After learning that St. Francis House, a Veterans reintegration facility, was in dire need for new pillows, members of the Baseline-Meridian Chapter, United States Daughters of 1812 (U.S.D. 1812) purchased new pillows and pillowcases.
Twenty-six pillows with cases and a thank-you note were delivered for the veterans, and the pillows were wrapped in plastic to ensure they were kept clean while storing. Each veteran was given his own pillow to keep.
SFH advised that previously a local department store had furnished new pillows but stopped recently. All pillows donated must be new.
Begun in 1988, the SFH Veterans Re-Entry Program provides transitional housing for homeless veterans having difficulties re-entering society because of post-traumatic stress syndrome or substance abuse or other problems, a news release said.
Funded under a contract with the Veterans Administration, and located at St. Francis House's Elm Street location in Little Rock, the program provides a therapeutic setting for homeless Veterans, including the services of counseling, transitional housing, meals, laundry and activities.
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 percent 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 by a Veterans Administrations employee and from SFH Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. HVRP staff work closely with the VA Day Treatment Center and the Arkansas Workforce Center. This program is provided by a grant from the US Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training.
U.S.D. 1812 delivers clothing, homemade quilts, towel sets and toiletries regularly to SFH. To donate, email Sheila Beatty-Krout at [email protected] or text 922-7488.
For information on volunteering or donating directly to SFH, call Ken Mace, veterans director, at 501-664-5036 or email [email protected].
Society on 10/21/2018