Homes For Our Troops to kick off building of home for injured soldier in Alachua

Press release from Homes For Our Troops

ALACHUA, Fla. – The national nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) will kick off the building of a specially adapted home for Army SSG Carlos Rivera on Saturday, April 26, 2025. SSG Rivera was injured while serving in Iraq.

The Community Kickoff event signifies the start of the build process and will introduce SSG Rivera to the community. The event will be held at Canvas Church, 15551 NW US Hwy 441 APT 1, Alachua, FL 32615 at 10 a.m. (Check-in at 9:30 a.m.) The public is welcome to attend.

Following the injuries, SSG Rivera experienced pain and discomfort in his right leg and back. As his condition progressed, he began having difficulty walking and having seizures. He was later diagnosed with a severe incomplete spinal cord injury. While still on active duty, SSG Rivera elected to have spinal cord surgery, a decision which forced him to part ways with the Army, the career he loved so much.

The home being built for SSG Rivera will feature more than 40 major special adaptations such as widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower, and kitchen amenities that include pull-down shelving and lowered countertops. The home will also alleviate the mobility and safety issues associated with a traditional home, including navigating a wheelchair through narrow hallways or over thresholds, or reaching for cabinets that are too high.

HFOT has built over 400 homes since the organization’s inception in 2004. Homes For Our Troops relies on contributions from donors, supporters, and corporate partners for the building of each veteran’s home. Community members may hold fundraisers or make donations. To find out more on how to get involved or make a donation, visit www.hfotusa.org.

Learn more about Army SSG Carlos Rivera at www.hfotusa.org/Rivera.