AUGUSTA, Ga. () — A local veteran who once encountered homelessness is now actively supporting others in similar situations. Dr. A. Jerome Butler and his wife Crystal are assisting unhoused veterans and their families by providing housing, support, and opportunities for a fresh start.

Dr. Butler’s narrative is not just about the hardships he endured, but also the transformation that followed. “I experienced a period of homelessness myself right here in Augusta, Georgia,” he recollected. “I stayed with some family members, moving from couch to couch.”

This veteran has transformed adversity into a mission through The Grace Project. “We provide homes and assist our transitional partners in emerging from homelessness,” he detailed. This involves housing support, job assistance, and financial literacy, all supported by his additional initiative, Trade Academy Pro. “We educate people on investing — stocks, crypto, investment properties. We offer free tuition to all our transition partners.”

The nonprofit has completed one home in South Carolina. More are in the works, but funding’s tight. “It costs us anywhere from 30 to 50 thousand dollars per project. We don’t have any grants right now. We’re still seeking grant funding or even a philanthropist.”

They’re trying to break the cycle — not just for the vets, but for their families. “We want to be a generational transitional partner so their children don’t go into poverty and they get out of being unhoused themselves.

Butler and his team will be at the Augusta Veterans Expo on May 14 at the W.T. Johnson Center. The one one-day, no-cost event aimed at supporting veterans, transitioning service members, and their families. “We’ll be at Table 8. Anyone that needs info about getting out of homelessness — we’re right there, Dr. Butler said.

And to anyone who feels stuck — “Don’t give up. Augusta was a perfect incubator for me. You can get out of any situation you’re in,” he added.