An EFFORT To Reduce Veteran Homelessness In The Mid-Hudson Valley

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Chapter I

Our story, our history, begins with the passage of the Title V of the Federal law Stewart B. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act enacted in 1987 to make suitable Federal surplus real property available to representatives of the homeless.

Among the properties was the last surplus parcel of Camp Shanks, “Last Stop USA”, on Western Highway, in the hamlet of Tappan.

The 2040 acre camp was created in 1943. It was spread among the hamlets of Tappan, Sparkill, Orangeburg and Blauvelt.

Its purpose was to be a staging facility as part of the world's largest Port of Embarkation in World War II. Over one million GIs from all of the USA passed through on their way to fight the Nazi army. Most waded into the face of death on D-Day, never to come home, even in death. Over 4,400 Allied soldiers were killed on D-Day.

After the war the Campsite became our nation's largest veteran housing program. Our 7+ acre parcel was used as headquarters of one of the Cold War NIKE missile silos sites in Blauvelt, then a home to a Special Forces Unit and Company B of the 845 Engineering Battalion of the 411 Engineering Brigade of the US Army.

Ergo, when the property was declared surplus, a group of advocates for "Special Needs" housing, led by John Allen Murphy, a former Marine Corps Captain, created the "Rockland Homes For Heroes" 501[c]3 Not-For-Profit Charity for the purpose of serving homeless veterans and establishing a “Living Monument” on this sacred historic military land. The Charity secured the parcel and in 2009 built eight permanent, affordable, supportive apartments, which turned many lives around. In 2013 the Federal Government awarded "Rockland Homes For Heroes" a Lease and in 2019 a Deed.

Chapter II

The program was so successful, by every yardstick, of the 8 homes, that "Rockland Homes For Heroes' [RHFH] decided to add 14 more homes to help end veteran homelessness in the 6 Counties of the Lower Mid Hudson Valley. This is the subject of this Newsletter.

RHFH has no employees. It is managed by a 6 unpaid volunteer member Board of Directors, 3 of whom are veterans, one a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal. The Board, which is very cost-minded, rather than create a Staff/office, choose to contract for all its services with Loeb House, Inc., another 501[c]3 Charity created in 1982, which now serves over 150 mentally ill and homeless adults. Under the leadership of Tom Zimmerman, it has earned the highest respect of the Human Care World. Moreover, with no duplication of office space and staff, the operating costs are modest. More importantly, Loeb House provides both Rent Subsidies and Case Management.The Loeb House office is in One Blue Hill Plaza, Pearl River

Ergo, in early 2020, RHFH & Loeb House began assembling all the required funding and government authorizations to fulfill our vision and mission.

The journey of the 2 years and 3 months has been very, very arduous, and thanks, in part, to many supporters of homeless veterans in the government and in this community who have contributed to help us with our "Start-Up” costs. We will almost have reached the goal and we will break ground in early April. Yes, we will start building within 60 days. Thank all of you.

There are not enough words, or enough right words, adequate enough to correctly tell the whole story as most impossible dreams, visions, missions become reality. If I tried to identify all our Angels, I would commit the sin of omission, but some must be made known, such as:

The Calvin & Jean King Foundation
Yvette & Pascal Desroches
Family of TimonyMoran [Deceased Veteran]
Federal Home Loan Bank
Leslie Gambardella [deceased]
VFW Auxiliary Piermont Post 7462

And all the folks on the Donor Wall on our web site - www.rocklandhomesforheroes.org

Pleas visit the site, which also tries to tell our story, and maybe make a modest contribution to help us reach our needed “Start-Up” cash goal.

In any case, I thank you for your interest in helping end veteran homelessness in our corner of the world and join us in celebrating our coming “Ground Breaking”.

From the Board of Directors of Rockland Homes For Heroes:

John Murphy - President {Open to all calls/emails - 845-323-2329 or Murphy6288@Icloud.com]\}
Thomas Micelli - Vice President
Monica Toscano- Secretary
William Warren - Treasurer
Joh Manifold-

Carlos Martinez -

Marty Wortendyke -

PS - A sincere heartfelt “THANK YOU” to every business, organization, Girl Scout Troop, families, etc. who embraced our resident former homeless veterans in the existing homes with contributions of food, clothing, personal items, etc. especially during the early pandemic and on all holidays from Day One to last week.

Lanning TaliaferroEditor, Patch.com
914-486-8035
lanning.taliaferro@patch.com

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