Department Spotlight: Pennsylvania gives homeless veterans a new beginning
Photo courtesy of The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania

Department Spotlight: Pennsylvania gives homeless veterans a new beginning

Editor’s note: This is a weekly series of Department Spotlight stories featuring unique programs and initiatives of departments throughout The American Legion. Department adjutants are invited to recommend subjects for their departments by emailing magazine@legion.org.

American Legion Past National Commander Ron Conley listened as many people discussed helping homeless veterans; however, nothing was ever done. So under his leadership as Department of Pennsylvania commander in 1987, Conley decided it was time to walk the walk.

In 1988, the Department of Pennsylvania established the Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation and purchased four townhomes between the cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to provide a safe, clean, stable environment for veterans while they completed schooling or job training and became self-sufficient to seek permanent housing. Today, the corporation operates six homes.

“I felt that as a state commander The American Legion had to step up to the plate and do more than talk. And we had to take action,” said Conley, who currently serves as the corporation’s president. “The Housing for Homeless Veterans Program is designed to enhance the quality of life for the veteran; we want them to stand on their own two feet and become productive citizens again.”

Since its inception, more than 400 veterans have gone through the department’s program with an 85 percent success rate. The Pittsburgh VA puts the Department of Pennsylvania in contact with the veterans, who have the responsibility of cooking, cleaning and doing laundry while going through the program. A veteran may reside in one of the homes for up to two years with the stipulation they attend school or find a job.

An annual fundraising dinner in January, that involves Legion family members, helps the corporation maintain the six homes. The dinner raised more than $120,000 over the past three years to help refurbish the homes.

“The satisfaction of knowing that we are standing shoulder to shoulder to help a veteran get their life turned around, to start a new beginning, says it all. It makes you feel good,” Conley said. “It makes you feel good to see veterans get their lives turned around and get reunited with their families or start new ones.”