Ex-homeless veteran nominated for CNN Hero Award

Former addict gives homeless veterans a second chance
CNN - USA
Former addict gives homeless veterans a second chance
Story Highlights
Roy Foster's program helps veterans facing addiction and homelessness

Foster, an Army vet, struggled with alcoholism and drug abuse

Since 2000, about 900 vets have found life-changing help at Foster's facility

Nominate your hero at CNN.com/Heroes
PALM BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- Following a faint trail through a dense patch of woods in Florida's Palm Beach County, Roy Foster is a man on a mission.

Foster, 53, is searching for homeless veterans -- and he knows where to look.

Whether in a vacant lot behind a supermarket or a small clearing off the highway, homeless vets aren't that hard to find: One in three homeless adults has served in the military, and more than 150,000 veterans nationwide are homeless on any given night, according to the Veterans Administration.

Working with the sheriff's homeless outreach unit, Foster finds vets camped in tents or makeshift lean-tos, where he delivers a message: There's help for you if you want it.

"For our heroes to be living in [these] conditions, it's totally unacceptable," said Foster.

Since 2000, approximately 900 veterans have found life-changing help at Foster's facility, Stand Down House. Named for the military command that gives troops time to rest after arduous duty, the program provides homeless male vets food, shelter and a safe place to recover, as well as the tools to conquer their personal problems.

"The idea is that they can relax now; we'll take care of them," Foster said.

Foster's motivation to help these men is personal: He used to be one of them.

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