CARIBOU, Maine — The United Veterans of Maine, (UVM) a Veterans Service Organization based in Caribou, has purchased a thirteen acre property, the former Phil’s Florist on the Washburn Road. Generous donations from multiple donors and a cooperative original owner made the purchase possible. John Deveau, President of UVM said that what seemed just a dream two years ago is now getting closer to reality.
“When we began this quest some two years ago I had no idea that we would be the owners of a property that not only will feature a homeless shelter for veterans, but also provide a viable network of greenhouses that will help us create job training for our homeless veterans and generate revenue to make the farm self-sustaining over time. We are so grateful to the many donors who have made this possible”.
Deveau began to pursue the homeless shelter idea after realizing that a veteran who had served with him in Iraq was homeless. When he began investigating options for homeless veterans in Maine he found very little resources for those who suffered from mental health issues, PTSD or substance abuse.
“The homeless shelters do a great job serving their mission but they are often not set up to shelter individuals with these kinds of problems”, said Deveau who served two tours of duty in Iraq. “That is why we decided to create a shelter program specifically for veterans and one that will be able to serve those who are experiencing these issues or any veteran who has worn the nation’s uniform. We hope to work in collaboration with the existing homeless shelters to meet the needs of any homeless veteran”.
The initial phase of the homeless shelter project – the Dahlgren-Skidgel Farm of Hope is now complete with the opening of the main administrative building. That building houses conference and counseling offices, and the administrative offices for the UVM. The building is equipped with teleconferencing technology to enhance long-distance connections with counselors at the Togus VA Medical Center or for training purposes. A number of meetings have already been held at the facility. Deveau pointed to the next phase of the project the creation of four duplex cottages that will ultimately house eight homeless veterans and the renovation and activation of five greenhouses on the property.
“Our cottages have now been designed on paper and we are beginning work on the septic system that will serve the project”, Deveau said. “Because of so many generous gifts of material we hope to have our cottages completed by the end of August or early September. We have already been contacted by veterans who would like to access our program.”
The unique feature of the project is that the concept goes well beyond simply housing the veteran. Over the next few weeks the greenhouses that were operated by the former owner as a florist business will be renovated with new plastic and work will begin on constructing planters for the vegetables that will be grown by veterans, including, eventually, those who are being housed at the shelter. Veterans at the shelter, once settled, will be trained to work in the green houses and to perform chores associated with the property such as grounds work, maintenance and other tasks.
“We want to take our best shot at rehabilitating these homeless veterans, teaching them job skills building a sense of pride and confidence”, said Deveau. “We will operate the center similar to military life which will be very familiar to the veteran. It is a hand up not a hand out and those who live at the farm will have to accept responsibility and live by the guidelines established to sustain a successful model that may well be a model for other communities”.
Official ground-breaking for the duplex cottages is scheduled for July 15 at 10:30 in the morning. Deveau said a number of dignitaries are already scheduled to appear and members of the Dahlgren and Skidgel families are being invited to take part. Donations are still being accepted for the project. To make a donation go to unitedveteransofmaine.org or for more information contact Deveau at the United Veterans of Maine Office 358 Washburn Road in Caribou or call 207-492-2190.
