The Committee’s Newsletter for March, 2010

As you can see spring is in the air and the Cherry blossoms are budding on the mall in Washington and the Annual Apple Blossom Parade in Winchester, Virginia is right around the corner.

This past month, the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing was involved in the following:

Martinsburg VA Medical Center, Martinsburg, West Virginia (March 18, 2010) The DVCH President, John S. Lewandowski and the DVCH Director, Veterans Outreach, and Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) Veterans Outreach Coordinator, Daphne R. Mize traveled to the Martinsburg VA Medical Center to attend our inaugural meeting of the MHRRTP (Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program).  The goal of the group is:

“The Martinsburg Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (MHRRTP) Stakeholder Committee seeks to enhance awareness of Domiciliary Program offerings and goals, by fostering active participation in this monthly meeting by Medical Center employees, volunteers, and alumni patients”.

South Hill, Virginia (March 20, 2010): The Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing organized a “Groundbreaking Ceremony” to celebrate the beginning of construction of the new accessible home for former U.S. Army Sergeant Major (SGM) Andrew Shepherd of South Hill, Virginia .  The 11:00 am ceremony took place at the site of the new home which will be located at 657 Red Level Lane, South Hill, Virginia 23970.  SGM Shepherd, a highly decorated soldier who

served three (3) tours with distinction in the Vietnam War, is now a 100% disabled veteran.  SGM Shepherd is looking forward very much to moving into his new Specially Adapted Home that has been designed to meet his medical needs.

The following dignitaries were in attendance to congratulate and extended best wishes to SGM Andrew & Mrs. Shepherd:

State Senator Frank Ruff for Governor Bob McDonnell

State Delegate Tommy Wright

Ms Verna J. (Tina) Graham, Senator Jim Webb’s Danville, VA Office

Mr. Joe Topham, Congressman Perriello’s Farmville, VA Office

Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 7166, South Hill, VA

American Legion Post 79, South Hill, VA

Mr. Edward Pennington, Lunenburg County, Board of Supervisors

 

 

It was a beautiful day and the people came to honor our veteran by showing their support.  SGM Shepherd and his wife, Willa, were overcome and said:  “This will be a day that we will always remember; words alone cannot be said on how we feel”. I informed SGM Shepherd that it was just a small way of saying thank you for what he had done for our country. We are hoping to start the construction phase in April as soon as all the permits and paperwork are complete/issued.

The following organizations from the South Hill area are recognized and thanked for their donations for the groundbreaking:

Wal-Mart Superstore, South Hill, VA

Gavin’s Flowers & Gifts Shop, South Hill, VA

Bojangle’s Famous Chicken, South Hill, VA

Kentucky Fried Chicken, South Hill, VA

Food Lion Store, E Atlantic Street, South Hill, VA

Food Lion Store, W. Atlantic Street, South Hill, VA

Domino’s Pizza, South Hill, VA

 

A special “Thank You” goes out the members of the South Hill LaCrosse VFW Post 7166 and the American Legion Post 79, South Hill, VA 23970-2609. The Color Guard and Honor Guard for any veteran affair is a total sign of respect for that veteran. The only true way that a veteran knows that he or she is truly home is when respect is shown to them by fellow veterans who served before, during or after them.  So, I say to Sergeant Major Shepherd “Welcome Home”.

 

 

 

 

 

Petersburg, Virginia (March 23, 2010) - DVCH Works to Create New Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans:

The Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing (DVCH) and R.L. Seely Homes are working with the Supreme Humanitarian Assistance Relief Program (SHARP) of Petersburg, Virginia to obtain funding for the renovation of a large building in the city that will serve as transitional housing for homeless veterans located in the area.  This is a critically important new initiative for us as it brings the DVCH one step closer to being able to establish a veterans’ village that so many of our former service men and women need to survive and prosper.  The new project is strongly noted and advised the SHARP program by Congressman J Randy Forbes that he applauds their work, the Petersburg VFW Post #622, the City of Petersburg, among others.

For its part, R.L. Seely Homes provided SHARP with building designs and a comprehensive project budget.  The DVCH and R.L. Seely Homes will be a part of the project administration for the next five years I am happy to report.

The new facility will encompass over 8,000 sq/ft of space which will be used for living quarters, offices, classrooms, dining room, and other purposes.  Up to 30 veterans will live in the facility where they will participate each day in a wide range of VA supportive services.  Each veteran will be able to live in this transitional housing unit for up to 24 months. We will know on April 30 if the application submitted to the VA to proceed with the implementation of the project has been approved.

Stay tuned!

WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA (March 22-26, 2010): Daphne R. Mize, DVCH Veterans Outreach Coordinator/ Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) Veterans Outreach Coordinator attended a week long training seminar in Norfolk, Virginia and has provided some comments on the training that was provided:

The mission of Veterans Employment & Training Service (VETS) is to provide Veterans and transitioning Service Members with the resources and services to succeed in the workforce by maximizing their employment opportunities, protecting their employment rights, and meeting labor market demands with qualified Veterans.

The mission is accomplished through three distinct functions: (1) conducting employment and training programs; (2) enforcing relevant Federal laws and regulations; and (3) providing transition assistance services.

VETS administer two employment and training programs through formula grants to States that directly meet the goals of its mission:  (1) the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) and (2) the Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVER) program.  DVOP specialists provide outreach services and intensive employment assistance to meet the employment needs of eligible Veterans.   LVER staff conducts outreach to employers and engage in advocacy efforts with hiring executives to increase employment opportunities for Veterans, encourage the hiring of disabled Veterans, and generally assist Veterans to gain and retain employment.

Since I am a one person office my training focused on dual responsibilities of the DVOP with LVER responsibilities.

Well, another month has come and gone. We are looking forward to a new month and to helping our veterans in any of the needs they have.  We ask that you help us in assisting veterans, by just saying to them, “Thank you for serving our country and I appreciated what you did for us”.  A Veteran will really appreciates that comment.  God Speed

John S. Lewandowski

President/CEO

Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing