ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The needs of military veterans can be much more pressing and complex than those of the average civilian. At a recent Rochester event called Stand Down, one man in particular who helps his fellow veterans with their needs knows first-hand what those needs are — because he’s been there. 

As Tony Gaines greeted fellow veterans at the entrance to Rochester Public Market, he reflected on some things.

“This is a good turnout, man,” said Gaines, a Navy veteran from Rochester. “The mindset is good today.”

Gaines is right at home among fellow veterans. He is a peer support recovery counselor at Veterans Outreach Center, which means he’s there for them.

“The guys that come to the outreach, I speak their language,” he said. “I lived their life.”

At the Stand Down event, veterans from all around Rochester got not only a meal, clothing and supplies, but were also hooked up with benefits, potential employers, and physical and mental health care providers.

“The truth of the matter is, many of our veterans need those services,” said David VanBlarcom, who oversees the homeless veterans reintegration program at VOC. “There are services out there that will make a real difference in their lives, but they don't always know about them.”

As he walked down aisles of booths set up by service providers, Gaines explained that he has been on both sides of the table. By the time he got out of the Navy, he was an addict who became homeless. He spent time in jail. Gaines found peace through the VOC.

“It was more than just kinds of service that we offer,” he said. “Tony, how are you doing today? We care about you. How you feeling?"

People who cared, who helped him eventually find a home and get clean.  

“They were there,” said Gaines. “When you have people who sacrifice their time to help you, to hold your hand, to walk you through it, it means a lot.”

Providers say the needs of veterans in general are often much more acute than the general population.

“Sometimes it's because of things that will happen to them,” said VanBlarcom. “And more often than not, it’s because of things that have happened to them in their service.”

Having someone who can relate is why Gaines is working with other veterans now. Without someone in his corner, the outcome might have been different.

“Dead,” he said when asked where he might be now without the assistance. “Dead, because so many times I was in a position to lose my life.”

Now, he’s in a position to help others with their lives.

“When guys come in, I see where I was,” said Gaines. “And I see where I am today. And I like where I am today.  And this gives me the drive to keep going.”