The Project
Veteran’s Haven’s latest capital campaign envisions a one-of-a-kind shelter built from shipping containers in Youngstown, featuring 14 individual bedrooms and bathrooms among congregate spaces and other amenities. The campaign title, “Serve All Who’ve Served” highlights the goal of the project: to accommodate any veteran in need, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or children with privacy and dignity.
We talked with Brandi Parker, assistant director of veteran services, to discuss the importance of this new facility and how donors can make its vision a reality.
The Need for Veterans
The private rooms afforded by the shipping containers not only allow Veteran’s Haven to “Serve All Who’ve Served” but to do so in a place that feels like home, surrounded by people who understand their needs. “They take pride in saying ‘this is my home when I’m here. This is our space. This was built for veterans.” expresses Parker.
Parker also explains that the program allows residents to stay for 6-9 months, rather than the 30 days often allotted by the average homeless shelter. She explains that clients work with a case manager, actively look for housing, and aren’t forced to leave the facility for several hours during the day. Each aspect of the program is taken into consideration to ensure that all homeless veterans can succeed, especially those with disabilities or mental health conditions.
The Need in Mahoning County
According to Parker, the closest veteran’s shelter to Mahoning County outside of the original Trumbull County location is Freedom House in Kent – one of Axess Family Services’ other veteran programs – roughly 40 miles away. Located in Youngstown, the new facility would allow homeless veterans from across the area to thrive with newfound resources, but Parker stresses that providing this kind of service can also revitalize the local community.
“For the project being the location between West Warren and Chalmers, that was a neighborhood that was notorious for crime. It was notorious for all things not needed in anyone’s community,” she details. Parker believes that neighbors “being able to come in and wrap their arms around a particular project” brings communities closer together.
It creates opportunities for people to protect those who protected them, and as Parker comments, “there’s a sense of pride that comes with that. A veteran in a well-knit community is able to thrive.”
The Vision Behind the Project
The facility is set to complete construction in Summer 2025, and we asked Parker what she pictures when the program is in operation. She states, “I envision having a community of veterans in one space. Having their home to be proud of, to take care of, and even when they do acquire the assistance to sustain housing, then to be able to have a safe space to come back and be mentors for other veterans that are participating in the program.”
Parker also envisions “a healthier community,” where the project will inspire other entities to create resources for community needs. More specifically, she believes the project will help prove the legitimacy of shipping containers as an affordable housing alternative, especially in local neighborhoods that would benefit from more options. She remarks that, when people look at it, they “wouldn’t even know this was a shipping container.”
A Message to Interested Donors
The campaign features an “adopt-a-room” approach, where donors can sponsor a room for its listed amount. Sponsors will cover the cost of that room and be featured on the “Donor Tree of Life” displayed within the main living area.
To potential sponsors, Parker expressed, “Thank you. We want you to be a part of history. We would love the opportunity to be able to provide the housing and the services with your support. There are lives that are being changed with your support. There’s resources being provided with your support. This legacy project will live far beyond a lot of us.” She continues, stating that this is a first for Youngstown, and the use of shipping containers makes it the first of its kind in Northeast Ohio.
To anyone interested who lacks the funds for a sponsorship, Parker expressed that they’re currently looking for volunteers to put together furniture, paint, lather and sweep floors, landscape, and perform other various needs as they come. Anyone willing to help get the word out about this project to potential sponsors is also extremely appreciated.
She also noted that in-kind donations are appreciated. She lists bedding, pillows, hygiene products, cleaning products, toilet paper, housewares, fuel cards, bowling gift cards, event venue passes, and supplies of food as potential donations.
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As Veteran’s Haven aims to “Serve All Who’ve Served,” the mission remains clear to Parker: “Every veteran, whether they participate in our programs or not, deserves [at least] the bare minimum of housing, of resources, of needs [met]. Every veteran who took the oath to protect and serve America.”
Construction is set to be complete in Summer 2025, and you can learn more details about donations, sponsorships, and contact information here.