Pride and dignity are the hallmarks of any Marine Corps veteran, but for so many years, Ken Thomas had to rely on others’ help to get by.

Thomas was homeless, had been out of work for four or five years and lived for a time at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

So when the 59-year-old Vietnam veteran received his first paycheck in years through a unique Shelter House employment program, it meant more than just the ability to pay for a meal on his own.

“It’s a sense of pride, honor and dignity back,” Thomas said. “No more handouts undefined you’re actually contributing to your own welfare.”

Today, Thomas is one of eight crew members tasked daily with cleaning the University of Iowa Community Credit Union’s gleaming new financial center in North Liberty. Thomas works for Fresh Starts, a janitorial business run by Shelter House as part of an innovative employment and housing program for homeless people. It’s the first of its kind in Iowa.

More at source: Desmoines Register

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