AUGUSTA, Ga. () — A local veteran who once faced homelessness is now giving back in a big way. Dr. A. Jerome Butler and his wife Crystal are helping unhoused vets and their families get back on their feet by offering housing, support, and a second chance.

Dr. Butler’s story isn’t just about struggle, but it’s about what comes after. “I went through a stint of homelessness myself here in Augusta, Georgia, he recalled. “Couch riding with some family members.”

He’s a veteran who turned hardship into a mission — creating The Grace Project. “We actually offer homes. We help our transitional partners come out of homelessness,” he shared. That includes housing, job help, and money skills all backed by his other program, Trade Academy Pro. “We teach people how to invest… stocks, crypto, investment property. We give free tuition to all our transition partners.”

The nonprofit has completed one home in South Carolina. More are in the works, but funding’s tight. “It costs us anywhere from 30 to 50 thousand dollars per project. We don’t have any grants right now. We’re still seeking grant funding or even a philanthropist.”

They’re trying to break the cycle — not just for the vets, but for their families. “We want to be a generational transitional partner so their children don’t go into poverty and they get out of being unhoused themselves.

Butler and his team will be at the Augusta Veterans Expo on May 14 at the W.T. Johnson Center. The one one-day, no-cost event aimed at supporting veterans, transitioning service members, and their families. “We’ll be at Table 8. Anyone that needs info about getting out of homelessness — we’re right there, Dr. Butler said.

And to anyone who feels stuck — “Don’t give up. Augusta was a perfect incubator for me. You can get out of any situation you’re in,” he added.