I have represented several hundred Veterans/Vulnerable adults since 2010 to present day. During my career, there were many situations of neglect, abuse and financial exploitation that prompted me to consider starting this non-profit but one in particular confirmed my calling.

"I was appointed to a Veteran to protect his benefits and witnessed him being financially exploited, neglected and removed from his home—a home he lived in for 30 years with his wife who passed just 6 months prior. Within one week of the spouse passing (day of death and day before funeral) the exploiter emptied their savings — during this heartbreaking injustice, I realized the limitations of my role."

As his Federal Fiduciary, I could only protect his VA Compensation, not his retirement pensions, social security and/or other benefits acquired during 30 years of his career. Although I made every attempt possible to report the exploitation, my hands were tied. I watched powerlessly as he was taken advantage of, moved out of his home within 90 days of his wife’s death that was filled with memories of his life and his beloved wife, and the exploiter (non-family member) moved their family in.

My Veteran passed away before he was able to return to his home, although he inquired many times as to when he would return home as his health declined. To date his estate is still fighting this person to remove them from their beloved family's home.

I KNEW THEN SOMETHING HAD TO CHANGE

As a Federal Fiduciary, I was powerless — no power to stop the exploitation, no power to save his home, his memories, or his dignity.

That's why For The People By The People was born — so I could finally have the power to act. The power to do MORE than just protect benefits. The power to protect their dignity, their homes, their benefits they worked all their lives for, and their human rights. So that no other Veteran or Vulnerable adult will suffer alone or lose everything within a system that is overloaded.