From Soldier to Survivor: Alex Jones Finds Hope at Harbor Care

When Alex returned home from military service, he expected a life of stability, surrounded by family and the familiar sights of New Hampshire. Instead, he found himself facing a devastating reality: a broken home, the collapse of his marriage, and a downward spiral that left him homeless. Today Alex stands strong, sober for nearly two years, thanks to the support of Harbor Care and our team at BAE Systems Independence Hall in Manchester. His story is a testament to resilience, the importance of mental health, and the power of community.

A former cavalry scout in the U.S. Army, Alex served from 2007 to 2014, completing two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. "I joined because it was my only way out of that little town of Hopkinton," Alex recalled. His time in the Army was grueling, serving in convoy security and calling in airstrikes while navigating both urban combat in Iraq and the mountainous, remote regions of Afghanistan.

Yet, the battles Alex faced abroad were only a precursor to the challenges awaiting him back home. Upon returning, he was met with the dissolution of his marriage. "I came home to nothing," he said. "My wife wasn't living in our house anymore, and someone else was." The pain of his personal losses—his family, his home, and eventually his job—sent Alex into a downward spiral. “I lost everything in rapid succession,” he explained. "That's when I ended up living in my car."

Hitting Rock Bottom

When he lost his car, Alex found himself at the lowest point in his life, homeless and struggling with alcoholism. "I was cold, living in a barn at one point, drinking myself to death on the floor," Alex recalled, his voice filled with a mix of pain and relief. “I was drinking at least a handle a day. I realized that if I didn’t change something, I wasn’t going to make it."

With nowhere else to turn, Alex reached out for help through a crisis line. He was directed to various recovery programs, including detox and rehabilitation centers. It was then that Alex began piecing his life back together, focusing not only on sobriety but also his mental health.

“In early recovery, you think back on everything [addiction] took from you – all the jobs you lost, all the money you spent, all the fights you got in. Everybody else was always the problem,” he said. “I had to learn to be honest with myself and tell myself that I was the problem. And I needed help.”

Harbor Care: A New Beginning

Through the support of a VA social worker, Alex connected with Harbor Care, specifically BAE Systems Independence Hall, where we provide permanent and transitional housing for veterans. Initially apprehensive about what this new chapter would look like, Alex was surprised when he arrived. "I thought it was going to be like a homeless shelter with bunk beds," he said. "But no, it’s an actual apartment—a home."

Harbor Care gave Alex something he hadn’t had in years: a sense of stability. "For the first time in 15 years, I feel like I’m home," Alex said. "I have a place where I can focus on myself without the constant panic of survival."

Today Alex enjoys a two-bedroom apartment, where he can host his two daughters. The walls are filled with pictures, the pantry stocked with food, and, as he puts it, “It looks like a home.” His daughters have become part of the community, leaving messages on the communal blackboard and sharing their happiness with the residents. “They love it here,” Alex said proudly.

A Life Worth Fighting For

Alex is not just rebuilding his life for himself—he’s also doing it for his daughters. While the struggles of the past still echo in their lives, he’s committed to showing them a better way. "I tell them the truth," he said. "They know daddy used to drink too much, but now I’m focused on staying sober, on being their anchor."

His journey from addiction to recovery has given Alex a new sense of purpose. “I didn’t think two hours of sobriety was possible, let alone two years,” he shared. Now, he focuses on small, attainable goals to keep from feeling overwhelmed. His biggest long-term goals? Completing his psychology degree with a focus on mental health and eventually working with veterans or running a sober facility. "I want to help people the way Harbor Care helped me," Alex said. "If I can save just one person, it’ll be worth it."

For Alex, Harbor Care was more than just a roof over his head—it was the lifeline he needed to rebuild his life. He is quick to point out that Harbor Care doesn’t "hold your hand," but it gives people the resources and space to make change possible. “Harbor Care gave me a place to clear my head and get myself pointed in the right direction,” Alex explained. “But I had to decide to do the work myself.”

As he looks to the future, Alex remains deeply grateful for the support he’s received, not just from Harbor Care but from the people who helped him along the way. “I joke that I’m the sheriff around here,” he said with a smile. "But I represent this building. Look at how far I’ve come, and it’s all because Harbor Care gave me the chance." He said his life today would not be possible without BAE’s case managers, Matt Krupa and Stephanie Lescard.

Alex’s story is one of resilience, personal responsibility, and the power of community. It’s about falling, hitting rock bottom, but finding the strength to climb back up—with help. And now, as he charts a new path, he hopes to inspire others to do the same.

“I never thought I’d make it this far,” he said. “Now, I think before, I was just alive, and now I’m figuring out what living means.”