No Condition Is Permanent

A native of Stockton, California, Carlton Young grew up in the San Joaquin Valley. After graduation from high school, Carlton joined the United States military and served in both the Vietnam War and the first Gulf War. During his tour of duty in Vietnam, Carlton not only served in a combat line unit,he was awarded the "Soldiers Medal for Heroism." Carlton served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. While in the military, he served through the family advocate office as a drug and alcohol counselor for soldiers. After retiring in August 1991, Carlton found himself living as a single parent with his young son. Carlton went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration in the headquarters office in Washington D.C. as a drug program site coordinator who provided key support in the objectives of the drug and alcohol testing program. After two years he transferred to Atlanta, Georgia as the regional drug program manager over the southern region. He was responsible for describing the circumstances that formed the basis for authorizing drug and alcohol testing in both non-aviation and post accidents. Carlton left the FAA and went on to become an entrepreneur. After some major financial setbacks,Carlton and his son found themselves homeless and living on the streets of Atlanta for about three years. They survived the odds despite living out of the trunk of their car, moving in and out of extended stay motels, and navigating throughout the sometimes dangerous streets of metro Atlanta. Not only did Carlton survive, but he has also gained insight into how the average person becomes hopeless or homeless. What’s more, he understands what the downtrodden need to overcome their situations.For Carlton, this change came in the form of an inspirational message he heard on tape. “Homelessness does not just affect people with addictions,mental illness or those dealing with domestic violence. Today it’s not who is homeless, but who are those now at risk of becoming homeless.”