Roderick Coleman. Photos by John Ross Ferrara.

Four months ago, disabled veteran Roderick Coleman was living on the streets of San Francisco, neglecting his infected leg, swollen with pus, as he sold his antibiotics for more crack.

“I was at the bottom; the pit of my life,” Coleman said. “That’s when I entered into a mental health facility in Palo Alto and told the social worker ‘I’m tired, I reached the bottom and I can’t go much further.’”

A social worker suggested the 58-year-old escape his negative surroundings and enter a North Coast Veterans Resource Center program for homeless veterans.

When the 6-foot 4-inch recovering addict entered the program, he weighed 190 pounds. Four months later he’s gained 50 pounds and is an active member of the Eureka community.

“This program saved my life,” Coleman said. “I started volunteering in the community helping the elderly, attending city council meetings, I’m active in my church and I’m enrolled at College of the Redwoods to get my GED.”

Coleman keeps reminders of his sobriety close. When asked how long he was clean, he reached for his smartphone.

“Hold on let me check,” Coleman said chuckling as he opened a sobriety application. “Four months, seven days, 13 seconds and counting.”

Coleman hangs photos of his new life in Eureka along his bedside as a reminder to stay the course. He is also a self-proclaimed Ray Charles fanatic and is learning how to play piano.

Coleman sometimes visits the VA hospital in Eureka and entertains the receptionists by impersonating his musical idol.

“I’ve made a lot of friends who work at the VA hospital,” Coleman said. “I call them my Raylets.”

Coleman said he enjoys giving back to the community, and would like to be a public speaker for troubled youths one day.

“I try to be a shining light for others, let them know where I came from,” Coleman said. “What made me decide to turn it around is that this program gives me the willingness to do better. The rest is just the person wanting to apply themselves.”

Coleman said he wanted people to know that the program is very respectful toward veterans and provides the tools to live a better life.

“If it wasn’t for this house I would have a chance,” Coleman said. “They have a passion for the vet. They get to the core of the problem and help them get on track.”

Veterans seeking help can contact the North Coast Veterans Resource Center to apply for the program.

NCVRC Supportive Services Case Manager Ryan McGonagle said veterans can stop by the office in Eureka to fill out an application or an application can be mailed out.

“Right now we have have about four beds available in our grant and per diem program, and about five or six beds available in out behavioral health program,” McGonagle said.

Veterans are allowed to spend 90 days in the behavioral health program, and can apply for two more years of housing with the grant and per diem program.

Roderick and his fellow veteran Manny Alvarado.