LA Veterans’ Group Builds Homes, And A Legacy
By Nathan James
It is often said that when our troops return to our shores after their active duty ends, they sometimes find themselves on a completely different battlefield — that of obtaining shelter in a country where homelessness is an ever-growing problem. In California, which has both the greatest number of military veterans, and the highest homeless population, one dedicated woman has taken on the mission of easing the plight of these vulnerable soldiers and sailors, by giving them more than just bed and board.
Raji Rykert, a real estate broker and businesswoman in the Los Angeles area, invested her own funds into founding Helping America Now, a nonprofit offering residential treatment, healthy living assistance, and academic scholarships to those who have worn our country’s uniform. Rykert drew on four decades of entrepreneurial experience that incudes the distinction of being the among the first minority women to own an Altadena Drive dairy shop and service station. “I wanted to do something that had real meaning,” Rykert says, “and that would leave a lasting mark on the community, a legacy.”
She set about establishing a safe, uplifting domicile for the group’s clients, called 3 Faces Ranch, a “sober” house that emphasizes healthy dieting and educational growth. Mentally disabled adults are also included in the charity’s clientele, and Rykert reflects that there is a clear sense of purpose in her group’s work. “we give our clients a new way of looking at life,” the philanthropist reflects, “encouraging them to eat healthier and abstain from alcohol and [illegal] drugs.” Rykert reports the organization has so far assisted and housed a dozen veterans from the LA basin in the ranch’s Lancaster location in the Antelope Valley, about an hour north of LA.
“We help the veterans cope with mental health issues like PTSD, and retraining to find new jobs, Rykert notes, adding that $20,000 in scholarships have been awarded to date. The group also guides veterans through the transition to civilian life and provides monetary assistance for vocational schooling or emergent needs. “It’s very rewarding,” Rykert notes, “And I feel like we are making a genuine difference in people’s lives.” Helping America Now looks forward to beginning new programs and opening more residences in the future. You can visit their website and support the group at www.helpingamericanow.org.
