Advocating on a Whole Other Level: Heather Vega and the Veterans of Behavioral Health Bridge Housing

At Grandma’s House of Hope, we believe that service to others doesn’t end when a uniform comes off.  For the veterans in our Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program, healing, dignity, and stability are rebuilt through advocacy, connection, and deep, intentional care.  At the heart of this work is Heather Vega, Case Manager at our Veterans Home.

Heather serves male veterans who are navigating mental health challenges, substance use disorders, or both.  Referred primarily through the VA, each veteran who enters the home brings a unique history—and often, years of unmet needs.  Heather’s role begins with assessment, but it quickly becomes something far more impactful.

“When our guys come in, many don’t even know what benefits they’re entitled to,” Heather explains. “They served our country, and my goal is to make sure they get back what they earned.”

One of Heather’s most critical roles is helping veterans secure or upgrade their VA disability ratings—a process that can unlock life-changing benefits, including income, medical care, long-term support, and future security.  In one powerful example, a Vietnam veteran entered the program with a 0% rating.  Through Heather’s advocacy and partnership with Veterans Legal Institute, he was able to receive a 90% disability rating—providing him with income and stability he had gone decades without.

But the work doesn’t stop with paperwork and appointments.

Heather ensures veterans are connected to specialized PTSD care, medical providers who understand military trauma, and legal and employment resources tailored specifically for veterans. She helps them relearn daily life skills—budgeting, cooking, managing medications, setting goals, and preparing for independent living.

Equally important are the softer skills: rebuilding trust, learning how to live in community, and rediscovering a sense of belonging.

“We eat together. We celebrate birthdays and milestones together,” Heather says. “I listen. I let them talk. I make sure they feel safe, cared for, and heard.”

That sense of home matters—especially for men who have experienced homelessness, trauma, and isolation.  One veteran who arrived with severe PTSD is now thriving and has stepped into a leadership role within the house, helping support others on their journey.

The ultimate goal is permanent housing—but Heather knows that housing alone is not enough.  Our participants must be prepared emotionally, financially, and socially to sustain their independence.  That’s why AfterCare continues for up to two years after graduation, providing weekly check-ins, budgeting support, encouragement, and a steady presence during the transition to living on their own.

“What we’re really doing is giving them the tools to thrive,” Heather shares. “We want success in every area—emotional, physical, mental. We want their whole well-being.”

As the daughter of a Vietnam veteran herself, this work is deeply personal for Heather.  Through what she’s learned at Grandma’s House of Hope, she’s even been able to help her own father secure a higher VA rating.

When asked what sets Grandma’s House of Hope apart, Heather doesn’t hesitate.

“It’s not about numbers here. It’s about impact,” she says. “We go deep. We advocate. We meet people where they’re at and figure it out together.”

And how does she hope veterans remember their time here?

“That they felt accepted. That they felt loved. That they believed they could continue on and be successful.”

At Grandma’s House of Hope, veterans are reminded that their lives still hold purpose, dignity, and possibility.  Through steady care, meaningful connection, and a place to belong, men who once felt forgotten are finding their footing again.  Because here, service is honored not just with words, but with the opportunity to heal and build a future worth believing in.