Stand Down gives veterans lift

Michael Chronister admits he needed a kick to force him to stand on his own feet.

That kick off of friends' couches and away from their handouts in his native Missouri led him to Las Vegas a year ago with two oversized suitcases and a plan to start over.

His initial stumbles bounced him from rescue missions and shelters to one night on the streets and, finally, to an event that he says changed his life for good.

"That one night on the streets was the motivation I needed to get something done," said Chronister, who has no family in Southern Nevada. "I'm a 42-year-old man, and that one night on the streets put the fear of God into me."

He attended the Veterans Stand Down, which links homeless veterans with resources to find jobs and support themselves.

A year later, Chronister works for Goodwill Industries as a donation ambassador, a job he landed after attending the annual event, which will continue today at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1731 N. Pecos Road, near Owens Avenue.

Chronister said he can stand comfortably on his feet now.

He prides himself on keeping an apartment, a cell phone and his job at a mobile donation center on Flamingo Road near Hualapai Way.

Patrons drive up to the shed-like center and Chronister dashes to greet them. He accepts their donations, doles out receipts and organizes the goods in a small shed that has become his domain.

"You have to be a people person," he said, adjusting his blue Goodwill vest outside the donation center.

Chronister served in the Army from 1985 to 1986 but was discharged because of a knee injury.

He worked different jobs in Missouri -- in bars, factories, lumber yards -- but nothing that kept his interest.

The simple rewards, like relying on himself and helping others, help maintain his focus.

"This is a job I very much enjoy doing," he said. "I support myself and others in the bargain. I'm not just helping myself."

Veterans Stand Down is a national program linking veterans with free services and referrals such as medical and dental resources, clothing, meals, legal assistance and job and housing placements to help get people off the streets.

Chronister's employer, Goodwill Industries, was one of many businesses at the annual event Wednesday.

Shalimar Cabrera, site director for U.S. Vets, an event co-sponsor, said about 4,300 homeless veterans live in Las Vegas.

Cabrera counted about 350 veterans at the first day of the two-day event Wednesday, and she expected to top last year's record of 404 veterans served.

Cabrera pegs Chronister's tale as a program success story.

"It's what this event is all about. It's not just bringing them in today but giving them solutions long term," Cabrera said.

"The homeless veterans being served were there for us when our country called them. Now they need us."

Looking ahead, Chronister hopes to move up at Goodwill -- he just applied to become a site manager with the company -- and buy a car.

"You have to help yourself, but (know) there are people out there to help you help yourself," he said. "I'm different. This job opened my eyes to what I need to do."

Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.