OPERATION HUMBERTO
2024 Veteran Mission
United States Army Veteran Humberto Rodriguez and his service dog Rocky, at Veterans Rebuilding Life headquarters in Queens, NY.
“My dog Rocky and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts…We will never forget how fast you were able to get us both out the extreme elements and into safe place…”
Humberto Rodriguez served honorably in both the United States Army, and the National Guard. At the age of 51, Humberto faced unexpected challenges and found himself homeless, alongside his faithful service dog, Rocky. After a rift with his brother in Florida, Humberto made the poignant decision to return to his roots in Queens, NY, hoping for a fresh start.
Despite reaching out to various veteran support services, Humberto struggled to find the assistance he desperately needed. Late one Thursday evening, while navigating the streets of Queens with Rocky by his side, fate led him to the headquarters of Veterans Rebuilding Life (VRL) in Astoria. It was here that Humberto connected with VRL’s dedicated Veteran Service officers (VSO).
The compassionate team at VRL wasted no time in providing Humberto with immediate help. They secured safe housing for the night and scheduled crucial appointments for him to access vital veteran support services the next day.