Army Veteran who escaped homelessness now giving back

Is it safe to say the kitchen is your home away from home? Yes, sir. It's safe to say that. So when you worked in the Army, you were a chef or a cook? Cook, yes. What's it like to serve veterans? Oh, it's heartwarming. It really is. Now, you said that you had spent a week just homeless. Right. One Friday to another Friday. How did that situation happen? Okay, I got behind in my rent and delay fees and this, that, and the other. And finally, before I was evicted, I left my place. What was that week like for you? Uncertainty, so weakness, uncertainty, not knowing, having no clue, no idea, nowhere to be, and thanks to the BOA, I got back on my feet. How did I get connected with Rudy? I had just taken this position, and I see this gentleman always picking up. The garbage bag is empty and trash and sweeping the floor and I thought that he was actually an employee here. He was like, no, he said, I'm just trying to pay back. I was like, so you're a resident here and he says, yeah, yeah, I'm just trying to help out, trying to pay back. He was filling out some applications and he asked me for some help filling out applications and I said, you don't have any references down there. He was like, well, I don't know anybody around here. He's like, well, you don't know me very well, I said, I see the kind of person you are. You're able to make that connection with Rudy, and now Rudy's able to connect with other veterans the same way you did too. Thank you. I got the greatest job in the world. When you started working here, what was that like? That was more enjoyable than ever, because I was able to return the favor they gave me. They gave me all these opportunities, now I'm here to provide opportunities for other veterans. Can't beat the feeling. And on top of that, you're working at the Whitney. Yes, yes. What is that like for you? That's great, too.