EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – An Army career counselor with the 1st Armored Division received a special commendation on Monday morning, Nov. 25, from U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, for her outstanding contributions to the El Paso community.
Photos by Shaun Felice – KTSM
Sgt. 1st Class Samantha Recker operates Recker Outreach LLC, a private organization that helps transition homeless veterans into homes and find employment in the El Paso area, the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office said in a news release.
The organization also runs an eight-week, at-risk youth program, helping students to graduate from high school.
To date, the organization has helped 11 veterans find homes, nine find employment, and has enrolled 112 students with 89 successfully graduating high school, according to the news release.
“Her (Recker’s) outreach exemplifies her dedication to helping people in need and her selfless service to the community,” read the news release.
“I house three homeless veterans at a time. We try to get them off the street and back on their feet. And transition them into the new world successfully,” Recker said.
Recker explained how the organization takes a look into veterans’ individual needs and creates a plan for them.
“We provide them with basic needs — safety, food, and hygiene. We give them that self-confidence back. We get them into either an employment field or we work on their disability, just depending on their particular situation. And we go from there,” Recker said.
Veterans struggling and in need of help can reach out to the organization at (915) 275-9916 or visit their website here.
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