Organization looks at creating veterans home
WARREN — A local organization is reaching out to the community for both volunteers and donations to transform a three-story home on Washington Street NE into a proposed home for veterans.
Susan Greisinger, executive director of Trumbull Take Flight, said at a recent open house on the project the home would be called ”The Landing” to help veterans in the local community.
”There is a need for this home. We want to help do what we can to assist the veterans of the community,” she said.
The 2,868 square foot, five-bedroom, three-floor home would have an on-site housing manager and provide veterans case management services from a licensed mental health professional.
Work needing done at the home includes roof replacement, abatement and remediation of lead, new siding, making a handicapped accessible entrance and bathroom, new kitchen, and electrical, plumbing and HVAC upgrades.
”We have had the home for six months and are looking to move forward,” Greisinger said.
Mayor Doug Franklin said Trumbull Take Flight has taken on many projects, including starting a job skill training program to help people earn their GED.
”If Trumbull Take Flight has a hand in it, it will be a success,” Franklin said.
He said several years ago, he and Youngstown Mayor John McNally accepted a challenge to do what they could to end veteran homelessness. He said the home will provide a place for veterans’ wounds to heal.
”Not all wounds are visible,” Franklin said.
Greisinger said the community has a responsibility to make sure ”we are doing everything we can to welcome the veterans home and give them an opportunity to heal.”
Evan Mikulka, a local U.S. Army veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom Airborne Division, said when he got out of the Army, he had nowhere to go.
”If a place like this had existed then, it would have helped give me some direction. I love the idea. It will help a lot of veterans,” Mikulka said.
”We want to help our veterans have the opportunity to build a foundation so they will succeed. That is what we will offer at The Landing. We want veterans to feel secure and have a place to call home,” Greisinger said.
She said to qualify for help, a veteran will go through an assessment process and then stay for eight to nine months and up to 24 months. Veterans will receive nutrition and wellness classes, as well as social growth programs.
“The goal is to encompass honesty, trust and willingness to work towards greater independence and self determination,” she said.
She said she received word a company has offered to install a handicapped accessible ramp.
Cheryl Parsons, a volunteer, said a goal is to help the veterans get their lives back together.
“This is a stepping stone. We need volunteers to help us at the home,”she said.
Mark Taylor of the Second Brigade Motorcycle Club said the group helps veterans.
“Two words that should not go together are veteran and homeless. It is unacceptable,” Taylor said.
TTF has planned various fundraisers and is selling bricks for a brick walk area to be created at the front of the home.
For information, call 330-469-5152.
bcoupland@tribtoday.com
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