Harley Tribby, staff volunteer at Chosen of Serve City homeless shelter in Hamilton, answers the phone at the front desk. (Glenn Hartong/The Enquirer)

More than three years ago, Harley Tribby was jobless, homeless, penniless and lonely. Today the Vietnam veteran has a home, a family, a veteran's pension and friends who have helped him get a new start, and a new purpose in life.

Tribby, 52, of Hamilton, volunteers five or six days a week at the Chosen Homeless Shelter in Hamilton, which turned his life around, and Serve City, a sister ministry that helps the needy with food, clothing and furniture.

He sees himself in many of the people who end up there, and he wants to try to put hope back in their eyes. He helps with cleanup, sorts donated food and clothing, and gives newcomers guided tours.

"Harley is a miracle to us, a godsend," said Kay Waldo, Chosen's director. "He can't drive, so he walks more than a mile to get here each day. Even when it's bitterly cold, raining or snowing, he comes here.

"Harley thinks he owes us so much. Not true," Waldo said. "He's paid us back tenfold for anything we did for him. Now we owe him. He's at everyone's beck and call here. Everyone here adores him."

Tribby, once an electrical engineer, suffered psychological and physical problems during four years in the Air Force in the 1970s. After coming home, he eventually found himself unemployed.

"I was living on the street,'' Tribby said. "The police found me and brought me to the shelter. They took care of me for months. Then they got me hooked up with the VA so I could get help. They saved my life."

In August, shelter and Serve City staff hosted his wedding to Sarah, now his constant companion.

"As long as they need me, I'll be here," he said.

E-mail Janet Wetzel at jjwetzel@siscom.net, or fax to (513) 755-4150.