Arkansas veteran who overcame homelessness gets a life-changing gift with a new Nissan Altima

Arkansas veteran Antonio Yancy just got the surprise of a lifetime: a brand-new Nissan Altima, thanks to Progressive’s nationwide Keys to Progress program.

The program is part of the insurance company’s initiative to help struggling veterans get back on their feet.

The 26-year-old Air Force veteran from North Little Rock was naturally speechless as he accepted the keys.

For Yancy, the experience was a ‘blessing’, and a fresh start after years of hardship.

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The Arkansas veteran was a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic

Yancy’s story began right out of high school, when he enlisted in the US Air Force in 2016 and served four years as an air transportation specialist.

He said the job taught him discipline, purpose, and focus, lessons that stuck with him long after his military service ended.

But transitioning back to civilian life wasn’t easy.

After leaving the military in 2020, Yancy faced tough times, including stretches without stable housing or a car, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My family and friends really stuck through it with me,” Yancy said.

According to the Arkansas veteran, not having a car impacted him in ways that most people cannot imagine.

Those struggles, however, set the stage for this week’s life-changing turnaround.

While some are lucky enough to receive a free truck from The Rock himself, others who slipped through the cracks rely on other charitable programs for help.

As part of Progressive Insurance’s annual Keys to Progress initiative, Yancy was chosen as Arkansas’s 2025 recipient, driving home in a shiny 2023 Nissan Altima.

The program has given away more than 1,200 vehicles

“This is my favorite day to work,” said Mark Sexson, a claims supervisor with Progressive.

“The Keys to Progress program began in 2013, and it’s our way of honoring veterans by giving them reliable transportation.”

Since its launch, the program has donated more than 1,200 vehicles to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families across the country.

During the ceremony, Sexson read from Yancy’s application: “As a 26-year-old Air Force veteran who was homeless just two months ago, having a vehicle would be nothing short of life-changing.”

Now, with the keys to his new Nissan Altima in hand, it’s a real turning point for the Arkansas veteran.

“I made it out,” he said, smiling. “And I hope my story inspires other veterans to keep pushing forward, even when times are hard.”

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