The Allied Veterans Center in Jacksonville held a graduation ceremony Tuesday for the first vet to complete its Passport to Independence program. The 6-month long program helps troubled vets re-adjust to civilian life.

The Allied Veterans Center gives homeless veterans a place to live while they learn to navigate the civilian world. Iraqi War veteran, First Class Petty Officer Randy Wolffis says he was alone and living in a tent when he heard about the center and enrolled in its Passport program."Helps you if you need any help with your benefits, medical situation, your prescriptions. They have a great program that gets you to job fairs, that introduces you to people that can employ you or tell you what you need."

Wolffis says he got his act together, finished his culinary education and got a job as a chef at Fleet Landing…

"I love my job (laughs). I love the people I work with. And I absolutely love life right now."

U-S Senator Bill Nelson presented Wolffis with his diploma. A half-dozen Jacksonville Jaguars players were also on hand to help serve Thanksgiving dinner to more than 60-people who were there to celebrate Wolffis’ achievements.