Blankenship and wife keep a family album recounting
their early married life and facing homelessness
By Bob Weaver
"I think most people have a stereotype of the homeless," said 28-year-old Aaron Blankenship, a US Army three-year veteran.
"Many Americans are a few paychecks from being homeless, or after facing unforeseen circumstances," he said.
Blankenship (left) and his young pregnant wife got "tossed out" of a family owned dwelling, both were students at Southern Community College at the time.
They found themselves sleeping in a tent off the beaten path near Huntington.
"It was a trying time for us, my wife pregnant, working wherever I could, and getting food," Blankenship said.
Speaking of Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF), he said "They saved my life," after he had his wife had been living in a tent near Huntington, both now enrolled at Marshal University.
Blankenship also worked to get an Underwriters License, and is now working at a new job.
Couple display photos of baby soon to be delivered
"The agencies outreach worker Thomas Ramey was a savior, bringing blessed relief," he said.
Blankenship has been with SSVF for 90 days, and he and his wife are rebuilding their life in a well-kept apartment.
"We are picking up the pieces and putting them together," he concluded.
Many homeless veterans sleep in
tents, cars and vacant buildings
The Supportive Services for Veteran's Families (SSVF) program in Huntington, which also serves several West Virginia counties, is designed to lift very low-income veteran families out of homelessness and into stable permanent housing.
Through this program Southwestern Community Action and their SSVF program provides comprehensive assistance in the areas of case management, outreach, temporary financial assistance, and referrals to help in obtaining VA benefits.
SSVF can be reached at 304-525-5151 and website www.scacwv.org. | 
