Support The Enlisted Project - San Diego, California

Kesha H.

My partner recently got honorably discharged right before finding out we were pregnant. I went on medical leave due to pregnancy complications, and we were at risk for homelessness. Reached out to STEP and they made us jump through hoops for 3 months, requiring more and more from us with hopes we were going to get some type of help. Provided everything they needed in a timely manner, just for them to tell us in the end that they could not help us and closed the case. I am now almost 9 months pregnant and looking for other support options.
If I knew this, we would not have wasted 3 months working with them just to get to a dead end.

Gabriel C.

They always seemed like a helpful organization but very misleading. I’m active duty and currently homeless living out of my car because it needs repairs that are currently outside of my means. I needed assistance with these repairs and just spoke to Jessica Hankinson for the final time today and after several discussions she’s had with her supervisor they said there’s basically absolutely NOTHING they can do for me which I find disappointing and doubtful. Long story short I’m currently going through a divorce, wife and kids moved back home across the country, paying child support, moved out of military housing with little-to-no savings, and was going to find a place to rent that was until my car broke down. I had to hold off on renting the place I was going to move into because my engine (200k miles) needed repairs that were anywhere from $2,900-3800. I decided it would be a better and more cost efficient decision to just replace the engine entirely with a lower mileage, remanufactured one with a warranty. The price of this would be $3,500 estimate from one shop and $5,000 from another shop. These prices both reflect that price of the engine and labor. I asked for assistance and was told the age and value of my vehicle was too old and too low for it to meet the requirements eligible for assistance. I said, “alright I understand, would it be possible for you guys to provide me with the most amount you guys would be able to cover given the value of the car and I can pay the difference out of pocket when I can afford it towards the end of the month ?” Again, they said no, (knowing that I’m living out of my car) and came up with an explanation about not wanting to leave me with more unforeseen repairs that insisted I would be able to afford by then if they just offer me assistance now so I’m not sleeping out of my car. She said it could be upwards of $7k for this repair and I assured her no, I’m not making any repairs I’m SWAPPING out my engine. If there are other odds and ends that need to be repaired they are not going to cost thousands of dollars more, the extent of my repairs starts and ends with my engine being totally replaced. I don’t think she knows what she’s talking about, I believe she was trying to just excuse it away for the reason they can’t help me and threw a random number out there. I’m not asking for much, I even suggested they can comprise and offer me the most for the value of my car and I will pay for the rest of the cost when I can afford to at the end of the month. So given that and my current unfortunate circumstances, this is very upsetting and they were surprisingly unhelpful. I don’t know what I’m going to do…

TeWanda

STEP is a beautiful operation that gives a boost to military families and has been a God send. I appreciate them greatly.

Tim C.

I find the idea of this good but very misleading.

I was medically retired from the military and when I got out there was an issue at dfass and the va and I was not paid for months. I'm physically disabled and cannot work. I applied went through the application process and they made me feel hopeful. I ran out of savings waiting on the va and dfass. I just needed help to ge through a month. They said let's make you a financial goal plan and I said ok? Then Jessica Hankinson calls me to inform me that the supervisor who makes the calls said she would not help me becuase I had no income coming in. Lol yeah of course I don't I'm waiting for dfass and va to finish fixing the issue. I need help so I'm not homeless. They said ,"Sorry call back when you a 100 percent disabled guy can get a income then we might help... ". I feel this will help all not waste there time. They told me to call other places like wounded warrior which have a 4 week minimum wait period before Reviewing applications.

Sheryl R.

One of my friends was recently admitted to the hospital and is awaiting surgery tomorrow. Her husband, is active duty. He just recently tested positive for covid and is having to quarantine at home with their two children (11m and 3yrs). Due to medications, she has to pump and dump. Her husband is currently using their stash at home and they aren't sure how long she will be on meds for and asked if I could help them find some formula to supplement. I reached out to Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) in San Diego and explained the situation. I thought they might give me maybe two containers of formula and those two plastic things of diapers. I was so wrong! They gave me all of this to drop off to their house for them. 8 cans of formula, some snacks for baby, a huge box of diapers, a box of wipes, and some pull-ups for their 3 yr old.

Thank you so much to everyone who donates and volunteers their time here!

siamac M.

Amazing organization! What an amazing mission! Supporting our warfighters at home and abroad!

Ben L.

These people are the bee's knees! Everything they do for us is amazing. Y'all deserve the best. Thank you for your support.

Judy L.

Operation Gratitude traveled to San Diego to support this organization with the help of Young Marines preparing packages for First Responders.