be the first line of communication between the sheriff’s department and the area’s homeless population. In 2018, she was voted deputy of the year by her department.

Though Vern made a simple request of anyone happening by his van, offering a portion of his story and just asking for peace and quiet from those who might find his presence distasteful to their neighborhoods, Chaney knocked on his door and offered to lend a hand. His sign was simple and to the point, reading:

The sheriff’s deputy learned that Vern witnessed of some of our nation’s greatest war battles and most significant defeats.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Mission Viejo Police Services Lt. Quyen Vuong, he served our country from 1960 to 1987.

But times fell hard on the veteran.

“He’s lived in the 1970 Volkswagen van for 10 years,” Chaney said.

Vern’s rusty van, in ill repair, was one of his few possessions and the only place Vern could call home.

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Chaney, tasked with working with the area’s homeless and determining how best to help them, first met Vern almost a year ago.

Unlike those who shooed him away from corners, forcing him from his parking space to seek other areas to rest, Chaney listened to Vern’s story.

Invited into his van, she learned how he served in the U.S. Navy, the National Guard and Army Reserve. Vern was a Sergeant First Class when he fought in Vietnam. He showed her photos of his time in the service, and Chaney saw how carefully his military uniform rested on the front seat.

He had food, blankets and a van full of clothes, she said.

What he didn’t have, she offered.

“I gave him a hygiene kit and warm socks,” Chaney said. Even more, when he agreed to her offer of helping him find another place to live, she also got in touch with the Veterans Administration of Orange County.

For months, Chaney stayed in contact to keep up with Vern. She learned that he offered space in his van to a woman who needed a place to stay once in a while. Vern considered the woman his caregiver.

Chaney went to work for Vern, taking the time to earn his trust as well as put together a plan to end his homelessness.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department partnered with Mercy House, a non-profit that provides housing and supportive services for Orange County’s homeless residents, as well as to the Presbyterian Church of the Master. Mission Viejo Mayor Greg Raths, also a veteran, promised his help as well.

Through that outreach, Vern found a new direction for his life. Thanks to the church, his van was sold, and he was able to purchase a car that works.

They helped him find housing, and he was given the keys to a home of his own. His caregiver friend will have a place to stay there, with him, ending the homeless plight for both.

Thanks to donations from residents and area businesses, he has housewares, local businesses are donating furniture and he sleeps in a real bed. He has heat, running water, food in his refrigerator and pride in his heart.

“Vern allowed us to share his story to show his appreciation for our group effort, and to bring awareness,” Vuong said.

What’s more, he has friends who will continue to look out for him and ensure the 85-year-old veteran is afforded the good life he earned through his military service.

A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to ending homelessness.

“Outreach is not as simple as driving someone to a shelter or providing them food and clothing,” Vuong said. Outreach, as shown by Chaney, is about building trust, relationships and following through on commitments.