On May 1, the Eastern Region Superintendents and staff met at St. Francis Commons to prepare a lunch meal for the veterans.
Saint Francis Commons is a transitional housing facility for homeless veterans, centrally located in downtown Scranton Pennsylvania. It is a 30-unit facility and there are approximately 20 veterans living in the fully furnished apartments at this time. All of the veterans come from different backgrounds and history, but the common theme is: being homeless brought them together.
Each veteran has his or her own bedroom and bathroom, while utilizing community kitchens, dining rooms, laundry rooms and TV lounges to encourage socialization and community.
The program provides up to 24 months of temporary housing, case management, food assistance, clothing assistance, on-site counseling, vocational assistance, transportation assistance, recreational opportunities, and referrals to a wide array of services. The facility is staffed 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The staffing includes, but isn't limited, to case managers, psychology staff, maintenance staff and transportation staff.
Each veteran completes an individualized goal plan with their case manager to outline the goals they would like to accomplish and develop a housing plan to attain permanent and sustainable housing upon discharge. As well, daily transportation is provided to the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center for any Veteran needing to attend appointments.
We were grateful for the opportunity to give back to some who have already given so much for us.