Meeting Purpose

Podcast interview with veteran entrepreneur Bob Hildreth about his journey and business Two Homeless Vets

• Bob founded Two Homeless Vets to help transition homeless veterans into stable housing and employment through community support, skills training, and entrepreneurship opportunities
• The organization uses a dual non-profit/for-profit model to provide services and generate revenue through house flipping and fencing projects
• Bob emphasizes the importance of identity, community, and healing for veterans transitioning to civilian life
• The business aims to create a large-scale "heroes village" in North Carolina to support 5,000-7,500 homeless veterans

• Served in U.S. Army and Army Reserve from 1986-1994
• Originally trained as an 18D (Special Forces Medic) but became an airborne medic due to injury
• Influenced by early mentor who was one of the original Green Berets
• Experienced homelessness and PTSD after leaving the military

• Lack of structured plan and support when leaving military
• Loss of identity tied to military service
• Need for community and purpose in civilian life
• Difficulty adapting to less regimented civilian environment

• For-profit arm provides job training and employment through fencing and house flipping projects
• Non-profit arm (Healing Crayons) allows for land acquisition and grant funding
• Plans to develop food truck program to provide entrepreneurship opportunities for veterans
• Offers up to 2-year residency in transition centers for veterans to heal and develop skills