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From bootcamp to the battlefield and beyond, Michael Nash understands the unique challenges facing military veterans.
So after 23 years in the United States Army, Nash is the executive director of the New Bedford-based Veterans Transition House, a nonprofit organization devoted to assisting homeless veterans primarily throughout Bristol and Plymouth Counties.
The VTH offers rehabilitation, self-sufficiency and reintegration for homeless and at-risk veterans. The VTH motto is “Building Hope for Heroes,” and they maintain that they offer veterans “a hand up not a hand out.” The VTH served more than 320 people last year. The organization can house up to 84 veterans at a time in seven houses within a mile of downtown. Their offices are located at 1297 Purchase St.
Nash, born and raised in Virginia, said his military career was inspired by the events of 9/11. Six months after the attack, he enlisted in the Army as a military police officer. During his military tenure, Nash was deployed once to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq before a non-combat deployment to Guam.
Nash earned 18 major awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He also earned the prestigious Sapper Tab for leadership and the Sgt. Michael A. Grieve award for excellence in leadership.
Nash retired from the Army as a first sergeant in May 2025.
“Michael was selected for the position at VTH because he brings a strong combination of technical expertise, leadership capability, and a proven track record of delivering results in complex environments,” said James Ferrara, a board member at the VTH. “His collaborative approach and ability to build trust with stakeholders made him an ideal cultural fit for the organization. Additionally, his strategic vision aligned closely with VTH’s long‑term goals and priorities.”
Working with a staff of 24, Nash took his position at VTH after James Reid stepped down in August 2025. Reid had been executive director of the organization since January 2007. The VTH opened in 1990.
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Nash, 43, lives in Dartmouth with his wife, Jennifer, their son, Ryan, and daughter, Kaydence.
Nash talked with The Light about the VTH, more than two decades of military service, being in combat, the challenges facing veterans, and more.
New Bedford Light: What does the Veterans Transition House do?
Michael Nash: Our mission is to support veterans who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or struggling on low incomes. We work to help them regain stability by providing housing, support for addiction recovery, and the resources they need to get back on their feet.
For veterans who are already living independently in the community, we offer assistance to help them maintain their housing and avoid losing it.
While we primarily serve Bristol County and Plymouth County, we never turn away a veteran based on where they’re from. If a veteran needs a safe place to live and support to rebuild their life, we are committed to helping them.
NBL: What are the services you offer veterans?
MN: We’re able to support veterans in very practical and meaningful ways because of the grants we receive. Those funds allow us to help veterans secure housing by covering first and last month’s rent, security deposits, and even basic furniture once they move into their apartment. We also offer financial assistance for essential expenses like utilities and other household bills.
Employment support is another key part of our work. We help veterans build resumes, search for local job opportunities, complete applications, and provide funding for work-related needs, such as boots or required equipment.
We have two licensed clinical social workers on staff who meet with veterans multiple times a week, providing case management, counseling, and ongoing support tailored to each individual’s needs. In addition, our outreach program allows us to connect with veterans who may not know help is available. Our outreach specialist works directly in the community and in homeless encampments, partnering with local veteran organizations to locate unhoused veterans and connect them with services that can help them regain stability.
Our case managers also assist veterans with transportation to medical and other essential appointments, ensuring they can access the care they need. And we address basic needs as well — providing two meals a day, lunch and dinner. Last year alone, we served more than 20,000 meals, which shows just how critical these services are for the veterans we support.
NBL: What are your responsibilities as executive director?
MN: My role is to lead and organize our staff while ensuring the organization continues to move forward in a sustainable and strategic way. I focus on identifying efficiencies, strengthening our programs, and guiding the organization in new directions that support growth and long-term stability. Most importantly, I make sure we are delivering high-quality services that truly meet the needs of veterans in our local community.
NBL: What attracted you to this position?
MN: I consider this my “encore career.” After retiring from the military, I was looking for something meaningful, and this role truly fits that purpose. It’s a job I genuinely look forward to every day. As a veteran myself, serving other veterans is deeply personal to me — it’s my way of giving back to the community.
I spent 23 years working with active-duty service members and veterans, and when I retired, I knew I wanted to continue that service in a different way. This role allows me to stay connected to the community and make a real difference in the lives of those who have served.
NBL: What are the challenges you face?
MN: One of our biggest ongoing challenges is fundraising. As a nonprofit, we rely heavily on grants, but those don’t always cover all our operating costs. We work hard to bridge that gap through donations from the community and partnerships with local businesses, and that’s a continuous effort.
Another major challenge is that there’s no “cookie-cutter” veteran. Every individual who comes to us has a unique situation and different needs.
Many veterans struggle with addiction or mental health challenges, which require specialized support and resources. Unfortunately, community resources are often limited, and more robust programs are needed to help veterans address these issues effectively. Unwinding these situations and connecting veterans with the right services takes time, patience, and coordination. But it’s essential work, because every veteran’s path to stability is unique.
NBL: What are the personal rewards from being in this position?
MN: The biggest reward for me comes from being around veterans every day — whether they’re currently in our program or long past it. We have veterans who still come back to visit us regularly.
One veteran, in particular, stops by at least twice a month. He went through our program before my time and came back a few times before things finally clicked. Today, he’s sober, working in the local community, and openly shares his story as a testament to what’s possible. He speaks highly of VTH, and that means a great deal because our reputation in the community is built on outcomes like his.
Almost every week, we see at least one veteran move from homelessness into their own fully furnished apartment. If they’re able to work, we help them secure employment and put everything in place to set them up for success. Even after veterans leave the program, we stay in touch. They call, they visit, and they keep us updated on how they’re doing.
We receive powerful testimonials as well. One veteran who relocated to North Carolina sent us a letter saying that without VTH, he wasn’t sure he’d still be here. Today, he’s married, owns his own home, and has a successful career.
Those stories are incredibly meaningful to our entire staff. Knowing we played even a small role in a veteran’s transformation is what makes this work so rewarding.
NBL: In your perspective, what is the state of veterans in America?
MN: Veterans are a unique community built on a strong sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. Having served in the military in one way or another, many veterans feel misunderstood at times. What connects us is a shared bond. When veterans come together, there’s a sense of being back home.
NBL: What are some of the reasons that veterans become homeless?
MN: There are many factors that can lead a veteran to homelessness. It’s often a combination of circumstances. When service members leave the military, they face a complex transition, from navigating healthcare and filing disability claims to finding employment and establishing a new career.
Challenges like alcohol or substance use can also make this transition even more difficult. Missing a medical appointment, struggling with addiction, or being unable to secure a job can set someone back quickly, even through no fault of their own. Not every veteran has a strong family or support system to rely on, which increases the risk.
It’s often easier than people realize for a veteran to find themselves at risk of homelessness after leaving the service.
NBL: What changes could the government make to benefit veterans?
MN: I think things are moving in the right direction, but there are still challenges. One area that could use improvement is streamlining the VA process. For example, disability claims can take anywhere from four to eight months to process, and while veterans eventually receive back pay, there’s often a long wait without any income in the meantime. Some of this work has been outsourced, which helps, but delays remain a significant issue.
“As a veteran myself, serving other veterans is deeply personal to me — it’s my way of giving back to the community. ”
From the Army’s perspective, programs like Soldier for Life and the Transition Assistance Program have made a big difference. Soldiers can start up to two years before leaving the military, participating in programs like Boots to Business, building resumes, or accessing the Career Skills program.
With commander approval, they can get hands-on workforce experience before they exit service. While they aren’t paid during that time, it often leads directly to employment and helps them adjust to civilian life. Programs like these give veterans a stronger foundation and increase their chances of a successful transition.
NBL: What inspired you to join the military and how did it shape you?
MN: September 11th, 2001, was the moment that inspired me to join the military. At the time, I was attending automotive and diesel college in Virginia Beach, working toward becoming a mechanic. I had completed the automotive portion of my degree and was about six to eight months into the diesel program when 9/11 happened. I felt a strong calling to serve and give back, especially since the last person in my family to serve was my grandmother’s brother, who lost his life in World War II.
The military shaped me in many ways. You learn to work with people from all walks of life — a true melting pot of America. I served alongside soldiers from across the United States and even from other countries, including Africa, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Working together toward a common goal teaches you leadership, teamwork, and resilience, both through real-world experience and professional training. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and continue to guide how I serve veterans today.
NBL: What’s it like to be in combat and under fire? Did it affect your perspective on life?
MN: It sharpens your view on things. When you’re in combat and you’re in battle everything slows down. I think everyone’s experience is different. I have one story that articulates that point.
During one of my deployments, we were driving down the road and an improvised explosive device went off next to my vehicle. I was the lead vehicle in the convoy and it shot through our engine. We had oil all over our windshield and there was shrapnel in my window.
We did the battle drill that we were supposed to do and we reacted appropriately and we did everything that we needed to do. But when we were being towed back to the installation, my driver looked at me and said, “Hey, Sergeant Nash, the other day I was about to wash this truck.” And washing the truck takes a few hours because it’s a huge vehicle. “I’m so glad that I didn’t wash the truck because I would have been really ticked off if I would have done all that and we got blown up and we’d have to get a new truck.”
That was my driver. And at the same time the gunner in the turret was crying. So I was talking with him, trying to console him. All three of us shared the same experience but we all had different reactions to it.
So every person’s reaction is different and every person’s story is different. But my gunner, when he was crying, he stayed on the gun and continued to provide security for the vehicle. Everybody has a different experience.
Sean McCarthy is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to The New Bedford Light.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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