Veterans group plans suburban housing, services

By Elaine Thompson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
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SHREWSBURY —  The former Massachusetts Veterans of Worcester organization has bought the Calvary Retreat Center on South Street as a refuge for needy veterans.

Dennis M. Leary, executive director of the agency, renamed Veterans Inc. two months ago, presented plans for the property to the selectmen last night.

The 44-year-old, two-story, 71,532-square-foot-building and 22.347-acre parcel were bought from the Passionist Fathers of Shrewsbury in mid-May for $2.5 million, less than half the $6.1 assessed value. Mr. Leary said funding was provided by private donations and the federal and state governments.

     “We have been blessed by having this beautiful building to become part of our organization. Not only because of all the history that goes with the building but a wonderful sense of good will and healing that goes with that entire retreat center. Our hope is to transport that to the world of veterans so they can enjoy a wonderful retreat and to reunite with a lot of their colleagues.”

Veterans Inc. will move its business office from the Grove Street, Worcester, headquarters sometime this month and ramp up providing services over the summer. The Grove Street facility will continue to serve veterans with more acute needs and provide housing to about 85 veterans.

Last year, more than 4,000 veterans and their families received services from the agency. Mr. Leary said many veterans are homeless or on the verge of becoming homeless. Thirty-five percent of homeless people across the country are veterans, he said.

Various possibilities for the new facility are still being formulated. Included will be housing for 30 veterans for up to two years, help in finding permanent housing, employment training, basic interviewing and dress-for-success classes, a computer academy and a culinary arts program.

Participants must be alcohol- and drug-free and must undergo a criminal background check. Convicted sex offenders and arsonists are among veterans who will not be not accepted at the Shrewsbury facility.

Mr. Leary said the retreat center will remain pristine and continue to be available for community groups.

He said the center provides an opportunity for the community to say thanks to veterans for the sacrifices they have made for their country. The hope is to have activities at the center to bring veterans and other members of the community together.

“To us, it’s the greatest opportunity,” said Mr. Leary. “It’s really the opposite of the tragedy of Vietnam, where our vets came back and felt unwelcome. We now can welcome them with open arms and help them to get re-established.”

The agency has certified benefit counselors on staff. “It’s amazing to me how many veterans don’t know about benefits they have been eligible for for years,” he said.

Mr. Leary said the failure of an initial attempt to build a facility off Lake Quinsigamond was “a blessing in disguise.” He said the Calvary retreat is much more affordable for the purposes needed and a much better site.

The agency dropped Massachusetts from its name two months ago in light of programs it is involved with outside of the state.

Funding was recently obtained to start a similar veterans program in White River Junction, Vt. A proposal has also been submitted to the Veterans Administration to construct 100 units of permanent housing on the Newington, Conn.., Veterans Administration campus.