(Photo by Carrie Jung - KJZZ)

Joe's sleeping area is decorated with t-shirts that hold sentimental value.

(Carrie Jung - KJZZ News)

Residents use the computer room to apply for jobs or connect with out of state friends and relatives.

Carrie Jung/KJZZ

KJZZ is exploring what it means to be part of a community in a series called "We Are The Valley." This week of Veterans Day, we take a closer look at one community of veterans who share hardships both stateside and abroad, but also the unique challenge of being homeless.

If you ride the elevator to the second floor of the YWCA in downtown Phoenix, chances are you’ll run into Chris, who will rather loudly announce your presence.

"Lady on deck!" he said, as I entered the floor.

Chris lives here along with about 50 other veterans who have struggled with homelessness. He and most of the guys here didn’t want me to use their last names out of fear of discrimination.

Fellow resident Joe gives me a quick tour.

"This is the computer room," he said. "It’s encouraged to go in here. Work on your resume, look for jobs or keep in touch with anyone out of state. Over there is our VA rep."

The floor is modest with white cinder block walls and beige vinyl flooring. But that doesn’t mean it lacks personality. Several spaces are decorated with murals of eagles and American flags. And each resident has added their own personal touches to their sleeping areas. Like Joe, who decorated his space with t-shirts that hold sentimental value.

This is the MANA house. Which stands for Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force. It’s run by an organization called Madison Street Veterans Association and it provides these men with all the basics. For Army veteran Paul, the MANA house is giving him the resources he needs to get back on his feet after struggling to find work when he moved to Phoenix. But, he said, material things only go so far. 

"Veterans are as tight as you’ll ever get," said Paul. "There’s no comparison to any job function or family you’ll have in life."

But for Paul as well as others, like Rick, the most important ingredient the facility offers is a sense of community. He and my tour guide Joe have formed an especially close bond.

"We’re the only two paratroopers here, so naturally you form a bond," Rick said. "Everybody else, we talk to them and relate to them but we’re kind of a different monster. We’re the only ones here that were trained to jump out and kill people."

"A lot of us have been homeless, including myself, at one time or another in our lives," said Terry Araman, the organization's director. "So we understand not only the vet experience, but also the homeless experience."

Araman said it’s that common experience that really brings residents together.

"We really know what vets are going through when they come into a facility like this," he said.

The MANA house is not a permanent home for these guys. Many use this transitional living facility to get health care issues in order before applying for full-time work. Others stay there to get back on track after struggling with substance abuse problems.

But regardless of what brought these guys here, most of the vets I talked to said when they leave, they’ll have some new friends by their side. Even if there is a bit of friendly rivalry mixed in.

"We probably won’t be talking too much, you know, Navy/Army thing," Joe jested.

If you’re part of a Valley community, tell us about it for our "We Are The Valley" series. Just send us a note at: [email protected].