The United Veterans of America, Inc. (UVA) is a non-profit corporation which operates a 135-bed veteran homeless shelter located at the Veterans Medical Center in Leeds, MA.
UVA's mission is dedicated to fostering independence, dignity and hope to the homeless veterans. By operating a facility that provides a safe, clean and quiet shelter, substance abuse, employment services and transitional programs for men and women veterans, that will promote a positive and productive life.
Residents are assisted in obtaining employment (either through the VA or in the community). Each admission is review separately, and the average resident is in the program from six months to two years.
All new residents must participate in the CWT (Compensated Work Therapy) Program for evaluation of their work and skill levels and are encouraged to seek employment in the private sector, in collaboration with the Veterans Administration Medical Center, and local academic and vocational education in the four Western counties of Massachusetts and in Northern Connecticut.
This is a transitional program for veteran men and women; they must be chemical-free sober. A weekly AA and NA meeting is mandatory, drug and alcohol tests are conducted at random. Counseling services are provided by experienced clinical workers and/or the VA Mental Health Clinic.
Veterans need a coordinated effort that provides secure housing and nutritional meals, essential physical health care, substance abuse aftercare and mental health counseling and personal development and empowerment. Veterans also need job assessment, training and placement assistance.
The most effective programs for the homeless and at-risk veterans are community-based, non profit, vets helping vets groups. Programs that seem to work best feature transitional housing with the camaraderie of living in structured, substance-free environments with fellow veterans who are succeeding at bettering themselves. Because government money for homeless veterans is currently limited and serves only one in 10 of those in need, it is critical that community groups reach out to help provide the support, resources and opportunities most Americans take for granted; housing, employment and health care.
The United Veterans of America, Inc. has been effective in this area, helping
hundreds of veterans with clean secure places to live, the ability to acquire
both physical and mental health care, along with the chance to find gainful
employment.
