Nearly 50,000 veterans continue to experience homelessness in America, but we’re committed to solving that problem. As they always do, veterans are leading the way in that work! We’re sharing the stories of our team members with military backgrounds and why they’ve chosen to continue their service here at Community Solutions:
Mary Tobin
Director, Brownsville Partnership
Former Army officer and West Point graduate
“While I was deployed to Iraq, I worked in a community where I got to serve people who just really wanted a better way of life; people who deserved an equal opportunity to have housing, to have their kids go to school, and to feel safe. Looking back, they aren’t that much different than the people of Southwest Atlanta where I grew up. Everybody wants a shot at a good life.
“I think that my whole life has been leading me to work as the Director of the Brownsville Partnership at Community Solutions, where I can help people envision a better way of life. I can actually impact this community by creating those opportunities with the help of good partners and good people. Everyday I get to help somebody and there is no better feeling than that.”
Jamie Schleck
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
West Point graduate
Graduate of the Army’s Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger Schools
“I fundamentally believe that ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ That’s why I’m so proud to have served in the Army—to help fight this injustice. But the truth is, we don’t need to go overseas to find it. Here at home, our society faces systematic poverty, disenfranchisement, and gross inequalities. It’s simply not right that some veterans are experiencing homelessness.
“I love America for all that it aspires to be. We’ve been a work-in-progress for the past 241 years. There’s so much more work to be done, and that’s why I’m honored to be able to continue my service by being a part of the Community Solutions team.”
Moeed Ishrat
Manager, Operations
Former Petty Officer, US Coast Guard
“As an immigrant, it was important to me to serve the country that made my dreams come true. As a service member, it was my privilege to serve my fellow Americans. And as a veteran, it was important for me to serve my fellow veterans. At Community Solutions I know that I am directly contributing to ending homelessness for veterans.
“In the military I learned to work hard and smart. I am proud to say that at Community Solutions we do the same for our veterans.”
Dave Foster
Director, Real Estate
Former infantry officer, 101st Airborne Division, Army Reserve
“I started my career as an infantry officer in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division and eventually made my way to law school. Although I had an amazing experience leading soldiers, I was also excited by the impact that I could have as a civilian.
“There are few, if any, other organizations with both the interest and capacity to push the leading edge of what is possible in the field of social impact real estate development. Through the amazing work of Rosanne and the team over the past thirty years, Community Solutions has rightly earned a reputation for high-quality and high-impact work that puts people first.”
Veterans are leaders and huge civic assets. Unfortunately, not all veterans who return home from service have a home. When a veteran experiences homelessness, our communities miss out on their experience and leadership.
We’re proud of the fact that Community Solutions has helped communities find homes for more than 70,000 veterans since 2010. Veterans are helping to lead this important work.
