What I’ve Been Up To & What’s Next
Michael Rentiers • December 4, 2025
There are times in life when you have to decide if you’re going to watch life happen around you or have a say in how it plays out.
The last few years have taken me down a path I never expected. During the early days of COVID, when the world felt suspended and my professional work slowed, I found myself working out of a small café in Columbia, SC. One afternoon, a homeless man approached and asked me for money to buy lunch. Instead, I invited him to sit with me.
Over sandwiches, he shared his story. He was a Vietnam veteran whose life had unraveled in ways that were gut wrenching to hear and, as I would learn, far too common. I went home and dug into the facts about veteran homelessness. The statistics were jarring, and now they had a face and a name, Daniel. His story stuck with me. I’ve never been one to sit idly by, stepping up never scared me. But what could I possibly do?
The answer was simple. Do something. Do anything. Afterall, what have those guys done for me? More than I could ever repay. I kept hearing the same words echo in my mind: If I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?
The answer was simple. Do something. Do anything. Afterall, what have those guys done for me? More than I could ever repay. I kept hearing the same words echo in my mind: If I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?
I had done PR work for veteran causes before, but this time professional experience didn’t feel like enough. I felt compelled to act personally. So I began spending time on the streets around Columbia, building relationships with the men who had served our country only to have our country fail them.
That led to the creation of Without Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to working directly with homeless veterans one relationship at a time. My theory was simple: transformation begins with consistency and trust. The plan was to intervene in their lives individually to provide the support they need to reach stability. Even if I could only impact one life at a time, that was still meaningful change.
Time has passed quickly. The work has been challenging, profound, and humbling. It changed how I see people. It changed how I see service. And it changed how I see the responsibility that comes with having skills that can make an impact.
However, I’m returning to my professional world with renewed purpose through my new communications firm, CTA Communications. It’s named after my experience, a Call To Action. I’m bringing back everything I’ve learned…about people, about storytelling, about advocacy, and about what it means to respond when the moment calls.
Without Heroes will go on. There is so much work to be done, but it’s time for the next chapter and a return to doing what I love. If you’re interested in getting together, get in touch!
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