USD 1812 delivers needed items for veterans
Since 2015, the United States Daughters of 1812 has delivered needed items for the veterans housed at St. Francis House, the veterans reentry program in Little Rock, and to the VA.
The veterans reentry program, which started in 1988, provides transitional housing for homeless veterans having difficulties reentering society because of post-traumatic stress syndrome or substance abuse or other problems. The program provides a therapeutic setting for homeless veterans, including the services of counseling, transitional housing, meals, laundry, and activities, a USD 1812 news release said.
Clients’ personal needs are assessed when they arrive, and, if needed, they are provided personal items of soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. The average stay is three months but can be as long as two years. Veterans participate in various training groups four days a week, including life skills, the release said.
Those unable to work are assisted with securing other types of income, such as VA pension or disability. All residents are required to save 75% of their income to secure permanent housing. Once their savings are sufficient, they are assisted in finding housing. Able veterans are required to seek employment. Assistance with employment is provided, it said.
Many of the items will be presented to graduating veterans as housewarming gifts, including kitchenware and quilts, once they have established their own residence.
U.S.D. 1812, with a membership of only 130 ladies, has since January delivered to the veterans over 200 pairs of men’s jeans, nearly 200 new towel sets — bath, hand and two washcloths, 22 sets of dishes, and other items needed.
“U.S.D. 1812 depends on friends’ and neighbors’ contributions to fulfill this ministry. It is estimated over the last eight months that $23,000 has been delivered by the group to SFH and VA Voluntary Services,” the release said.
SFH is located at 2701 S. Elm, Little Rock. Email info@ stfrancishouselr.org or call 501-664-5036 for more information. For pickup and delivery, call Sheila Beatty-krout at beattykrout@suddenlink. net.