Reserve sailors assigned to the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Phoenix volunteered at U.S. Vets, a non-profit organization that focuses on veterans issues, with an ongoing renovation of a the Grand Vets Village building in Phoenix during Phoenix Navy Week, March 23.

"We have a lot of homeless veterans here that live on the streets and this a place that provides them not only a place to sleep but gain employment and get back on their feet," said Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Victor Berrelez, a Reservist for eight years with Naval Construction Group 1 in Port Hueneme, California, and a pastor at Mission Drive Baptist Church in Phoenix.

Seven sailors from the NOSC Phoenix helped remove obsolete furniture and carpet from one of the rooms at Grand Vets Village. The sailors also assisted in loading and unloading new furniture that will be placed into one of the rooms.

"The program is designed to get veterans back on their feet," said Todd Vance, a case manager for U.S. Vets' transition in progress (TIP) program. "We provide veterans social services to help them receive their benefits and help become financially independent."

According to Vance, Grand Vets Village has 22 rooms available for transitional assistance. The rooms are subsidized for homeless veterans with the goal of eventually leasing them to the veteran once he or she is financially independent.

"They live here rent free and pay a modest program fee. Then, when they are ready, we transfer the lease into their name so they can build renters credit and history to help them when they move on to their next chapter," said Vance.

Veterans eligible for TIP must be verified homeless veterans and are subject to drug and alcohol screening while participating. Grand Vets Village will house veterans for up to two years.

According to Larry Lattimore, an Army veteran who has been living at Grand Vets Village for eight months, the assistance he received has caused his situation to have a "100 percent improvement."

"It's a partnership and a family. It doesn't matter if they are Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Army," Berrelez said. "Homeless vets who served our country and not able to sleep can come here and we can say "Hey you know what? We can help."