New outlook on life
BRIAN WALKER/Press Homeless veteran Dean De Vitto is overcome with joy after he received keys to a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo from donor Shevelle Sleeman on Friday at the Newby-ginnings nonprofit in Post Falls.
With his vehicle papers in hand, homeless veteran Dean De Vitto checks out his vehicle donation on Friday in Post Falls as donor Shevelle Sleeman looks on. The donation was among multiple lifts he received from local entities to help him get back on his feet. (BRIAN WALKER/Press)
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
POST FALLS — Dean De Vitto wept as Shevelle Sleeman handed the homeless veteran the keys to her 1997 Isuzu Rodeo.
"When I say 'thank you' it doesn't sound like much," the 58-year-old Army vet told Sleeman on Friday. "I can still make it to work this winter, and that's important."
De Vitto has been riding his bike to get places for about a year, including to his new job at River City Fabrication in Post Falls.
Robert Shoeman, a veterans representative at Idaho Department of Labor, said De Vitto showed up at the agency last March, soaked and in cold temperatures, looking for a job.
"He'd lost a job and was becoming depressed," Shoeman said.
However, thanks to an army of local helpers, including the Department of Labor, the Newby-ginnings nonprofit, Goodwill Industries, River City Fabrication, Sleeman and the Combat Vet Riders, the soft-spoken De Vitto is getting back on his feet.
Sleeman, of Spokane Valley, said that after her husband, Breeze, died last year she thought donating the vehicle to Newby-ginnings would be a great cause. The nonprofit that assists veterans in need was founded by Theresa Hart, whose son, Nick Newby, died with Nathan Beyers, both of Coeur d’Alene, in 2011 while serving in Iraq.
"This (vehicle donation) makes my heart feel good," Sleeman told De Vitto. "My husband is looking down and saying, 'Yes, that's what needed to happen.'"
De Vitto said he was doing well in Las Vegas as a small engine mechanic, but, when the economy tanked in 2008, he lost his job and condominium.
He said he then struggled finding work in his trade and was forced to settle for jobs at temporary agencies. He moved to North Idaho eight years ago and continued to struggle.
"Every time I was down to my last 17 cents I'd pray, 'Do I have to pray before things are going to get better?' And, every time, the answer was yes," he said.
Newfound hope has led him to begin searching for housing and, when he finds it, Newby-ginnings will donate the furnishings. The Labor department and Goodwill, through grant funding, are also assisting the homeless veteran.
"There's a lot of players involved in this one story," Shoeman said. "If there's one missing piece, it probably doesn't work. Dean has followed through on everything we've asked him to. He's humble and has a strong work ethic."
Hart added: "Dean is the epitome of the veteran we try to help. He's trying to get on his feet with good intentions.”
De Vitto said he needs to "earn a few more paychecks" at River City Fabrication before he can afford to drive his new ride so he received approval from Hart to keep it parked at the nonprofit in Post Falls until he does.
However, De Vitto learned on Friday that the Combat Vet Riders intend to buy his registration and pay for repairing the windshield to finally get him on the road.
"Hopefully, by the end of the month, you'll be warm and have a place to hang your hat," the Department of Labor’s Rod Buck told De Vitto. "A few months after that, come in for a handshake and let us know you're OK."
De Vitto said River City Fabrication's Abby Henning, who is friends with Hart, got the ball rolling by reaching out for assistance for him and the goodwill spread from there.
De Vitto, who doesn't have family in the area, said he's overwhelmed by the support and has a new outlook on life.
"This is one of the last best places to be," he said. "I'm glad I'm here."