Old North News

Rudolph Coles, a Winston-Salem area veteran, has received a Christmas present he never thought he’d get: a home from Housing 4 Our Heroes.

Housing 4 Our Heroes brings together people from other groups as they work to eradicate homelessness among veterans.

“It’s wonderful,” Barry Washington, bishop of Whole Man Ministries of North Carolina, told WXII about the effort. “It’s great to get another place done for a veteran, especially right before Christmas.” 

The home in this case like most Housing 4 Our Heroes works with, had been abandoned and was dilapidated when it was donated. Volunteers rehabilitated it, making it livable again.

"When you find a homeless veteran and we’re able to get them out of the cold, it does our heart, it does our heart wonderful,” Washington said.

Coles, a Vietnam veteran, is the 28th person to get permanent housing through the organization.

“Things haven’t been going too good but this right here. This is my sunlight on a dark day, this house right here,” Coles told the news station.

About a year and a half ago, Coles and his wife lost their house, which caused some issues between them and his family. 

“Me being able to get my place, I’ll be able to invite friends and family, my grandkids over, my kids, and I’m really happy about that,” Coles said. “Maybe I’ll get the closeness back with my family and I just appreciate this so much."

Rehabbing a home typically takes about a year, but this one was turned around in five months.

“To do a project like this takes a team,” Washington said.

Coles has a message for other veterans who are down on their luck. 

“If you’re in need, there's someone out there that can help you. You just have to reach out to them,” he said. “They don’t know you’re in need until you admit you're in need and they’ll help you." 

To help or to volunteer with Houses 4 Our Heroes, call 336-785-2080.