After much hard work, the joint BAMP-AAMP community project at Veterans Place is almost complete. Started in 2017, the goal of the project was to renovate the Veterans Resource Center to meet with the ever-growing needs of our region's veterans.
Headed by past president Marty Marra (BAMP 2016), the project involved thousands of hours of labor with more than $200,000 in project costs donated by members of BAMP, AAMP and corporate and private contributions. The improvements proved to be extensive as well: the Center's original residential-style kitchen was upgraded for commercial usage; new space was created for office, classroom and computer use; the restroom area now includes shower stalls; a laundry facility also was added to serve homeless vets with the basic, necessary resource of clean clothing.
With these improvements in place, Veterans Place Resource Center now stands as a safe, reliable place for veterans to find food (via the Day-program's food bank plus two hot meals a day), clothing, job training and employment assistance, health and wellness aid, plus
case management and other services that address the root causes of housing instability.
With the major construction work completed, a few installations and final touches remain before October 1st, the date set for the dedication and grand opening. Elected officials and dignitaries will gather with coverage expected by the local media. Space and parking restrictions at Veterans Place limit attendance to the leadership of BAMP, AAMP and Veterans Place, veterans, and contributors.
The BAMP-AAMP Veterans Place Project still needs and welcomes donations to help defray the remaining $75,000 in construction costs
for the Resource Center. Anyone who wishes to do so
may contribute to the GoFundMe campaign.
