Homeless Yakima veteran on benefits fair: 'Means a lot'

Homeless Yakima veteran on benefits fair: 'Means a lot'
By Michael Spears
Published: Oct 27, 2012

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A giant fair in Yakima went a long way at helping local veterans Saturday by offering everything from job help to free clothes and food.

Some veterans return home and find it hard to adjust back to civilian life while others find themselves falling on hard times with nowhere to go.

KIMA spoke with one veteran who said he struggles every day to survive.

"Get back on my feet. That's what I want to do: get back on my feet and this helps,” said Mark Hansen.

Mark Hansen was enlisted in the U.S. Army for 9 years. His time in the military took him overseas to places like Korea and Germany.

But after Hansen hung up his uniform for good he found himself struggling to make ends meet.

"When I first came back I was living with my mother and a series of unfortunate accidents took place and that's what found me homeless,” said Hansen.

With nowhere to go, Hansen turned to a group home with other homeless vets. He's now looking for a job with the help of Work Source.
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