Not long ago, a man walked into the offices of the Veterans Lending Group (VLG) thinking it was the offices of the Veterans Administration.

That mistake proved to be a blessing.

"He was homeless," related Brooke Villano during a recent telephone interview. "We talked to him for a while, learned he had compensation and benefits, ran a credit check and found that he qualified for a VA home loan.  He closes on the loan today."

From homeless to homeowner, all because Villano took the time to talk to the man.

Villano, along with her husband Mike Villano, Scott Collins and Nicole Moore, founded VLG in 2015.  

The VLG is a team of VA mortgage loan specialists that educates military servicemembers and their families about the mortgage benefits due them.

"Our goal is to give veterans a piece of the dream that they fought to protect," Moore said.

The VA Loan program began in 1944 through the Servicemen's Readjustment Act - also known as the GI Bill. Signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the bill provided veterans with a federally guaranteed home loan with zero down payments.

In helping veterans, the Villanos, Moore and Collins went a step further in 2016 and created the Operation Shield Foundation (OSF), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Amy Tiemeyer, military outreach coordinator for the VLG, is also OSF's director.

"Our number one goal is to educate veterans about their VA home loan opportunities," continued Moore. "We can provide an enormous amount of accurate information."

Moore's commitment to helping veterans is clear.

After her brother-in-law died due to PTSD-related issues a decade ago, she connected with Villano.

"I felt like I was called," she said.  "I could make a living and give back to military families."

This labor of love led to the formation of the OSF. The foundation is committed to serving, educating and supporting military families.  

"We don't just talk about this," Moore said, "we are about this."

Since its inception, the foundation has implemented a variety of projects and fundraisers that impact various socio-economic groups within the local community.

These events are called "Days of Giving," and the OSF leverages the events to positively impact the community one event at a time.

"We are about change - positive change," Villano said. "We helped change the life of that homeless man. This is what we strive to do."

During the past 18 months, the OSF has sent care packages to deployed soldiers; provided Easter baskets to children of veterans who were a part of Operation Ward 57; participated in "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes," a sex trafficking awareness walk; volunteered at food banks; helped with the Toy Drive for Santa's Castle; and worked on many other projects.

One activity of note is the foundation's free VA Home Loan Workshop Boot Camps where participants learn all about their VA home loan benefits.

OSF has no paid employees.  All proceeds received become part of the foundation's projects.

"Don't be afraid to ask questions," emphasized Villano. "Ask!  Be your own advocate.  We will help you."

For more information about Operation Shield Foundation, visit operationshieldfoundation.org.