Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | November 16, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 15 have created a home away from home where he feels comfortable and con- nected. He said he was not aware of most benefits available to veterans until five years ago when he visited his local U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs center while living in Leominster. "When I first came here (Veterans Inc.) five years ago, I realized there was food pantry assistance and it was welcoming, realizing that it was an additional benefit - food assistance that anybody can take advantage of and benefit from it." Veterans Inc. also assisted Arcou- ette in accessing a housing subsidy program for veterans that helps with rental assistance, paying half their rent for up to two years, when the rental house he was living in sold and he was experiencing housing insta- bility. Priding himself on his money management skills, he said he always prioritized paying his rent and other necessary bills, but had little le for anything else, including going to the local pub for a beer on occasion and socializing. "Believe me, I needed it (rental assistance) at the time and it was at the right time," he said. "It was a two- year program. I was chefing, meeting the rent and everyday expenses like insurance and gas for my car. But even for a person living alone, it was difficult to make ends meet month to month, but I always did. ere were things I wanted and did without, like if I wanted to go out and have a beer at a local pub." e rental assistance gave him more peace of mind and some relief from his tight budget, but U.S. Navy veteran Jared O. Jones, a marketing and communication specialist and Arcouette's Shallow Subsidy program case manager at Veterans Inc., said the assistance was ending aer two years. "It is an 'in between' until more permanent housing is available," Jones explained. "Veterans Inc. pays half the rent up to two years and then he exited from the program." Arcouette's previous case manager at the organization, Sheldon Foster, was ready to help fill the gap, Jones said, advocating for Arcouette to be recertified and qualified earlier this year for a federal housing program that pays 70% of veterans' housing costs permanently. Known as the HUD-VASH pro- gram, it combines Section 8 housing vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with ongoing case manage- ment and health care services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). "e HUD-VASH program is for life," Arcouette said. "I don't have to reapply as long as I stay within guidelines. "Without a roof over my head, I cannot survive. I did not want to be- come homeless if I can help it. It was a personal thing and I took priorities extremely serious." Jones said the "biggest hiccup" is advocacy with landlords, some of whom are veterans themselves and want to help other veterans. Veterans Inc. incentivized Arcou- ette's landlord to upgrade the home he has rented in Spencer for four years since entering Veterans Inc.'s programs with his beloved pet turtles and frogs. "ey made it all happen," Arcou- ette said. "It wouldn't have happened without Veterans Inc. ey made it affordable and gave me the ability to do it. I love it there and they made it more special and even better. "If it wasn't for the Veterans (Inc.'s) subsidy program and any other pro- gram, I would not be sitting here right now talking to you about it," he said. Ray M. Carville, senior manager of public affairs at Veterans Inc., said the organization is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Starting out with the intent of just being a homeless shelter mostly for Vietnam veterans, Carville said, housing 16 veterans at first, the scope has grown over the years. Veterans Inc. has progressed into "so much more," he said, including finding housing for veterans, health- care and providing other needs and the agency also employs many veterans. "If you are going to talk about housing, you need to talk about employment," Carville told the WBJ. "Getting them the job they need today is critical and also the career they might want to have the rest of their lives." Veterans Inc. offers training pro- grams for career paths they want to follow, he said. "It is not just about a job at Vet- erans Inc. It is being able to get up in the morning, go to that job, and wellness and behavioral health are a big part of what we do here. Veterans are disproportionally affected from trauma, wounds of war and economic factors," Carville said. "We ask any veteran what it is they need in their lives. We want to get them back to when they raised their kids and back to their families to become good members of society. Not just helping veterans in crisis with jobs, health, housing." He said many vets don't know about benefits, so they encourage them to come down and find out about the opportunities. To that end the organization holds numerous events throughout the year, includ- ing on Veterans Day with the annual pancake breakfast, community fund- raisers and a Holiday Harvest Nov. 24 in the auditorium that is similar to a farmers market where veterans can shop for their anksgiving meal. e organization also offers veterans winter coats and holiday toys sorted by age and gender. "We have vets come in and meet us and have a great holiday season," Car- ville said. "Folks can sponsor events for veterans on our website and come to events." VETERANS IN BUSINESS F O C U S Paul J. Arcouette served in the Army from 1978 to 1987. W PHOTOS | COURTESY

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