(KRON) — J.R. Wilson, a veteran from Antioch, is transforming his past struggles into hope for others by organizing one of Northern California’s largest veteran support events.
Wilson, who once lived on the streets of Antioch as a homeless teenager, now leads efforts to assist veterans through the Delta Veterans Group, which he founded in 2012. His initiative, Stand Down on the Delta, launched in 2015, provides essential services and support to veterans in need.
“They really gave me a new mission of how to serve our veterans community,” Wilson said, reflecting on his work with Disabled American Veterans after returning from military service.
Wilson’s journey from homelessness to community leader began after he dropped out of school at 17 and joined the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Corps. His service took him from the streets of Antioch to bases at Fort Bragg and South Korea.
After a knee injury ended his military career, Wilson dedicated himself to helping veterans, drawing on his own experiences of hardship. In 2011, he returned to Contra Costa County and noticed an increase in homelessness, prompting him to take action.
Stand Down on the Delta is a four-day event that offers housing, medical care, legal assistance, and a path to stability for veterans. Since its inception, the event has grown significantly, bringing together veterans and volunteers to provide crucial support.
Through his work with Delta Veterans Group and Stand Down on the Delta, J.R. Wilson continues to fulfill his promise to help others avoid the struggles he once faced, ensuring that no veteran has to walk the road alone.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KRON4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KRON4 staff before being published.
