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Services We Provide
United Veterans Beacon House, Inc., hereafter known as Beacon House,
is a not-for-profit charitable organization established in 1994. The
mission of Beacon House is to provide affordable housing to homeless
Veterans. These homes are all drug and alcohol free and open to veterans
who have honorably served their country. Beacon House is not supported
by any Federal, State or local agency and raises funds under Chapter
501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The agency is an active member of
the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the Nassau-Suffolk
Coalition for the Homeless. Beacon House works closely with the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Northport Long Island
and with other VA hospitals in the region. Additionally there are
affiliations with Suffolk County agencies, specifically with the
Department of Social Services. A job training agreement with the Suffolk
County Department of Labor is in place. Beacon House provides, through
linkage with local services, all the necessary supports for a veteran to
make the transition from being homeless to living independently and
productively in the community. It also provides permanent housing and
support services for veterans over age sixty-two as part of its mission.
SERVICES:
Veteran Service Offices:
Beacon House provides any veteran with assistance in obtaining their
veteran benefits; health, compensation, home loans, education, appeals,
life insurance, vocational rehab, burial.
Housing:
Beacon House is currently providing transitional housing for veterans
who are homeless – many suffer from PTSD and/or substance abuse.
Beacon House operates an emergency shelter for women and children. There
is also alternative housing for veterans and non-veterans who are in
recovery and have completed a PTSD program or a substance abuse program.
In total Beacon House provides nintey-two beds for veterans and
fifty-five for non-veterans. Properties are either owned or leased
with capital leases (to purchase).
Food:
Pantry: Beacon House has a main food pantry at its headquarters (1715
Union Avenue, Bay Shore, NY) and satellite pantries in several of its
residences in order to meet the nutritional needs of its clients. Over
one hundred people a week are consumers of our food pantries. Beacon
House also provides food delivery service for homebound elderly clients.
Thrift Store:
The Beacon House Thrift Store is located at headquarters (1715
Union Avenue, Bay Shore, NY). It provides Veterans with vouchers for food,
clothing and furniture. The Thrift Store provides employment for a group
of veterans and generates needed funds that support ongoing services.
Crisis Team:
A professional team of state licensed counselors/clinicians respond
to any crisis situation in a Beacon House residence 24 hours a day,
seven days a week.
Employment:
Beacon House assists veterans who are seeking employment. Writing
resumes, with clothes, preparing for job interviews and discussion of what is expected
in the early days of new employment are essential components of
employment counseling. Beacon House has created employment opportunities
for veterans at its shelter, the Thrift Store and other programs.
Veterans who are in residence often volunteer their services for Beacon
House projects.
Education:
Beacon House assists veterans with educational endeavors. I.E. GED
Diplomas, college and/or trade school courses as well as on the job
training.
Transportation:
Beacon House transports veterans to and from appointments (medical,
employment, interview, social gatherings). Beacon House has its own
transportation vehicles and also transportation vouchers reimburse out
of pocket money of veterans.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Volunteer:
Volunteers are needed in all aspects of Beacon House operations. Please
call 631-665-1571.
Donations:
Tax-deductible donations can be made to United Veterans Beacon House,
Inc. Donations of food, clothing, household items and vehicles are also
welcome. Please click the link at the top of the page to make a
donation.
Board of Directors:
The current Board of Directors has served since January, 2000: Michael
McGivern – Donald Cakouros – Alexander Sawczyn – John Johnson –
Rev. Frank LaPenna
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