Categories: Network Events
10.30.2024
“I've seen Sean grow through a lot of trials and tribulations,” said Frank Amalfitano, President and CEO at United Veterans Beacon House (UVBH) on Long Island. “He has dealt with the problems as they came, asked for assistance as needed and handled the problems without panic and regret. And he always puts his family first.”
Born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Sean Butterfield served in the United States Marine Corps from 2003 to 2009 including two deployments to Iraq – one to Fallujah, and one to Al-Taqaddum. After returning home, Sean had trouble adjusting back from military life, maintaining employment and stable housing. Through those challenges, he remained determined to find stability for his family.
But Sean struggled. As he says “the veteran community is different. We have baggage that we bring around that we don't like to share,” although he added “We deal with it, we fight our demons” the reaching out for assistance is often difficult. “Sometimes the essential stuff, the most important stuff, like housing, is what breaks people.” Sean struggled with his own demons as well as the additional ones that came with needing to provide for his family. He had trouble holding down a job and ended up sleeping on the porch of his in-laws’ house. When they decided to sell, he was facing homelessness – for himself, his wife and their three children.
Luckily there was United Veterans Beacon House who almost immediately came to the rescue offering the family a home and whatever supports they needed through their Homes for Heroes program. Says Sean: “United Veteran Beacon House…what they mean to my family is… essentially extended family.”
In the four years since move-in the family has thrived: the kids are all doing well and Sean is the model father and neighbor, even putting out a fire at a neighbor’s house.
United Veterans Beacon House recognizes that veterans frequently struggle to adjust to civilian life and are deeply proud of Sean. Tina Sferrazza, Vice President of Development at UVBH says, “Throughout his time with us, Sean has expressed his deep gratitude for the support he has received, never hesitating to embrace opportunities and resources that would advance and stabilize his family’s future.”
Sean is also working on becoming an advocate for supportive housing, having joined a tenant roundtable in Long Island seeking to expand and improve the model there, especially for veterans.
For his service, gratitude, appreciation and dedication to his family and personal growth, we are honored to celebrate Sean Butterfield as one of our Tenants of the Year.