The Board of Directors of the Southeastern Mass. Veterans Housing Program, Inc., known as Veterans Transition House (VTH), is welcoming nominations for the 2023 Veteran of the Year Award sponsored by BankFive. The Veteran of the Year Award is presented to a regional veteran in recognition of their outstanding contributions to veterans, veterans’ issues, and the community as a whole. This year marks the 28th annual award.
VTH seeks nominations from the public between now and September 30. The nomination form is available at https://www.vetshouse.org/veteran-of-the-year-application/ and can be requested by emailing info@vetshouse.org or calling 508-992-5313 x 2. Completed forms can be emailed to info@vetshouse.org or mailed to Veterans Transition House, 1297 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. If you know a veteran who is deserving of special recognition, VTH encourages the submission of your nomination as soon as possible.
The Award will be announced in October and presented at a special event sponsored by BankFive. Profishant, Inc., Vantage in Philanthropy and other sponsors. Help support this special event for Veterans Transition House on November 8, at Rachel’s Lakeside in Dartmouth in recognition of Veterans Day. For table sponsorship and ticket information, please contact Deven Robitaille at drobes109@gmail.com. This event is a fundraiser to support veterans housing, outreach services, and the meals program delivered by Veterans Transition House.
The 27th Veteran of the Year Award (2022) was presented to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rachel Mann, USA (Ret). Ms. Mann deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 and 2013. While serving with the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, she sustained an injury to her right foot which resulted in an amputation. Ms. Mann retired after 11 years of service. Due to a microvascular condition, Ms. Mann courageously had her left foot amputated in 2020 and turned her experience into a way to serve disabled veterans, youth and adults. She serves as vice president of Mission Working Dogs and performs outreach with the Spaulding Adaptive Sports Center.
The 26th Veteran of the Year Award (2021) was presented to Dean Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence served 21 years in the U.S. Army. He served in Operation Desert Shield from 1990 to 1991, a peace-keeping mission in Bosnia from 2000 to 2001, and Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004. Mr. Lawrence has served the community as a New Bedford police officer for over 20 years.
Founded in 1990 Veterans Transition House has provided more than 3,000 SE Mass. homeless veterans with transitional and permanent housing and comprehensive supportive services. VTH owns seven properties across New Bedford with the capacity to house 85 homeless veterans. An additional 90 veterans and their families are served within a Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. Opened in 2021, the new Anthony C. and Salvatore H. Alfiero Outreach Center is staffed with licensed clinicians and outreach staff to serve more than 1,500 veterans in our community who are at risk of becoming homeless, experiencing food insecurity, in need of human services, and require assistance with healthcare and employment. Visit www.vetshouse.org to learn more or to make a tax-deductible donation.
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