Veterans transitional housing in Uniontown holds open house
Alyssa Choiniere | 缅北禁地
Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 PA members eat lunch and talk at the grand opening of United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County in Uniontown Thursday. The organization supported the efforts of the transitional housing for homeless veterans opened at 88 Lincoln St. From left are Rolling Thunder member Irving Rite, Billeting board member and past-president of Rolling Thunder Ken White and Rolling Thunder President Bernie Caffery.
Alyssa Choiniere | 缅北禁地
United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County board member raises the flag for the organization鈥檚 open house in Uniontown Thursday while Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 PA President Bernie Caffery salutes. The 88 Lincoln St. home will provide transitional housing to homeless veterans.
Alyssa Choiniere | 缅北禁地
Ron Metros, who spearheaded the United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County project, speaks about the transitional housing for homeless veterans in Uniontown and thanks the community for support at the grand opening Thursday.
Alyssa Choiniere | 缅北禁地
Ken White, United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County board member, tells a community member about the transitional home for veterans he donated nearly two years of his life toward opening. The organization held its grand opening in Uniontown Thursday. The home will give homeless veterans 鈥渁 hand up, not a hand out.鈥�
Alyssa Choiniere | 缅北禁地
Flags wave outside United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County Thursday at the grand opening for the transitional home for homeless veterans in Uniontown.
Alyssa Choiniere | 缅北禁地
Fayette County Commissioner Vincent Vicites takes a tour of the United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County transitional home for homeless veterans at its grand opening in Uniontown Thursday.
Two veterans will sleep in each room at United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County in Uniontown, a transitional home for homeless veterans. The organization held its grand opening Thursday.
Two veterans will sleep in each room at United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County in Uniontown, a transitional home for homeless veterans. The organization held its grand opening Thursday.
A spacious bathroom is located near the three bedrooms at United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County in Uniontown, a transitional home for homeless veterans. The organization held its grand opening Thursday.
A long dining room table will provide a family dinner atmosphere for veterans at United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County in in Uniontown, a transitional home for homeless veterans. The organization held its grand opening Thursday.
Two veterans will sleep in each room at United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County in Uniontown, a transitional home for homeless veterans. The organization held its grand opening Thursday.
A living room with pocket doors will provide a quiet sitting area for veterans at United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County in Uniontown, a transitional home for homeless veterans. The organization held its grand opening Thursday.
Cristen Cindric gives a tour at the grand opening of United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County in Uniontown, a transitional home for homeless veterans Thursday.
A grassroots effort to convert an abandoned Uniontown house to a temporary residence for homeless veterans reached fruition Thursday after two years of volunteer work and nearly $100,000 in donations.
United Veterans Billeting of Fayette County, named for temporary housing assigned to military service members, held its grand opening on Flag Day. The 88 Lincoln St. home will house about six veterans temporarily under the model of 鈥渁 hand up, not a hand out.鈥�
鈥淲hen somebody has given up a few years of their lives, when they have given up health due to injuries received, the mental anguish they鈥檙e suffering, adjustments they have to make by returning to normal life and they just can鈥檛 do it sometimes 鈥� what do you do with somebody like that?鈥� said Ron Metros, who spearheaded the project. 鈥淒o you forget about them? Do you leave them out on the street, per say? No, you can鈥檛 do that. That鈥檚 why this place was established.鈥�
The house was modeled to provide a comfortable, homey environment where veterans can experience camaraderie with one another, taking care of their needs as they would in their own homes. Metros noted institutional environments do not provide the appropriate atmosphere for a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress and struggling to transition to civilian life.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a home setting. It鈥檚 not a marble-floored institution with noise and bright paint. No. this is a relaxing home and they will be expected to treat it as their home,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l cut this grass. They鈥檒l clean the sidewalks. They鈥檙e gonna sweep the floors and vacuum the carpets and make their own bed.鈥�
Board members will verify veteran status for those wanting to stay. Those struggling with addictions will first be sent to the Genesis House Ministry in Uniontown. Veterans will be required to search for housing and seek out benefits. Stays are limited to 90 days, but could be extended for those making genuine effort.
The house was transferred to the organization from the Uniontown Redevelopment Authority through a deferred mortgage.
鈥淲e took the worst spot on this street and made it the prettiest,鈥� Metros said. 鈥淲hen people are driving by, thumbs up, clapping, happy to see this happen you know you鈥檙e doing something right.鈥�
The home was remodeled thoughtfully to meet the needs of the veterans. The first room through the front door will include a washing machine and dryer, adjacent to a porch with patio furniture where residents can chat and relax. A large living room with pocket doors can be used as a quiet sitting area for appointments. A long table will provide a family dinner ambience, next to a computer to search for jobs and secure Veterans Affairs benefits. Veterans will make their own meals in a large kitchen. Upstairs, three bedrooms with writing desks will house two veterans apiece, near a spacious bathroom.
鈥淓verything you see is private money. There鈥檚 not one cent of government in here,鈥� Metros said.
Metros thanked dozens of local businesses, organizations and politicians for their donations and support, along with his fellow board members.
State Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Twp., said he plans to secure funds for the organization moving forward.
鈥淭here are some of our people who have served who need a helping hand, and this is an opportunity for them,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I鈥檓 right here behind you.鈥�
Fayette County Commissioner Dave Lohr also spoke, saying he prays every veteran who comes through the doors of the Billeting will be blessed and have an impact on the community.
Two veterans are expected to move in imminently, Metros said.
鈥淭hey use the term, 鈥榮weat equity.鈥� I鈥檝e got a lot of it in here,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow the fun begins.鈥�