LOS ANGELES (June 2026) — Army Veteran Keith Sanders, a Peer Support Specialist with Village for Vets, recently achieved homeownership after overcoming years of addiction, homelessness, and incarceration. As he approaches his one-year anniversary with the organization, Sanders continues using his lived experience to help fellow veterans navigate challenges and build stable futures.
Sanders entered the Army in 1987 but received an Other Than Honorable discharge after experiencing intense racism during his brief period of service. In the years that followed, he struggled with addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, spending time on Skid Row while searching for a path forward.
“No matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rise up out of hell,” Sanders said.
Determined to change the trajectory of his life, Sanders sought help through the VA Welcome Center and was referred to the Bell Shelter. Following another arrest, he entered mental health court, where he was encouraged to consider becoming a Peer Support Specialist.
That opportunity marked a turning point. Sanders completed his training, graduated in June 2025, and was hired by Village for Vets on Aug. 1, 2025. Today, he works directly with veterans facing many of the same challenges he once experienced.
As Sanders continued rebuilding his life, he connected with Mark Meeker, an outreach worker with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s Veterans and Loved Ones Recovery (VALOR) program.
“He went over and beyond his call of duty,” Sanders said of Meeker.
Through coordination between the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN), Sanders was able to access Client Supportive Services and receive a Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher, helping him secure stable housing and wraparound support.
Reflecting on the support he received and the path he has taken, Sanders now shares a message of encouragement with others facing similar challenges.
“Never give up, always pray, always be willing to help another human being,” Sanders said.
With stable housing and steady employment, Sanders focused on his long-term goals. He paid off credit card debt, saved money, and connected with Veterans United to begin the homebuying process. Within 45 days, he opened and closed escrow on a condominium, achieving a milestone he once thought was out of reach.
Despite achieving homeownership and a career helping fellow veterans, Sanders said his greatest accomplishment is his recovery.
“Most proud of the fact that I am clean and sober. I’m not on drugs anymore. I’m not drunk,” Sanders said.
Today, Sanders continues to help veterans find hope, stability, and access to resources while serving as an example of what is possible through perseverance, support, and a commitment to helping others.
