COATESVILLE, PA — In a heartening display of community solidarity, two non-profit organizations were recently honored by the Coatesville VA Medical Center for their invaluable contributions to aiding previously homeless Veterans transition into permanent housing. David’s Drive 831 and the Community Warehouse Project were recognized with the prestigious Coin of Excellence for their tireless efforts in Chester, Bucks, and Montgomery Counties.
The awards were presented on December 1 by Executive Medical Center Director, Jennifer Harkins, in the presence of social workers from Coatesville VA who regularly collaborate with both organizations. “These long-term partnerships we have built and are building in the community extend the care we provide here and support Veterans as they work to successfully integrate into the community,” said Harkins.
The Coatesville VA’s Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program offers a lifeline to homeless Veterans and their families by assisting them to find and maintain permanent housing. The program also provides access to crucial services such as health care, mental health treatment, substance use counseling, and other support needed to sustain housing while recovering.
Glenda Brion, the Executive Director of the Community Warehouse Project, has been in partnership with Coatesville VA for six years. During this time, she has coordinated 95 furniture deliveries ranging from single items to complete sets for studio apartments. This effort has potentially saved each Veteran thousands of dollars in costs.
Brion’s team responds to requests for furniture from social workers at Coatesville VA, selecting items from their warehouse to match the Veterans’ needs and arranging for delivery. “Who has that much money coming out of homelessness? That’s not going to happen. We get them started so they are not feeling ‘less than’ because they don’t have a sofa to sit on or a table or dishes while they are trying to find their way,” said Brion.
David Turner, founder of David’s Drive 831 (DD831), has been an ardent advocate for Veterans and has coordinated donations for the last 14 years. Turner’s organization has supplied 750 beds to Veterans moving into permanent housing, helping them feel at home from day one. “They get so excited when the furniture arrives. They say, ‘I’m going to put my couch over here. Put my feet up over here.’ You’re talking about four pieces of furniture. It’s not much but it makes them feel at home, that they are not forgotten. It gives them hope,” said Turner.
This recognition of community partners by Coatesville VA underscores the importance of local support in enabling Veterans to transition successfully back into the community. It serves as a reminder that when we work together, our collective efforts can make a significant impact on the lives of those who have served our country.
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