We had the good fortune of connecting with Valerie James and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valerie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’m a ten-year Army veteran who suffered two bouts of homelessness duo to an undiagnosed mental illness. I just left my place and lived on the dangerous, violent streets of Washington D.C. The first time the community thought if she is homeless housing her will fix the problem. Well when I moved to Texas, I threw all of my things into the garbage and went to live on the streets again. Texas not only housing me, they got me the mental health assist I needed. I was so healthy that when the World Trade Centers fell in 9/11 I immediately rejoined the military and deployed to war in Afghanistan.

Upon my return I said a final goodbye to the military. I went on to get my Bachelors and Psychology and became the Veteran Director of Peer Services for Harris County. Now I had both the education, and the lived experience of homelessness, and surviving mental illness.

I thought I need to start an organization that knows the pitfalls and what helps people to not just survive but to thrive. (VAST) Veteran Advocates Services and Training. We elevate the lives of the most at-risk of our community; those whose mental/behavioral mindset keeps them constantly homeless or incarcerated.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
VAST goes into prisons weekly we Mentor, find resources, and teach classes to over 500 incarcerated heroes a week!

Outside of the jail we work with over 800 veterans/non-veterans to assist them in housing, getting to mental health assistance at the Michael E. DeBakey VA.

Our most heart felt purpose is to take the people we get out of the jails and off the streets and get them state certified as Mental Health Peer Specialist. Their lived experience is invaluable with the population we work with. We elevate them, and give their lives meaning through serving others,

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LOL well first I would take them to the Cajun Restaurant BB’s in Montrose! Great food, the shrimp and grits is a thing of beauty. You know there is a 2-hour ship tour in Houston few know about called the Houston Ship Channel tour. It is really fun, and it is free! Herman Park is a must! That is a week by itself.

Herman Park has concerts that are free, geese water boats to take out on their little lake. I love taking people to the Brazos Bend Park if they don’t get scared to death when they hear about it’s main attraction. The park has loose alligators that just hang out with you! LOL I mean you are walking down the path and a gator might be 10 feet away and there is no gate separating it form you. Lots of gators, it is sooo vey cool!

The butterfly museum is just the best as well, so are all the museums, including the Museum of Natural Art and Science.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow, what a great question!

First the love must go to my family! My parents especially, but my siblings are my god send! The Army for helping to shape me.

As an adult the love must go to the organizations that took me off the street US VETS Inc and Cloudbreak communities. They saved my life!

Website: www.vasttx.org

Instagram: @veteranadvocatesservices

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/vasttx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VASTTexas

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJozAChoi8M

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