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WOUNDED WARRIORS

OF COLLIER COUNTY:

Meet Our Very First Veteran Resident

of the Delta House

For those of you who may not know, Wounded Warriors of Collier County (WWCC) is a 501c3 Upon returning, Billy worked a series of
nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist with the needs of Veterans and their families, jobs to support his jobless young wife and
with focus on housing, mental health, and education to ensure no Veteran is left behind. to provide financial assistance to his siblings
during the time his own parents were going
In the critical area of housing, the goal of through a divorce. Unfortunately, Billy’s mar-
our signature program, the Warrior Homes riage would also experience a break-up, as
Initiative, is to achieve a “Functional Zero” marriages of enlisted service personnel often
designation, which states that every single prove to be difficult—Billy's was no excep-
Veteran desiring affordable or secure housing tion. He eventually found the stress of such
can have those needs met. In support of this responsibility and the break-up too great to
strategy, WWCC has opened four homes: bear, which unfortunately lead to addiction.
The Alpha House (opened January 2020), He soon became homeless, living on the
Bravo House (opened April 2021), and the streets of our community, but he still had
third home, the Charlie House, (opened April caring friends who put Billy in touch with
2022). Our newest home, the Delta House, Dale Mullin, President of WWCC.
is a 10-unit apartment complex that provides A NEW CHANCE AT LIFE
long-term supportive housing for up to 20 An opening was not yet available, so Wounded
Veterans and is scheduled to open in 2023. Warriors of Collier County put the down-
Not only was securing these homes a his- and-out Veteran up in a motel until a bed
toric moment for our organization, it was also Billy Clark and Sorora Brown became available. This jump start to stability
a win for our local Veterans. Thus, it is only allowed Billy to apply for placement at Hoops
fitting to shine a special spotlight on our very House, a noted long-term residential recovery
first Veteran Resident of the new Delta House! The vision of Wounded Warriors of Collier center for men in Huachuca City, Arizona.
County is to see that No Veteran is Left
MEET MR. ALBERT WILLIAM “BILLY” CLARK Behind in our county. Through our work Billy was able to secure full-time employment
Born in Naples in 1993, Mr. Albert William and efforts, and community awareness with Military Brothers Moving, allowing him
and collaboration, we provide much-
“Billy” Clark started his life under difficult needed resources and programs to meet to support himself through John Hooper’s
circumstances. The eldest of four children, the unique needs of our local Veterans. nine-month recovery program.
Upon Billy’s completion of the program,
Billy became accustomed at an early age to he moved back to Naples and resided at the
forgoing many of the normal joys of youth in the 1-25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1-5 Alpha House. In January 2022, because of his
order to help his single mother raise his three Infantry Battalion at Fort Wainwright, Alaska,
siblings. Enlisting in the U.S. Army before home of America’s Arctic Warriors. While well-earned successful journey, he was cho-
graduating from Lely High School in 2012, serving there, Billy married his high school sen to be the Delta House’s first resident!

With WWCC’s continued support, we’re
Billy spent his post-graduation months endur- sweetheart as well. With his wife, he chose to confident that Billy will eventually become
ing the rigorous basic and advanced infantry leave the Army life following his three-year self-sufficient and independent once again.
training programs at Fort Benning, Georgia. term of service and return to Naples in 2015
Upon completion, Private Clark served with to be close to his family. Good Luck, Billy!

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR GENEROSITY CAN HELP HOUSE A VETERAN FOR JUST $37 A DAY?
To help support the Warrior Homes Initiative and WWCC, please visit www.wwcollier.org.

Life in Naples December 2022 49