When Charles Theuri first set foot in the United States in 1999, he likely had no idea of the incredible, challenging, and ultimately redemptive path that lay ahead of him. Born in Kenya, Charles grew up hearing stories about his grandfather, who served during World War II. Inspired by this legacy and driven by a desire to find purpose and stability, Charles eventually found his own way to military service, enlisting in the United States Navy in 2008.
What followed was an eight-year journey of service that shaped Charles’ life in profound ways.
Charles initially studied business management and marketing in college but pivoted to the military in the wake of post-college uncertainty. Recruiters often visited his campus, and while he wasn’t interested at first, that eventually changed. “Some of my friends ended up joining,” he recalls. “So that made me look into it.”
In the Navy, Charles found his passion for logistics and supply chain management, roles that allowed him to serve with focus and discipline. He deployed twice, once to Iraq in 2009 and later to the Gulf region, including time in the UAE. These deployments would later play a deeper role in his emotional and mental health, though Charles, like many veterans, didn’t realize it at the time.
After completing his service in 2016, Charles transitioned to civilian life, carrying with him a strong vision: to work in the aerospace industry with companies like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, or Raytheon. His military logistics experience made him a great fit, and within a year, he secured a role in that field. He had done what many veterans strive to do: translate his military skills into meaningful civilian employment.
But life doesn’t always follow the best-laid plans. Over time, Charles faced deeply personal challenges. His marriage ended in divorce. Financial burdens began to mount. A job loss forced him to start driving for Lyft to make ends meet, paying nearly $400 a week just to lease a car to keep working. Despite his efforts, Charles found himself overwhelmed and on the verge of eviction.
In 2023, in one of his most difficult moments, Charles was referred to Hope For The Warriors. “I was out of work. I was struggling,” Charles explains. “Everything was piling up. I had no car. I was just trying to survive.”
Through HOPE, Charles not only received emergency financial support that helped him stave off eviction; he also received something far deeper: belief, encouragement, and genuine human connection. “They reached out to my landlord and reassured them,” he says. “They gave me time. They gave me a chance.”
HOPE’s support didn’t stop there. Charles was also connected with career support services, including resume building and interview coaching. Those tools helped him land a new job at Amazon while he continued to pursue his dream of rejoining the aerospace industry.
Eventually, that dream came full circle. Charles secured a job in California, returning to a role in supply chain and subcontracting within aerospace. “It worked out really well,” he says. “Everything just fell in place in a way that I can’t even explain. I thank God for that.”
Beyond the practical support, HOPE also played a key role in helping Charles face deeper struggles that had gone unaddressed for years: PTSD stemming from deployments and childhood trauma. “I was not in a good space emotionally,” he admits. “But HOPE helped me understand what I was going through.”
Through a combination of VA counseling, faith, and guidance from HOPE team members, Charles began to heal. “At some point, I had completely given up,” he reflects. “But then, I started to believe again. I remember reading an email from HOPE that ended with ‘Giving HOPE,’ and I replied with ‘Receiving HOPE.’ That’s how I felt, I was finally receiving hope.”
Today, Charles is thriving. He’s employed in a field he loves, emotionally grounded, and passionate about giving back. “I believe everything happens for a reason,” he says. “Now I just want to share what I’ve learned, to help others going through something similar.”
His story is a testament to HOPE’s vision of restoring a sense of self, family, and hope to service members, veterans, and military families.
And to those who may be struggling silently, Charles offers this encouragement:
“We all go through seasons in life. If we trust, believe, and have hope, we can get through anything.”
If you or someone you know is a veteran facing hardship, remember you are not alone. HOPE For The Warriors is here to walk with you through the toughest moments, helping to turn uncertainty into stability, and despair into strength.
