For nearly two decades, Marine Corps veteran Rob Slaughter lived in the shadows on the streets of LA. After losing both parents and being discharged from the service after less than four months, the former infantryman found himself without a family, a home, or a future.
Eventually, addiction and homelessness led him to Skid Row, where suicide started to seem like the only way out.
“People wanted me dead. I wanted me dead. I needed another reason to live,” he said.
But there was a higher path in store for him, one that would lead to a life Slaughter now sees as “a miracle.”
“God saved me,” he said.
After enrolling in the New Directions for Veterans New Directions for Veterans transitional housing and recovery program on the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus, Slaughter earned his sobriety and has since rebuilt his life from the ground up. Now, he’s a resident, leader, and successful tradesman on the historic campus, a place he said, “changed me.”
For Slaughter, living on the property is an honor and a privilege, and it’s up to him and other veterans to maintain a safe, healing space for all who reside there – a mission he’s committed to.
“We have to maintain our honor,” he said. “I have to fight for that.”
From Hollywood to Heartache
Born and raised in LA, Slaughter had a stint as a child actor, starring alongside actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Scott Bakula. Even with this Hollywood beginning, he didn’t dream of becoming a movie star.
“I just wanted to join the Marines,” he said.
As a teenager, he and some friends got into some trouble with vandalism, and probation kept him from joining the military until he was 22. Just before he enlisted, his mother died in a house fire.
Tragically, his father also passed away soon after he deployed. But the Red Cross couldn’t locate Slaughter to give him the news for three months. The double tragedy “stunted my growth,” he said.
Soon after he turned to amphetamines, which led to his discharge. He was alone, with no family and no path forward.
But as a skilled carpenter and construction worker, Slaughter’s talents helped him earn money, even while he was held captive by addiction. This went on for 15 years after leaving the service.
“In 2018 I was at my lowest point and had nowhere to go. I was living in a van with my cat and my tools, still making a living,” he said.
That was when things started to shift for him.
“I had a God moment,” he said.
The path eventually led him to New Directions. The program’s structure was exactly what he needed to get his life back on track.
“For once in my adult life I was getting to know myself sober,” he said. “What do I really like? What are my real interests? I found I did like me.”
Making the Right Choices
Through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program, Slaughter secured his own apartment at 671 MacArthur Ave., home to 74 formerly homeless veterans on the West LA VA Medical Center campus.
Soon, Slaughter was faced with a career choice: work security at a nightclub or as a tradesman painting new housing for veterans on campus. He went with the latter, knowing that a nightclub environment could lead him astray.
“I took a chance and it blessed me,” he said.
Slaughter found his position through Power2Workers, an organization that helps connect veterans with construction and trade jobs on campus. Now, he’s second in command and thriving in his role. He was able to purchase a motorcycle, adopt his beloved labrador Honi, and has almost saved enough for his dream car: a Tesla.
As the founder of the peer-led veteran Council in his building, Slaughter is also helping to create a standard of safety and behavior for veteran residents as the campus population continues to grow.
“I’ve graduated to this level that I can take on this responsibility to do something for other people,” he said.
Slaughter believes that living on the historic property comes with responsibility. Through Veteran Council, Slaughter has helped to create an organized system for reporting and addressing safety concerns or issues between residents. The council has already expanded to 720 Bonsall Ave, another veteran residence on campus.
‘He Is an Inspiration’
Every day, Slaughter is making a positive difference, said his HUD-VASH Case Manager Andrea Nuemann.
“He is an inspiration because he has his life together. It’s incredible how far he has come,” she said.
Keeping the peace requires work from veterans, said Slaughter, and it’s up to residents to work together.
“If we’re not going to be honorable while we’re here, this isn’t the property for us. This is for veterans who want change.”
Slaughter continues to speak up for his peers in other ways as well, advocating for more internet access to help veterans seek new opportunities, and for more transportation options, particularly for older veterans.
When Slaughter isn’t painting or leading the council, he’s taking acting or art classes – creative outlets he recommends to other veterans. Recently, he helped to write and acted in, The 1922 World’s Fair, an original play created by veteran alumni of New Directions.
‘It Can Stop’
To other veterans who are at the end of their rope, Slaughter has faith they can overcome, just like he did.
“To the guy that is desperate, done, tired, sick, crazy, crying to himself – it can stop,” he said. “Call upon God to show you the way and start trusting.”
Slaughter plans to continue to show other veterans what’s possible and remain a leader as the campus evolves.
“I’d love Veteran Council to become a job one day,” he said.
Dedicated is the perfect word to describe Slaughter, said Neumann.
“The veterans who want to better their lives go to the council meetings, they hang out with Rob, they get to know him and get the encouragement that they need.”
Ultimately, Slaughter wants other veterans to know that there is a path to healing and recovery, if they’re willing to trust.
“Don’t do it your way for once, do it someone else’s way,” he said. “Give yourself a chance.”
Just like maintaining peace, maintaining sobriety also takes work.
“Nothing is guaranteed, I’m not in the clear,” he said. “I have a lifetime to maintain this. But I’m on this path and, of course, I see it as a miracle. It’s amazing to me.”