Two Navy Veterans Building a New Path for Homeless and Justice-Impacted Veterans

Timothy Pena • May 15, 2026

Together, their organizations have the potential to create a powerful support pipeline connecting veterans in New York, Florida, and beyond.

New York / Florida - Across the country, veterans continue to face growing challenges tied to homelessness, incarceration, unstable housing, and barriers to reintegration. While many programs exist to address these issues, veterans often struggle navigating fragmented systems that lack coordination, accountability, and long-term support. Out of this crisis, two Navy veterans — Cherie M. Smith of Open Gate Transitional Services of Florida and Timothy Pena of Veterans Justice Project — have emerged with missions rooted in advocacy, dignity, accountability, and second chances. Together, their organizations have the potential to create a powerful support pipeline connecting veterans in New York, Florida, and beyond.


Both Smith and Pena share a deep commitment to exposing failures within the Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem (GPD) transitional housing system while fighting to create real pathways toward stability. Their advocacy is grounded not in politics, but in lived experience, military service, and direct interaction with veterans navigating homelessness and reentry challenges every day.


Rebuilding the Lives of Citizens, Families, and Veterans

Open Gate Transitional Services of Florida was founded to serve homeless individuals, justice-impacted citizens, veterans, and families affected by incarceration. The organization focuses on housing connections, advocacy resources, community partnerships, and opportunities for long-term stability. Cherie Smith’s vision centers on restoration, accountability, and helping individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and support. 


That mission aligns closely with Timothy Pena’s work through Veterans Justice Project and his advocacy surrounding the Grant and Per Diem program in New York City. Pena has consistently raised concerns about conditions within veteran transitional housing programs, particularly at the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence, where veterans have reported violence, unsafe conditions, substance abuse activity, and systemic failures in oversight.


Together, the missions of Open Gate and Veterans Justice Project create the possibility for a coordinated veteran support pipeline between Florida and New York. Veterans leaving shelters, transitional programs, or unstable environments in New York could potentially connect with supportive housing opportunities, advocacy networks, and community resources through Open Gate in Florida. Likewise, veterans in Florida seeking opportunities, services, advocacy support, or relocation assistance could benefit from the outreach, navigation, and resource systems connected to Veterans Justice Project and allied organizations in New York.

Creating a Pipeline of Support

This type of interstate collaboration could help reduce the number of veterans who fall through the cracks when relocating, exiting incarceration, transitioning from shelters, or attempting to restart their lives. Instead of veterans being forced to navigate unfamiliar systems alone, both organizations could help provide continuity of care, trusted referrals, advocacy support, and peer-driven guidance from fellow veterans who understand the challenges firsthand.


As Navy veterans, Smith and Pena understand the values of service, leadership, and responsibility. They believe veterans should not simply be processed through systems but supported as individuals deserving dignity, opportunity, and hope. Their advocacy also emphasizes that veterans are stronger when organizations work together instead of operating in isolation.


Open Gate Transitional Services of Florida and Veterans Justice Project represent more than advocacy organizations. Together, they represent the foundation for a growing national network focused on accountability, transitional support, housing stability, and second chances for veterans and justice-impacted individuals alike.


Printable pdf (3 pages)


Timothy Pena is a service-connected disabled Navy veteran for PTSD and has written about his experiences with mental health, homelessness, and the judicial system. Suffering mental illness, he initially visited NYC to collaborate on a documentary for veteran suicide but decided to stay after realizing he would rather be homeless in NYC than dead in Phoenix. He has been writing stories and blogs about his journey from “homeless to homeness” in the NYC Dept of Homeless Services system and possible corruption within DHS and Veterans Affairs Grant & Per Diem Transitional Program.