Volunteers of America Wy. & Mt. On Thursday celebrated the opening of Freedom hall, a transitional living facility for veterans on College Meadows Drive.
“We are so proud to be able to support our veterans,” said Charles Whiton, VOA board Chairman. “The debt that is owed to those who have served … it is not able to be repaid.”
The facility, which VOA broke ground for less than a year ago, has 10 beds available for male veterans.
Residents of the home will pay rent, which VOA Vice President of Operations Heath Steel says is based on federal requirements. “They pay 30 percent of their disposable income after child support,” Steel says.
The project was completed through a partnership between VOA, the Veterans Affairs Administration and with help from several donors.
Residents run the home with the help of a program manager. According to Steel, residents will be mostly self-sufficient, which means cooking their own meals and doing other chores around the house.
Mike Putnam, lead resident of the facility with 24 years’ service
in the Army and Navy spoke at the ribbon cutting. “As residents, I cannot explain the support we feel here and how far it goes in helping us make our way back into civilian life. This has given us hope and we offer our heartfelt thanks.”
Jeff Holsinger, President and CEO of VOA said each veteran can use the program for up to two years though he expects the average stay to be between six to nine months
Representatives of Wyoming’s congressional delegation also attended the opening.