After three tours in Iraq, Chuck Helm ’24 M’26 is still standing strong alongside his fellow veterans.
The 14-year veteran has spent the majority of his time home helping former soldiers struggling with PTSD and housing displacement. From 2019 up until last year, he volunteered with Chaplains on the Way, a nonprofit in Waltham, Mass., dedicated to helping the unhoused population along the Charles River.
“Veterans who served make up only 1 percent of the general population, but they make up a large percentage of the homeless population,” Helm explained. “To me, that’s just silly. You write a check to the United States up to the cost of your life, but they can’t help you get stable housing.”
Currently enrolled in Merrimack’s master’s in social work program, Helm hopes to one day get his social work license and open his own therapy practice specializing in assisting those with PTSD.
“(Working with Chaplains on the Way) showed me how important it is to try and help people get into more stable housing and the mental and substance abuse treatments they need to obtain that,” he said.
Helm said he relates well with the veterans he assists. As a 19D Cavalry Scout, he participated in all the major offensive operations in Iraq including, Baiji, Fallujah and Ramadi. After suffering an injury, he drove a Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HETS) for fire and human remains recovery missions.
“We were on the two most dangerous routes in Iraq,” he explained.
Before arriving at Merrimack, Helm pursued an associate degree from Middlesex Community College. He later transferred to Merrimack College and earned his bachelor’s in human development and human services.
“It’s a much smaller campus and I already knew my way around,” Helm said. “My wife, Danielle Helm ’18, who is also a veteran, graduated here with a liberal arts degree. It’s very welcoming here and it’s all laid out so that everything is easy to find.”
After developing a strong bond with his professors, including Jonathan Kessler and Jim Howland, Helm said it was a no-brainer to stay on campus to complete his master’s degree.
“I haven’t found a professor who wasn’t open and willing to help me when I needed it or guide me in ways so I understand topics better,” he explained.
Helm recently landed an internship with JRI, a behavioral health nonprofit based in Tewksbury, Mass.. And, whenever he can, he’s still helping veterans. He recently began working with Neighbors Helping Neighbors in East Machias, Maine.
“We work with a lot of veterans up there that need handicap ramps,” he said. “If their floors need to be replaced or their roof needs fixing, we do it at no cost to them. I built houses before I entered the service, so I’m right at home.”
