OPERATION WILKS
2026 Veteran Mission
“I’m beyond grateful for the support my family and I received from Veterans Rebuilding Life…they showed up for me in ways I didn’t expect. What meant the most wasn’t just the tangible help, but the feeling of being seen, supported, and cared for. They gave us a moment to step away from our stress, breathe, and feel hope again. In a time when things felt overwhelming, they reminded us that better days are possible. VRL makes a real difference in people’s lives. I’m deeply thankful for their kindness, compassion, and willingness to go above and beyond. I absolutely recommend them to anyone in need of support.”
At Veterans Rebuilding Life, we often meet people at pivotal moments. For Marine Corps Veteran: Linda Wilks, that moment came this spring. A mother of three, Linda struggled with challenges no one should have to face alone. For more than a year, Linda and her children have been living in the Help USA New Leaf Shelter in Brooklyn NY, working hard to stay hopeful despite limited support and few pathways forward.
On April 24, 2026, Linda reached out to VRL with a clear goal: she landed a new job in healthcare, but needed her Basic Life Support (BLS) certification to begin. Without it, the opportunity would slip away. Within days, our team stepped in to help. VRL covered the cost of Linda’s BLS training through the American Red Cross, and she successfully completed the course and received her certification. Just one week later, Linda began her new career in healthcare. A milestone, but just the beginning.
Understanding that long-term stability requires more than immediate support, VRL is continuing to stand alongside Linda. Veterans Rebuilding Life is now assisting her to obtain a laptop for her children, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond. VRL is also connecting Linda with a peer mentor, someone who has faced similar challenges and is working toward securing Linda a HUD-VASH voucher, a critical step toward permanent housing.
With VRL’s continued support, Linda and her three children will soon transition out of the shelter system and into a home of their own. Linda has expressed deep gratitude for the help that she’s received. Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when veterans help veterans.
VETERAN SERVICES