To the editor:
Maine’s motto is, “The way life should be.” Unfortunately that is not always the case for Maine veterans. Hundreds of veterans, our hometown heroes who served this country, live on the street or in shelters. For some veterans who are homeless, their life is a struggle — to find a job, maintain family connections and to find permanent housing.
Volunteers of America Northern New England has been working to change that. In addition to the transitional living services provided to male and female veterans, we are building permanent homes called Cabin in the Woods.
Built on the grounds of the Togus VA Hospital, 21 cabins will provide veterans and their families the chance to get the services they need while remaining in the rural setting they are most comfortable with. Each home is an energy-efficient, ADA accessible residential cabin (16 one bedrooms and 5 two bedrooms), dedicated to maintaining a rustic, wooded aesthetic for each veteran. The on-site community will emphasize reuniting families and employment.
Cabin in the Woods will work with local and regional agencies to meet the needs of veterans and their families. Volunteers of America Northern New England’s goal is not only to repay veterans for their bravery and service, but to finally provide them with stability and comfort. After serving our country, our veterans deserve more than just a thank you and a pat on the back, they deserve a home and a community that will fight for them the way they have fought for us.
This June, Cabin in the Woods will open its doors to the first families who will call them home — for as long as they’d like. Family ties reconnected, lives changed for the better with much needed services — you can help make that happen.
Maine veterans need your help. Your gift provides a veteran and their family a place to call home. Your support will ensure that Maine veterans get the chance to live the way life should be, too. To learn more about Cabin in the Woods and how you can help, please call 207-373-1140 or visit www.voanne.org/citw.
Erica Koch
Volunteers of America Northern New England
