One of those veterans receiving a hand-up is Wesley Schenk, a Navy veteran who after a car accident ended up in a downward spiral when the pain medication to help with his recovery took over his life.

“That lasted for 18 years till the government decided, you know, not going to hand out pain pills anymore," Schenk said. "And when that happened, I sought my prescriptions elsewhere."

“I was at the Joseph house for 19 months and doing really well,” Schenk said. “And they thought I'd be a good candidate for Easterseals peer support program.”

He suddenly found himself helping other veterans and began his retraining in the IT field he once had a successful stint. Through Easterseals he was able to land a new job and restart his career and his life.

“Between Easterseals and the Joseph house, they helped me see that I was worth it," Schenk said. "And I was going to be able to build up and do something good with my life."