My name is Najah, and I’m the newest Veteran care coordinator to join the Mission United team. Mission United is United Way of Northeast Florida’s Veteran care coordination program, where fellow Veterans connect other Veterans and their families to critical resources and services.

I grew up right here in Jacksonville, Florida (a true Floridian), and left shortly after high school to join the United States Air Force. I served for 10 years as an Information Technology Specialist, earning certifications, holding a Top Secret security clearance and gaining skills that would later follow me into civilian life.

In 2018, I was medically discharged, and my life shifted quickly. Before I could fully process what was happening, I was out of the military and stepping into the unknown.I wasn’t prepared. I hadn’t saved money. I didn’t know where my children and I were going to live, and I had no clear timeline for when my disability income would begin. I was overwhelmed, uncertain and doing my best to hold everything together. As a mother, not knowing how I would provide for my children was one of my greatest fears.

Then something changed.

I was referred to a Veteran transitional housing program that became a turning point in my life. Not only did they provide stable housing for my family, but they also surrounded me with support. They helped me apply for unemployment benefits I didn’t even know I qualified for. They guided me in rebuilding my credit. They gave me structure, stability and, most importantly, hope. Through their support, I was able to return to school, begin a new career path and save money for the future.

Now, as a Veteran care coordinator at Mission United, I can be that same source of support for others. As Veteran care coordinators, we walk alongside Veterans to connect them with the resources they need. We also help Veterans access mental health services and other health-related support, because we know the challenges of transitioning out of service go far beyond paperwork and finances.

The Mission United team

Every day, I connect with Veterans who are transitioning, facing homelessness or simply trying to navigate systems that can feel overwhelming. Some are elderly. Some are isolated. Many are carrying visible and invisible scars from their service.

But Mission United is more than a resource hub. It’s a place where Veterans can find both support and understanding. Whether we’re helping a family locate food resources or assisting a Veteran who has been unhoused for years in finding permanent housing, every interaction matters.

Sometimes, what they need most isn’t just a resource, it’s connection. A conversation. A moment to be heard. A reminder that they are not alone.

There are moments after certain phone calls where I have to pause, because this work is more than coordination. It’s human. It’s emotional. It’s real.

This isn’t just a job to me. It’s an opportunity to lead with patience, grace and purpose to serve those who have served. And I am proud to be part of a team that shows up every single day to do just that.

I know what it feels like to face uncertainty and not know where to turn. I also know how life-changing it can be when someone shows up and says, “you’re not alone.”

That’s what we strive to do every day at Mission United.

If you or a Veteran you know needs support, or if you’re looking for ways to give back to those who have served, we invite you to connect with us. Because together, we can ensure no Veteran is left behind.

To learn more, visit unitedwaynefl.org/mission-united/