Herb Lansdowne has lived in Reston, VA, for most of his life. As a child, his immediate and extended family lived within a stone’s throw of each other and have always been very close. From an early age, this shaped his strong sense of community and service to others. He grew up in a single-parent household, and despite the struggles, he found a way forward through the Army, which became a defining chapter in his life.
Herb’s love for service led him to the military.
“I wasn’t sure at first, but after speaking with recruiters, I decided to join the Army.” – Herb
In 2004, at the age of 26, Herb enlisted in the Army. Throughout his six years of service, which included deployments to Iraq, Herb formed bonds with his fellow soldiers that remain strong to this day. However, his time in the military also took a toll on his health.
During his service, Herb developed sleep apnea, a condition that would later impact his ability to adjust to civilian life. The exhaustion and health challenges that came with it made finding stability even more difficult.
“Men, soldiers, are not supposed to ask for help. We become judged. We are supposed to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, even when we are sinking.” – Herb
Despite the structure and sense of community he had gained at home and during his time in the military, transitioning back to civilian life was more difficult than Herb had expected.
In early 2022, he faced the tragic loss of his mother and painful separation from his partner of many years. Lacking proper care, his sleep apnea also made it difficult for him to maintain a job. He lost his home, became unemployed, and struggled to support himself. These challenges forced him to move between hotels and other temporary living situations. At one point, he was living with his brother. But over time, the lack of stability took its toll, and Herb found himself searching for help.
“Eventually, I got involved with the VA and was connected with the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.” – Herb
Through Volunteers of America’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, Herb was introduced to Courtenay, one of our amazing case managers, who became a pivotal source of guidance and hope.
“Courtenay was the best. Very understanding. She could take charge of any situation. She stood on the front line when I wasn’t able to. She showed me how to keep driving forward. I started to ask her for advice on anything. She is an angel. ” – Herb
Courtenay made Herb feel seen, providing him access to financial resources, job readiness support, and the regular check-ins he needed to stay on track and move forward.
“The team at VOA made me feel important. They didn’t just leave me to figure things out on my own—they kept checking in, offering help, and guiding me through the process.” – Herb
“Volunteers of America tossed me a rope, knelt down to give me a hand. They gave me a little push in the back, and never once judged me or made me feel inadequate. VOA provided me with tools, help, and guidance.” – Herb
Thanks to the support he received, Herb landed a job at Michael & Son Services and now has a place to call home.
“They’ve helped me get back on my feet, and I’m ready to keep moving forward.” – Herb
Part of his service to the community also extends beyond the military—Herb has a love for coaching youth basketball, a passion that allows him to continue giving back.
To learn more about our SSVF program in Virginia, visit www.voachesapeake.org/ssvf-va or click the button below.