Denis Leary - Veterans Inc

inkpage 2Meet Janie, Air Force Veteran & Long-Term Housing ResidentWhat was your military experience?I served in the Air Force from 1979 to 1986. Iwas a Crash Rescue Fire Fighter for my entireenlistment. I served in the Azores, islands off thecoast of Portugal. The Air Force has Crash RescueFire Fighters stationed at every airfield to respondto emergencies. Their mission is to save pilotsand fight aircraft fires, whether large frame or jetaircraft – everything from C-5’s to F-16’s. Minewas a regular duty assignment. I did not serve ina war. When I left active duty, I went into the AirForce Reserve, and worked in civil service at thefire department at Westover.What brought you to Veterans Inc?What got me to where I am now was a series ofbad decisions in relationships. In about a 3-yearspan I went through a very nasty divorce and Ilost everything. After the divorce I tried to finda place where I could start over, a place where Ibelonged. I tried going back home to Georgiaand that didn’t work out. I came back up hereand tried living with a friend, and that didn’twork out either. When I was told I couldn’t livewith my friend any more, I had been at a newjob for 60 days. With the new job I thought,“This is my opportunity,” but suddenly I didn’thave a place to live. I was driving back and forthfrom Springfield where my daughter lived tonorth central Massachusetts to work, and when Icouldn’t commute the many miles from her houseto work my shift, I was living in my car so I couldkeep my job.I started going to counseling at the BedfordVA medical center, but I couldn’t keep myappointments. When I told [my counselor] whyI was unable to keep the appointments, she andanother counselor got the ball rolling. Withindays they hooked me up with a VA representative,and she connected me with Bob Persley, the CaseManager at the Veterans Inc. housing in Ayer [theformer Fort Devens] where I live. [Editor’s note:Janie shares a 3-bedroom bungalow with twoother women.] Bob has been just wonderful. Hehas helped me so much, and he introduced meto Joseph Ryan at Veterans Inc. who helped meget into school. Bob keeps in touch with me on aregular basis. We talk a lot. When my son recentlycame home [on leave], it was a wonderful butdifficult time. This is my only son coming homefrom the military and I didn’t have a home forhim to come home to. I spoke with Bob aboutCase Manager Jessica Lemenagerstarted a quilting club as a Health& Wellness social enrichmentactivity. Grove Street residentSteven, pictured here, is a proudmember of the “Quilting V’s,”which uses sewing machines andsupplies donated by the SchoolHouse Quilters of Shrewsbury,Mass. Steven completed this quiltjust in time for his daughter’s 11thbirthday.how difficult this was, and about how much Ineed to have my own home and support myselfindependently.What do you want to accomplish whileliving at Veterans Inc?I am starting on a liberal arts degree and amenrolled in a health sciences program. I am takingcare of prerequisites in order to get into a nursingprogram. I am currently working at a hospital, as aPatient Care Assistant, where I draw labs, assist in“At Veterans Inc., you are more than just a numberor a name on the computer screen.”— Janeysome surgical procedures, and work with nurses tocare for patients.What is your plan for transitioning out ofour housing?The program that I want to get into, if all goeswell, should take 2½ years to complete. In themeantime, I may be able to obtain a different typeof more independent housing. We will look intothis once things are more settled – I’ve just startedschool. Living at Devens right now is great.My tour of duty fell into a gray area, at a timewhen there was a complete change of benefits, andI am not eligible for any veterans’ benefits. I donot qualify for the GI bill for my education andthat is where Joe Ryan stepped in to help. Withhis help, through Veterans Inc., I have obtainedfunding for my first semester so I can start back toschool quickly, and keep the momentum going.When you come to terms with things later on inlife, you appreciate the value of time.What would you like the public to knowabout you and your experience?If it hadn’t been for being a veteran, I am not surewhere I would be.Veterans Inc. provides a real wealth ofopportunities, but you have to be willing toput in the time and the effort. The people havebeen great. The one thing that is very differentin dealing with other [non-veteran] programs,for example state programs, is that those casemanagers have an overwhelming case load andthey can’t give you the time or connect you withthe resources you need. I haven’t found that here.At Veterans Inc., you are more than just a numberor a name on the computer screen.

page 3Employment & Training in ActionThe way Employment & Training Manager JoeRyan sees it, developing people is the true purposeof the Employment & Training program. Toaccomplish this, Veterans Inc. offers targeted jobtraining and counseling on-site at our residentialfacilities, and partners with employers andeducation and training providers throughoutMassachusetts. We asked Michael, a Gulf Warveteran, how the program affected his life.What was going on in your life thatbrought you to the shelter at Veterans Inc?Like any other person, I struggle with personalissues. The economic crisis alone did not affectmy decision to enter the program. I am aperson who manages PTSD symptoms everyday. I needed people who were skilled withintheir respective disciplines to speak to me andbring a sense of security and order to my life.Veterans Inc. staff who specialize in employment,psychiatric care and case management proactivelyprovided the information I needed to createa sense of hope for reintegrating my life withsociety.“I am very impressed with the respect and dignityshown to me by the Residential Advisors. — MichaelHow long have you lived here?Six hard, long, productive, and thought-outweeks.How has the Employment & TrainingProgram helped you set and reach yourgoals?My Case Manager, Evelyn Absher, is aresourceful, amiable vegetarian woman whohelped me to meet my specific goal of returningto work by referring me to EmploymentSpecialist Bob Perry. Another great help cameby way of a man named Paul Verdolino. Mr.Verdolino is an instructor here. He teaches aclass on résumé creation. Although I already hada professional résumé, I reluctantly participatedand formed my first simple CV that conveyed tomy future employer the career history and specificemployment goals on one ivory page. Not longafter, I participated in a job fair and presented myfinished document to a recruiter. To my surprise,I was not only granted a second interview, buta third as well. As of March 7, I am gainfullyemployed in a very well paid blue-collar position.My plan is to secure full-time employment asa commercial truck driver. I have completedtraining at the United Tractor Trailer school ofChicopee, Mass.Is there anything youwould like people to knowabout your experienceliving at Veterans Inc?After working a 10-12 hourday, I look forward to agood hot meal served with smiles from variousorganizations, such as the Girls Scouts, whobenevolently give of their time, resources andenergies for someone like me. It is not easy tolive in an atmosphere with little privacy. I amvery impressed with the respect and dignityshown to me by the Residential Advisors. I wouldpersonally like to thank Vin Perrone and DenisLeary for their continued support of veterans whoare deeply in need of the same services that I havebeen provided.What is your plan for transitioning out ofthe program?One of my personal goals while residing at VeteransInc. is to build a sustainable savings account tohelp me transition to a single room occupancy unitor studio apartment that allows cats.EMPLOYEE PROFILE (continued from page 1)helped him sift through local, state and federalprograms to get the benefits he needed to moveon with his life. They also got him into someenrichment activities, to develop some softerskills. In addition, he went through the smokingcessation program.Peter has imminent plans to move out of theshelter, and he is planning to become a drug andalcohol abuse counselor, specifically for veterans.He will start a drug abuse counseling trainingprogram in the next few months.How has being in the military helped yourelate to clients?Serving abroad allows me to understand some ofthe generalities of the experience of veterans whohave been deployed and served abroad. I went toIraq but I can sit down with someone who servedin Vietnam and we can speak the same languageBrian at the Holiday Harvest Food Bankabout frustrations, insecurities and the kind of“us versus them” mentality that can developbetween the typical combat veteran and nonservingcivilians.Would you please tell us your thoughtsabout your upcoming deployment?On the military side, Afghanistan is muchdifferent than Iraq. It’s a completely differentregion, and a different mission for me. I amexcited and ready and scared all at the same time.The toughest part will be missing my friends,family and co-workers dearly.What are your thoughts as you leaveVeterans Inc?As I leave Veterans Inc., I leave behind a placethat allowed me to grow professionally andemotionally over the past year and a half. I planon coming back here, and getting back intoveterans’ issues, as soon as I return home.

inkpage 4A Roof Over Their HeadsMeeting Critical Housing Needs1Veterans Inc.’s Housing Program has a success rate of 85% fortransitioning clients out of homelessness, one of the highest in thenation. Emergency, transitional and supportive housing is offeredat the following facilities. In keeping with Veterans Inc.’s holisticapproach, intensive support services ranging from case managementto job readiness training are offered at the facilities, to help homelessveterans reintegrate into their families and communities.51Grove Street in Worcester is the largestone-stop center for veterans in CentralMassachusetts, and the only drug- andalcohol-free shelter in the area. It houses up to 85veterans every day in emergency and transitionalfacilities.2Three renovated triple-deckers onCambridge & Canterbury streets inWorcester offer transitional and permanentsupportive housing for 30 veterans.3The Sheridan Street facility in Worcesterincludes 10 transitional housing units forwomen with or without children, an outreachcenter, and the Little Patriots pre-school for thechildren of veterans, military families and others.4Independence Hall, a 40,000-sq- ft.facility on 22 acres in the heart ofShrewsbury, provides transitional housingfor 30 veterans, as well as Health & Wellness andEmployment & Training services. (IndependenceHall also has meeting space and event facilities; seebox to the right.)5Veterans Inc. manages 14 townhouses andbungalows at the former Fort Devens inAyer, housing 36 individuals, includingsingle women veterans.6Veterans Inc.’s newest housing facilityis in Bradford, Vermont and will offertransitional housing for 10 maleveterans.2346Meeting & Function Spacefor Groups & BusinessesVeterans Inc.’s Independence Hall inShrewsbury — formerly the Cavalry RetreatCenter — provides meeting and conferencespace for groups and organizations in a serene,landscaped setting nestled in a wooded areajust 7 miles from the city of Worcester inCentral Massachusetts.Independence Hall offers training rooms/classrooms,meeting space, a chapel, and a banquetroom for conferences and social events. Roomsare equipped with wireless internet access,PC projectors, screens, and sound systems.Catering services are available from Pepper’sFine Foods or the Veterans Inc. chef.For more information, contact SusanBoucher at (508) 791-1213, ext. 132 orsusanboucher@veteransinc.org.

page 5National Recognition... TwiceVeterans Inc. has been awarded not one buttwo national awards for service to veterans: theOutstanding Service Provider Award from theSecretary of the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, andthe Outstanding Member Award from the NationalCoalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV).“While our employees and volunteers don’t do thisjob for the recognition, it’s rewarding just the sameto receive awards from two paragons of service toveterans, the VA and the NCHV,” says Lt. ColonelVincent J. Perrone, USAF (retired), president andCEO of Veterans Inc.Secretary ofVeterans AffairsEric K. Shinsekipresented hisaward, whichrecognizesexceptional serviceto homelessveterans, to Perrone and Veterans Inc. ExecutiveDirector Denis M. Leary in front of 1,500 peoplein Washington, D.C. Veterans Inc. was chosenfrom more than 1,000 veterans organizations acrossthe country.“This award confirms the standard of excellenceset by Veterans Inc. in the provision of services forveterans and their families,” Congressman JamesMcGovern (D-MA) said at the ceremony.Leary describes the importance of these services:“Deployment to any area of the world hasimpact on both the veterans and their families.Deployment to a war zone can have significantconsequences which often do not surface until theveteran has returned home. Our job is to help theentire family.”The NCHV selected Veterans Inc. from more than250 veterans services organizations nationwide,“for two decades of developing assistance programsto help veterans in crisis in the central and westernMassachusetts area,” according to NCHV’swebsite.Income & ExpensesVA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki presents theOutstanding Service Provider Award toVeterans Inc. Pictured are (left to right):Finance & Development Director AllisonAlaimo, Secretary Shinseki, Executive DirectorDenis Leary, President & CEO VincentPerrone, Case Manager/Wellness CoordinatorEvelyn Absher, and Community RelationsManager Amanda Riik.“Deployment to a war zone can have significant consequences which often donot surface until the veteran has returned home. Our job is to help the entire family.”Veterans Inc. is fortunate to have several streams of income to fund its important programs.A full 30% comes from individual and corporate donors.State18%Private30%INCOME STREAMSFederal52%Only 7% of Veterans Inc.’s funds are used for administration, with 93% going directlyinto programs and services.EXPENSES— Denis LearyVisit our new website:www.veteransinc.organd become aFan of Veterans Inc.on Facebook!AdministrationPrograms 93%7%

inkpage 6Veterans Inc.’s Sweetest Volunteer!Every Thursday morning for twoyears, Alice Pearson has parked hercar outside the front door of 69 GroveStreet and emerged with stacks ofcontainers holding the high pointof the day for many Veterans Inc.residents: homemade dessertscreated in Alice’s own kitchen.Preparing dessert for the nearly 100 peopleutilizing the Veterans Inc. hot lunch programrequires a precise regimen. Alice shops onMonday, and bakes on Tuesday and Wednesday.Before she can start baking each week’s five cakes,she has preliminary work to do, laying out dishes,utensils and ingredients in a staging area in herhallway, because her home’s “little, tiny” kitchenis too small. After bringing the cakes to GroveStreet, she creates individual portions and addsfinishing touches such as real whippedcream, caramel or chocolate sauce,cookie bits and maraschino cherries,transforming her labors of love intoworks of art. For Easter, she created afrosted cake topped with green coconut,Easter eggs and marshmallow bunniesand chicks.“After I retired, I wanted to volunteer,” Aliceexplains. “I used to bring in the desserts and leave,but Amanda, who coordinates the volunteers,asked if I would like to have a regular day tobring the desserts, and to serve them myself so theveterans would know who was cooking for them.”Alice’s dedication earned her an OutstandingVolunteer Award from the United Way. Whenasked why she comes back week after week Alicesays, “We owe the veterans a debt of gratitude.This can hardly pay back our debt, but it’s thelittle bit I can do for them. I love seeing the guysand chatting with them: they add enjoymentto my life. Everyone has their own stories, andthey are very appreciative. I get more joy out ofcooking for them than they can ever beginto know.”“We owe the veterans a debt of gratitude. I get more joy outof cooking for them than they can ever begin to know.” — AliceVolunteers in ActionA dozen volunteers from All Saints Church in Worcester(right) have been purchasing, preparing and serving a monthlydinner at the Grove Street program for almost two years aspart of a larger Feeding Ministry outreach group. VolunteerConnie Ekstrom says the group’s commitment is quite natural:“They’ve done for us; we have got to do for them.”2010VolunteerOrientationScheduleFrom serving meals to running in road races, VeteransInc. depends on its volunteers to help our veterans. Weencourage you to join this diverse group of compassionatecommunity members!Register for a Volunteer Orientation by contactingAmanda Riik at (508) 791-1213, ext. 123 oramandariik@veteransinc.org.Upcoming orientations are onWednesdays from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.:July 14August 18

page 7Wish List:Donations of the followingare always extremely helpful,and can be dropped off24 hours a day at69 Grove Street, Worcester, Mass.A more comprehensive listis posted on our website,www.veteransinc.org.For information on donationsincluding how torun a donation drive,please contact Amanda Riik at(508) 791-1213 ext 123 ore-mail AmandaRiik@veteransinc.org• Bus and train passes• Gift certificates to sporting events, hardware stores, fast food restaurants, etc.• Toiletries: deodorant, plastic closeable soap dishes, shampoo• Clothing: new rubber shower shoes (flip-flops), men’s large/extra large, sizes 8-10• Men’s new underwear, all sizes• New men’s sneakers, all sizesW• Postage stamps• New twin white flat and fitted sheets• New double white flat and fitted sheets• New pillows• New bath towels• Laundry detergentPlease note: we cannot accept any items containing alcohol, such as some mouthwashes and aftershaves.Giving From the Hearthether handing out packages on Food Bank days orsponsoring the Gala Military Ball, with their everygesture Dorothy and Milton Whiting exemplifythe definition of philanthropy: “love of mankind.”For more than 10 years, Milton and Dorothy have supported,tended, and nurtured Veterans Inc. and the clients we serve,with open hearts and unfailing enthusiasm.Pictured here with Finance & Development Director AllisonAlaimo, Executive Director Denis Leary, and President & CEOVincent Perrone, the couple recently made a gift towardVeterans Inc.’s new South Street facility in Shrewsbury, whichwill provide long-term, supportive housing; health and wellnessprograms; and outpatient counseling services for veterans;all in a healing, serene setting on 22 acres.Not only are Dorothy and Milton the largest private donors toour organization, they are the most ardent supporters of ourwork and our mission. All of us at Veterans Inc. are richer fortheir presence in our daily lives.(l-r) Allison Alaimo, Denis Leary, Dorothy Whiting, Milton Whiting, andVincent Perrone.

inkpage 8Message from the President and CEO, Vincent J. PerroneVincent J. Perrone, Lt. Colonel,USAF (Retired)Veterans Inc. opened its doors to nine homelessveterans in 1992 as a small, grassroots, allvolunteerorganization offering cots in anabandoned National Guard Armory. Since then,Veterans Inc. has grown into a professional,comprehensive organization, recognizednationwide for the success of its innovativeprograms. Since its inception, Veterans Inc. hashelped more than 40,000 veterans and theirfamilies overcome the chaos of homelessness,re-gain hope, and live the lives of dignity they sorichly deserve.With the deployment of thousands of additionaltroops to Afghanistan and ongoing operationsin Iraq, we are poised to provide services for soldierswho return to New England with PTSD and othercombat-related problems, few resources, and fragilesocial networks that leave them nowhere else to turn.With your support, we will continue to serve themany veterans and their families in need whocome to us, some of whom you will meet in thisnewsletter. We invite you to join with us to sustainour organization, and the programs and practices thatstand as a model for agencies serving veterans acrossthe country.Upcoming EventsFor information on tickets, volunteering, or sponsoring an event, contactAmanda Riik at (508) 791-1213 ext. 123 or amandariik@veteransinc.org.All events benefit Veterans Inc. unless otherwise noted.Sat., July 10Freedomsong 3Produced by JPerry ProductionsSun., Aug. 1514th Annual Redemption Rock Bike Runsponsored by 140 PubSun., Oct. 17Tim Jackson Memorial Bike Runsponsored by Sheldon’s Harley-Davidson& BuellSun., Nov. 76th Annual Veterans’ Memorial5K Road RaceThurs. Nov. 11Veterans Day Pancake BreakfastSat., Nov. 13Gala Military BallCelebrating our 20th AnniversaryOff with your hat, as the flag goes by!And let the heart have its say;you’re man enough for a tear in your eyethat you will not wipe away.~Henry Cuyler BunnerDesign and Production of “Veterans Ink” compliments of Tonelli-Brown Art & Design50 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609 • www.tonellibrownart.com