Wisconsin Veteran finds forever home

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – “He was homeless and living at a hotel,” said Christina Johnson.

That was Michael Cloyd’s life 8 months ago.

“I started falling down, and it kept getting worse,” said Cloyd. The 73 year old Vietnam Veteran was living out of a motel. His health was detreating.

Johnson said “I got a call from the home health nurse that he had had multiple falls.”

“One of the guests called the ambulance,” said Cloyd.

Mike was taken to the VA Hospital near the end of last year. Where he remained for nearly four months due to complications in finding assisted living.

Cloyd said ”“I don’t know what it was with finding housing, but I couldn’t.”

Mike’s daughter says he had some issues earlier in life that people weren’t willing to look past. That was until Vilitha Clay and her family opened the doors to their home.

“I feel like despite your background and circumstances everyone deserves a second chance at redemption, at hope and at support,” said Clay.

For Vilitha, this was a dream come true.

She said “I would always talk to my co-workers about wanting to open an adult family home.”

It’s been four months since Mike moved in and so much progress has already been made.

“I think that when he got here he was a little more quiet and more reserved and there was some anxiousness there just needing to get used to this new environment…but he’s handled it very well,” said Dion Huff.

Gaining nearly forty pounds of healthy weight. Mikes daughter says she can’t explain the difference this has made on her fathers mental health.

“He looks happier, he looks healthier,” said Johnson.

Mike would agree.

“The staff is real nice…they are there when I need them you know,” said Cloyd.

For the Love Recovery and Connections staff, Mike is more than a resident.

“Mike is family” said Clay.

From family gatherings to mothers day brunch.

“I’ve come to look at this a lot less like a job and just more of a connection that I am building with Mike…really been able to build a familial connection with Mike,” said Huff.

“I think this is what veterans are going to want, they want a small family setting and they want to be a part of the family and part of the community,” said Jordan Miller.

“To see how happy mike is I think that’s the best part,” said Clay.

The goal remains to bring more adult family homes like this to Dane county.

“I think seeing the programs in other parts of the united states…and visiting the homes and seeing how well those veterans are doing, it just motivates me to bring this to Madison,” said Miller.

Providing love, recovery, and connection.

“I think at the end of the day where all just people who need love, support and acceptance. And I think that we should treat each other with dignity and respect regardless of where we come from and our age,” said Clay.

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