Denis Leary - Veterans Inc

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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.
Page 4 and 5: inkpage 4A Roof Over Their HeadsMee
Page 6 and 7: inkpage 6Veterans Inc.’s Sweetest
Page 8: inkpage 8Message from the President

Denis Leary - Veterans Inc

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