SANTA MARIA, Calif. – After a pair of life‑changing strokes left Army veteran Ryan Twidwell unable to speak, read or move independently, the Good Samaritan Shelter stepped in to provide housing, medical referrals and a path to permanent residence.
From Hospital to Homelessness
Twidwell, who served in Afghanistan in 2003, spent two years in the hospital following his strokes. During the second stroke he fell from a three‑story building, sustaining severe physical and cognitive injuries. “When I got the stroke, I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t read. I couldn’t do anything really,” he recalled. “I was scared and couldn’t remember for a long time.”
Extended hospitalization caused him to lose his home, leaving him homeless when doctors finally cleared him for discharge. His case was referred to Good Samaritan Shelter, a local nonprofit that runs a Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program for veterans.
Veteran Services at Good Samaritan Shelter
“Ryan came across our referral desk while he was recovering,” said Tawny Lino, the shelter’s Veteran Services Director. “We thought fresh eyes would be easier on his case, so we took him in and brought him into our GPD program.” The shelter operates two five‑bedroom, five‑bathroom homes that serve as hubs for the program.
Lino explained that the shelter’s approach is to “wrap around” each veteran: connecting them to the Department of Veterans Affairs, arranging outpatient and inpatient treatment, assisting with benefit claims, and linking them to food banks and other community resources. “We tailor their progress to their individual needs,” she said.
Path to Permanent Housing
Through the shelter’s housing navigator, Twidwell was linked to the VA Supportive Housing (VASH) program, which provides rental assistance similar to Section 8 for veterans. The assistance enabled him to secure an apartment in nearby Grover Beach, giving him a stable base to continue his recovery.
Twidwell expressed gratitude for the support. “I’m happy, really happy,” he said. “It is definitely hard for me from the stroke, but I am happy. They helped me. They’re the best, and I love them. Thank God that they helped me.”
Community Impact and Ongoing Efforts
Good Samaritan Shelter is one of two local nonprofits partnering with News Channel 12 for its annual Turkey Drive, which runs through Nov. 19. Donations collected in San Luis Obispo County benefit the SLO Food Bank, while those from Santa Barbara County go directly to Good Samaritan clients, including veterans like Twidwell.
Lino noted that the shelter’s work extends beyond housing. “We do our best to get veterans connected to the VA, outpatient treatment, food banks, and any services they need,” she said. “Seeing Ryan’s transformation over the past two years has been a miracle for all of us.”
The story of Ryan Twidwell underscores the vital role that faith‑grounded, community‑driven organizations play in restoring dignity and independence to those who have served our nation.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
