Raymond Perez, Operation Restoring Veteran Hope founder, to speak to Jewish War Veterans about how dealing with his own personal problems of substance abuse, incarceration, and homelessness upon discharge from the Army inspired him to help other veterans.
JWV speaker Raymond Perez speaks from experience. Hear his story on Sunday, Nov. 17, when he speaks to Jewish War Veterans (JWV) Post 619 in the Bradford Room A at Oakwood Country Club, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd. in Sun Lakes. A Meet & Greet with free lox and bagels, coffee, and doughnuts starts at 9:30 a.m. The speaker follows at 10 a.m. All are welcome.
Perez founded the nonprofit Operation Restoring Veteran Hope (ORVH), along with his wife Maria Perez who is also a veteran. Determined to help incarcerated and homeless veterans, they established programs to serve veterans struggling with addiction, PTSD, and suicidal ideations. Their focus has been on vets coming out of incarceration and rehabilitation programs. “We want struggling veterans to know that they are not alone and instill hope that recovery is possible,” states Perez. ORVH services help support veterans through workshops, recreational and therapeutic activities, and assistance in accessing community resources, treatment, and veteran services.
They also host a free annual Veteran’s Healing Retreat at St Joseph’s Youth Camp in Mormon Lake, Ariz. More than 100 veterans attend this annual retreat where they experience camaraderie through hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and meditation.
One attendee who was homeless and suffered mental health issues credited the program with the following: “Words can never describe what this experience has done for me. It allowed me to get back to nature and try to heal. My psychiatrist told me that being on this trip with my veteran family is better therapy than he or the VA could ever give me. When most of us get out, we feel lost and discarded. This retreat fills this hole of confusion and hopelessness. If it wasn’t for this retreat, I don’t know where I would be. Everything that they do really shows how important we are as veterans,” concluded Whitney, who now works for the State Department of Veteran Services and is a proud homeowner. She continues to attend the retreat to share with other veterans who may be struggling.
Upon discharge from the Army, Raymond Perez experienced substance abuse issues, incarceration, and homelessness. In 2013 he was incarcerated for the last time and received mental health and substance abuse treatment at the VA. He then began his employment journey at the VA, ending up at the Community Resource and Referral program and the Veterans Justice program as a peer support.
Nov. 9 and 10 is JWV’s Poppy Campaign weekend at Fry’s stores in Chandler, Gilbert, and Ahwatukee. Profits from this fundraiser help support nonprofit veterans organizations like ORVH. Look for JWV volunteers in red shirts at Fry’s stores in your area, and please give generously.
JWV Post 619, which meets the third Sunday of every month from September to June, boasts members who represent a wide range of religious affiliations and participates in philanthropic activities to help veterans of all faiths. To learn more about JWV activities and membership, contact Arthur Uram at 702-884-4175 or [email protected].