Helping the Homeless Earns Award

BY KYOTO WALKER

CNN Hero Roy Foster was chosen as a top ten finalist from 9,000 submissions in 100 countries.  Foster and friend, the late Donald Reid, started Faith Hope Love Charity, a nonprofit organization which helps homeless male veterans with substance abuse issues.  Foster founded Stand Down House in 2000.  Stand down is a reference in the military for a soldier to be at ease.  The house has serviced over 900 veterans to date. 
Foster struggled with alcoholism and drug addication for many years and found himself living out of a care or in houses with other users. 
“No utilities, no lights, no water.  All the toilets filled with everything.  I was on the verge of being arrested.
Foster sought treatment for his addictions and says he has been clean for nearly 20 years.
It is important to remember the battle scars that veterans carry with them each day, Foster said.
“Veterans are our men and women who have dedicated their lives in order to preserve our freedoms,” he said.
“Here in this country, they should never be abandoned or forgotten becasue their wars and battles will continue for a lifetime.  We must never forget.”
Foster currently resides in West Palm Beach with his wife Taretha.  

Photo/KYOTO WALKER    CNN Hero Roy Foster with West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel.  Foster was honored by the City of West Palm Beach in November 2009 for being selected as a CNN Hero with over 9,000 entrants from 100 countries for his efforts in helping at least 900 homeless veterans with substance abuse issues and finding them a place to live.

Tags: CNN Heroes, Palm Beach County, Roy Foster