Veteran's success through art

Posted: Nov 22, 2010 5:01 PM by Stephanie Collins
Updated: Nov 22, 2010 8:07 PM

For some of our war veterans the transition back to civilian life can be difficult. Many struggle to find work to make a living, but there are success stories.

Army veteran Jerry Shook works construction during the day, but in his evenings he's the proud owner of The Mud Hut in the Seurity-Widefield area of El Paso County. Shook was in the Army from 1996 to 2000, when he got out he went back to school and rediscovered his passion, "Started taking some more arts classes and wound up in a pottery class, hadn't done it since high school and fell back in love with it," says Shook.

While Shook seems to be on the right track, a lot of vets struggle to find their way, "This past year we've noticed a large increase in the requests for support from our veterans," explains April Speake with The Home Front Cares.

It's an increase due in part to a down economy, "The jobs just aren't as abundant as they used to be so these veterans aren't just getting out and landing these jobs," adds Speake.

Shook also offers a type of support to fellow vets and soldiers, stress relief through art, "It's a chunk of clay so you can slam it down and let a little anger out on it, kinda get some things out, " says Shook.

For more on The Mud Hut, or to contact them about their classes, click here.

And for more on The Home Front Cares click here.