It is easy to forget that we are blessed to have a home.

Read how an SBRA Member did their part to help a person who was not so fortunate.

SBRA was recently contacted by The Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk County, a non-profit located in Patchogue. They run a program called Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), a federally funded grant, via the Veterans Administration, which helps to house veterans who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. They requested our help with their efforts to find homeless people, especially now that the cold weather is coming. To read more about their request ... click here.

Not long after the information about this important need in our community was posted there has been a great success story achieved by an SBRA Member. This story was provided to us by the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Outreach Coordinator. Read story below.

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Dear Norm,

I personally wanted to thank you on behalf of our staff. Myself and our intern Rob went out to the area you directed us to, near the BJ’s and Walmart, and followed the path you mentioned. We did, in fact, see the tent you told me about a few weeks ago. We called out and the individual was there and responded to us. We let him know we were there to check on his wellbeing. He opened the tent and we gave him warm clothing, socks and toiletries. He, surprisingly, expressed an interest in emergency housing which, being in this business, is very rare. Needless to say, we were happy with that. He claimed to be a veteran, but wasn’t able to prove it. However, that doesn’t negate the fact that he is a human being and shouldn’t be denied the little things people take for granted each day.

We called the Federation of Organizations and they came out to talk to him. While we waited with him, we bought him a hot dog, and then when Federation of Organizations arrived, we briefed them on the situation. He was taken to Department of Social Services to get Emergency Housing. Our hope is that he will continue working with them to come up with a plan of action to get to a point of sustainability.

I just wanted to let you know that, had it not been for your call to us, we would not have known about this man and he may well have tried to go it alone through the winter. Thank you so much for the call. Again, even though this man wasn’t a veteran, today was without a doubt a huge success.

Please feel free to share this story with anyone from the Bike Rider’s Association, as your phone call is a testament to the fact that things can be done to help those in need. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank You.
 
Happy Holidays and a Prosperous and Healthy New Year to you and your family!
 
Regards,
Rich Dellasso
SSVF Outreach Coordinator
Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc.
31 West Main Street, Suite 300
Patchogue, New York  11772
E-mail: rdellasso@eoc-suffolk.com
631-289-2601 ext. 125