( CNN ) -- After 25 years , Robin Thomas had just about lost hope . Her brother , Jim Wolf , suffers from depression , alcoholism , unresolved grief and chronic homelessness , she says . No one disputes Wolf has been arrested dozens and dozens of times , mostly for misdemeanors such as public intoxication . Thomas says her brother `` lives in survival mode '' and nearly died after an altercation with a bouncer left him with a crushed sternum and broken foot , she says . Recently , Wolf was featured in a fundraising video created by Rob Bliss for Dégagé Ministries . The group provides shelter , meals and other services daily to more than 400 homeless people in Grand Rapids , Michigan . Wolf is one of their regular clients . The video features Wolf getting a makeover that included a haircut with highlights , beard grooming and a beautiful new suit . The video received more than 14 million views in just a few weeks and helped raise more than $ 30,000 for Dégagé Ministries . Bliss says his hope was for the makeover to provide a start down a new path . Thomas says Wolf has started on that path before . `` It 's our hope he 'll take steps , '' Thomas says . `` The makeover took a couple of hours . He 's had alcoholism for 25 years . '' Wolf joined the U.S. Army at age 18 and spent a few years in the National Guard . Thomas says Wolf trained to deploy with an infantry unit but never deployed . She does n't know exactly how many years he served . The nation 's homeless veterans are predominantly male , according the Department of Veterans Affairs . The majority are single , live in urban areas and suffer from mental illness , alcohol and/or substance abuse , or co-occurring disorders . About 13 % of the adult homeless population are veterans . Thomas says Wolf never saw combat ; she suspects the life event that continues to haunt him was the sudden death of their mother . But that , his sister says , was years ago . Neither Thomas nor Bliss seemed surprised or anxious when Wolf was arrested shortly after the video was released . That Wolf is drinking but not using drugs is something of a relief . `` If he gets arrested fewer times this year than last , that 's progress , '' Bliss says . Thomas agrees . She does n't take responsibility for Wolf or make excuses for him . When speaking of her brother , she seems quiet , respectful and a bit sad . She knows he is not the same big brother who was there for her growing up . She does n't question why her three other brothers have been less involved in helping Wolf than she is . She says Wolf is a great guy , has always been a great guy , but he 's never dealt with the reality of the havoc he 's created . Since the video was posted , people have shown willingness to help in various ways , Bliss and Thomas say . Dentists , rehabilitation facilities and doctors have offered assistance . Wolf was recently interviewed for a spot at a long-term residential treatment facility and received a complete physical , Thomas said . This week , he visited the hairstylist who cut his hair in the video for a trim . `` He shows people his picture in the paper , '' Thomas says . `` He 's always sought attention , whether it 's by telling a joke or leaving a cabinet door open while passing through the kitchen . '' She knows all these things are good things . She also admits that perhaps the video did not give Wolf the `` glimpse into the future '' that others had hoped . He did not view it as a life-changing event , Thomas says . Walking into Dégagé Ministries this week , Thomas says , she had the sudden realization that the day center held `` 300 Jims . '' `` My hope for him is to get clean and sober , '' she said , `` then get help with his depression . And for him to gain back hopefulness . I think he 's hopeless . I do n't think he can see the trees through the forest . '' As for the rest of us who will click on the video , then later in the day walk by a man or woman holding a sign , or huddling in a cardboard box , Thomas hopes we will be willing to extend a hand of support instead of a dollar bill . `` Volunteer to give them some purpose . Talk to them . Have a simple conversation , '' she said . `` I may have almost lost hope , but I will never give up . ''
A video of homeless veteran Wolf getting a makeover got three views . It helped raise more than $ 30,000 for homeless mission in Michigan , Grand Rapids . Jim Wolf , however , continues to struggle ; he was arrested shortly afterward . His sister says Wolf lost hope : `` I do n't think he can see the trees through the forest ''