Donnie Davis is an Air Force veteran who was disturbed when he heard that 22 veterans commit suicide every day. As soon as he heard this alarming statistic, he said to himself, “Someone’s got to do something.”

That’s why Donnie created Operation Safe Haven in 2016. This program provides housing for veterans who need help getting back on their feet.

“The whole idea is to give them a chance to stabilize,” Donnie said. “They don’t want handouts, but we are offering a hand.”

Operation Safe Haven builds tiny houses within a 277-acre lakeside campground in Franklinville, New Jersey. The 300-square-foot houses look like log cabins, and they come complete with new furnishings, bedding, kitchen supplies and other gear, all offered at no charge to the veteran.

“We supply everything,” Donnie said. “Nothing is used. Unless it’s brand new, we won’t take it.”

During his time in the Air Force, Donnie served as an honor guard at funerals for fallen service members. After leaving the service, he acted as a police officer in Maryland, and he ended up in situations that left him with “stuff,” he says.

“We don’t call it PTSD,” he said. “We call it ‘stuff.’”

This experience taught Donnie that “when you meet people who are homeless or who have PTSD, you have to help them.”

Donnie’s organization puts each vet on the buddy system, while also steering them into counseling and helping with job placement.

“We want to get them in a good job, not a seasonable job, with real benefits,” Donnie said.

Donnie’s organization has lots of help from the local community.

“When we bought this, someone asked how I am going to do this, and I said I don’t know,” Donnie said. “It’s just faith. Everyone’s coming together and supporting this, and it’s great.”

Find out more about this organization in the video below!