A NE W R IDE
Single mother and veteran receives newly refurbished 2013 Honda Civic through Recycled Rides program
“Thank you guys for helping someone who fell through the cracks.” — Jaime Duran, accepting a 2013 Honda Civic from Caliber Collision and Allstate
Jaime Duran never had it easy, but she found returning to life in the United States harder after serving in Afghanistan.
“I was on medical when I was serving,” Duran said. “But here, I would need to go through all of the schooling again to do the same job that I did for 14 years.”
Born in San Jose, Duran moved around a lot, hopping from foster care centers for a bit before falling under the care of her grandfather. Following in the footsteps of her grandfather — a Vietnam veteran — Duran served in the military for 14 years on reserve before she was deployed to Afghanistan.
Six years after she re- turned, Duran met someone she had served with and decided to drop everything to try a new life with him and her 6-year- old son, Kyree, in the United Arab Emirates. But shortly into the relationship, he began abusing her and she swiftly returned to San Jose, Duran said.
Jobless, carless and homeless, Duran tried to make ends meet for her son and herself, but struggled. This
week, however, she was given a lifeline when she was handed a newly refurbished 2013 Honda Civic, tied with a green bow and a trunk full of school supplies and toys for Kyree. It was all courtesy of workers from Caliber Collision and Allstate companies.
“I’m overwhelmed so bear with me,” Duran said, holding her son’s hand when she received her keys. “Thank you guys for helping someone who fell through the cracks.”
It was a welcomed gesture for Duran, who had found support for veterans lacking since returning from Afghanistan. In fact, Duran said she can name 12 people she served with who have committed suicide after returning to this country.
Duran herself had desperately needed help, but she didn’t want to ask for it.
“I’m not used to needing help; I’m used to being able to handle everything for myself,” Duran said. “I wasn’t comfortable sharing my story. I was embarrassed.”
A friend recommended Soldiers’ Angels, a national nonprofit that helps veterans, active military members and their families. Through Soldiers’ Angels, Duran got some of the much-needed help she deserved.
Soldiers’ Angels works with the National Auto Body Recycled Rides program with mechanics and car provided by Caliber Collision and Allstate. The program refurbishes old cars and returns them to people in need. After hearing Duran’s story, Caliber Collision and Allstate leaders were touched and eager to help.
“The first time I did this, it brought me to tears,” said Allstate San Jose agency owner Robert Varich. “But this time, I made sure to get that all out beforehand. After the first one, you know one donation isn’t enough. You want to keep giving and giving.”
Jeff Thompson, the director of operations for Caliber Collision in Silicon Valley said Duran’s story touched his heart and the hearts of the mechanics who volunteered to refurbish the car for her.
“We don’t tell our guys to do it — we ask if they want to,” Thompson said. “We told them Jaime’s story and asked them if they wanted to help fix up this car for her and the response from them was an overwhelming yes.”
“Having a car in the city is essential to helping get off the ground,” Varich said. “Maybe this will help her up a flight of stairs instead of one step.”
San Jose City Councilman Johnny Khamis, who attended the event, urged anyone who is struggling to ask for help.
“The first step is asking for help — the first sign that you’re ready to receive help is when you ask for it,” Khamis said. “We are here to help and have services for help. We just need to know when you need it.”