In 2005, Jas was a single parent in the U.S. Military Reserves living in New Orleans, when she learned she would be deployed to the Iraq War.

Then events quickly grew worse.

Hurricane Katrina struck and Jas lost everything she owned. And one month later she was diagnosed with head, neck and throat cancer.

The situation was grim for her and her young son.

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Because of her cancer, Jas now faced a military discharge, at a time when she desperately needed extensive medical care, a job and a place where she and her young son could live, aside from a homeless shelter.

While seeking help, she learned there were no programs to aid female veterans with children, and she was encouraged to go on welfare and seek social services.

Fortunately, Jas received extensive cancer treatment at Brooks Army Medical Center, and she was allowed to stay in the Reserves, as she regained her health and sought full-time work and a place for her and her son to live.

Jas and her son moved to Missouri to live with her aunt, and she got a job with the Army National Guard.

Later, she entered full-time military duty in Washington, DC.

But Jas always remembered what a terrible experience it had been for her and her son, and was determined that her sister veterans would have vital resources available to them should that need ever arise.

Then one day while watching the Oprah Winfrey Show, Jas heard another female military veteran tell her terrible story of homelessness.

"I immediately felt outraged. How are we as Americans letting this happen?"

The day that show aired, Jas began organizing what became Final Salute Inc. to provide housing and support services.

She funded the startup out of her checkbook, and soon landed a financial grant to lease the initial home.

Jas Boothe and Oprah  

Photo: finalsaluteinc.org

"The mission of Final Salute Inc. is to provide homeless women veterans and their children with safe and suitable housing."

Final Salute has now rescued 900 homeless female veterans and their children in 30 U.S. states, as these families rebuild their lives.

Jas's inspiring message to all of us is: "It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, you have the ability to triumph."

Editor's Note: To see a compelling 5 minute, 8 second Oprah Winfrey produced video from which this story's quotes were taken: http://www.oprah.com/ To visit the Final Salute Inc. website, click here. It was through www.karmatube.org I first learned of this story.

In the next KazanToday: A little girl who is overcoming the limitations of autism with the help of her kitty.