(Marietta Daily Journal, July 16, 2018)
Smyrna-based NW Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Lockheed Martin, The Home Depot Foundation and Nissan dedicated a Habitat house to veteran homeowner Brian Quinones in Austell on July 7. (Pictured above: Above: State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, middle, and various veterans’ groups were on hand to dedicate the house in Austell to Brian Quinones.)
Volunteers built the new home for nine consecutive Saturdays for Quinones, who was awarded a Purple Heart for his service in the U.S. Marines.
“Lockheed Martin is proud to sponsor this year’s Veterans build,” said ShaTonya Nicholson, community relations manager of Lockheed Martin. “We are proud of our longstanding partnership Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. These home builds allow us to have a direct impact to the lives of our military members and veterans.”
Quinones displayed incredible resiliency since his discharge. Due to job and housing difficulties, he became homeless and was referred to the Wounded Warrior Project’s Independence program in 2015. Since that time, he has moved from a homeless shelter to HUD-VASH housing.
He was fortunate to receive a Fellowship with The Mission Continues, where he worked with the Smyrna Fire Department. This gave him a financial bridge to move toward his goals of becoming independent. He secured employment in the security field and has worked hard to achieve the financial health necessary to pay an affordable mortgage and become a Habitat homeowner.
“I want to be able to show others that there is so much to live for,” said Quinones. “That there are people that care, and there is help if you look for it.”