Veterans Rebuilding Life®

Reem, a spirited 9-year-old girl from Mosul, captured our hearts with her infectious energy. Her parents, understandably worried, noticed an unusual bone mass growing on her upper shoulder. This growth not only caused Reem considerable pain and discomfort, but also sparked fears of a potential malignant tumor. But, like so many families in the war-torn city of Mosul, they faced extreme hardship in securing medical assistance for their daughter. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of teams in New York, California, and Erbil, Veterans Rebuilding Life successfully raised the remaining $2,000 necessary to complete her surgery. During the agonizing two-week wait for the test results, we held our breath, hoping for the best. Finally, the results came back benign. The relief was palpable. With this burden lifted, Reem can freely swing her arms and embrace her summer break from school. It’s moments like these that remind us of the power of compassion and collective action in transforming lives.

United States Army Specialist Paris Carter served with distinction as an enlisted member of the 108th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Rifle Company, based in Utica, New York. This battalion played crucial roles in the global war on terror, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan, notably during the Battle of Samarra in October of 2004. Parts of the battalion also served in Afghanistan with the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and as a separate battalion assigned to RC West. Despite his years of dedicated military service, Specialist Paris Carter faced the challenges that many service members encounter during the transition to civilian life. He struggled to access the support services necessary to begin anew. Fortunately, a fellow veteran handed him a business card with a reassuring message: “They helped me get back on my feet; they can help you too.” Curious but unfamiliar with the name listed on the card, Veterans Rebuilding Life, Paris decided to reach out, even though it was late at night, expecting to leave a message. To his surprise, volunteers from Veterans Rebuilding Life answered his call promptly, providing him with the immediate assistance he desperately needed. Within just 48 hours, they arranged temporary housing for Paris and scheduled meetings with Veteran Service Officers to aid him in securing long-term housing, healthcare, and full time employment.

Samera, a 45-year-old wife and mother, found herself in a challenging situation. Samera resides in the district of Erbil, a community known for its generosity in accommodating more than 5 million displaced Iraqis, and an additional 300,000 Syrian refugees, during the peak of the ISIS conflict. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Erbil is now under severe economic strain as a result of the overwhelming population taking refuge in the district. Samera faced the risk of losing her vision in one eye due to an eye hemorrhage, a condition her family couldn’t afford to treat amidst financial struggles. Once again, our dedicated team raised the full $2,500 needed for her procedure. Samera made a complete recovery, bringing immense relief to her husband and children. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our tireless team in Iraq, our donors from the Assyrian migrant community of California, and our steadfast veteran supporters and their families across the United States for their unwavering support.

Humberto Rodriguez served honorably in both the United States Army, and the National Guard. At the age of 51, Humberto faced unexpected challenges and found himself homeless, alongside his faithful service dog, Rocky. After a rift with his brother in Florida, Humberto made the poignant decision to return to his roots in Queens, NY, hoping for a fresh start. Despite reaching out to various veteran support services, Humberto struggled to find the assistance he desperately needed. Late one Thursday evening, while navigating the streets of Queens with Rocky by his side, fate led him to the headquarters of Veterans Rebuilding Life (VRL) in Astoria. It was here that Humberto connected with VRL’s dedicated Veteran Service officers (VSO). The compassionate team at VRL wasted no time in providing Humberto with immediate help. They secured safe housing for the night and scheduled crucial appointments for him to access vital veteran support services the next day.

Meet Ruq’aya. A cheerful, two-year-old girl with sparkling eyes and soft, feathery hair. Ruq’aya was born in Mosul, Iraq. The city gained notoriety after it became the last stronghold of the terrorist organization: ISIS. Today the city remains in ruins as a result of the intense fighting that occurred during the final days of the war against ISIS. Unfortunate news for little Ruq’aya, who was born with a congenital heart defect. Left untreated, she would not survive to see her third birthday. Ruq’aya required an emergency surgical procedure to save her life. Medical personnel on the ground in Mosul contacted Veterans Rebuilding Life for assistance. Veterans Rebuilding Life members raised the $3,000 necessary to help cover the cost of Ruq’aya’s life-saving surgery. Ruq’aya’s parents expressed heartfelt gratitude upon completion of the successful medical procedure. Seen here is little Ruq’aya, post surgery, beaming in her bright yellow Mickey Mouse overalls. Veterans Rebuilding Life extends our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers on-the-ground in Iraq, our generous donors from the Assyrian community of California, and the unwavering support of America’s military veterans.