Eric Howze (37)
Co-Founder/Executive Director, No Hero Left Behind

When Eric Howze returned home in 2011 from his military service in Iraq, he struggled with chronic homelessness and PTSD. A decade later, he’s dedicated to helping others who struggle with those issues.

In August 2020, Howze and his wife, 40 Under 40 honoree Christina Flewellen-Howze, founded No Hero Left Behind, which advocates for homeless and underserved veterans in southwestern Pennsylvania. Whether it’s helping them seek benefits, medical care or financial assistance or increasing their self-value through creative-educational workshops, the organization aims to provide essential services and do away with the stereotype of the dangerous veteran.

“There’s a lot of veterans who want to be reintegrated into society. They just need some type of help, and that’s where we come in,” Howze says. “Some [veterans] are fortunate to leave the war, but not all are fortunate enough for the war to leave them.”

He hopes that No Hero Left Behind can help to reduce suicide — 20 veterans a day take their own lives — and homelessness.

We’re “really just trying to help every veteran to be able to get their name on a mailbox and be able to get the emotional support that they deserve,” Howze says.