Soldier On Breaks Ground for Veterans Village
  John 'Jack' Downing, right, of Soldier On receives a standing ovation for his work. Below, the project was named for former VA Deputy Secretary Gordon Mansfield. |
The setting was the parking lot of the Pittsfield Plaza on West Housatonic Street, yards away from the former Optimum Care Center that will be transformed into a unique 39-unit affordable housing complex for former servicemen and -women. The village is being constructed by the nonprofit group Soldier On and named for Gordon H. Mansfield, a highly decorated veteran and Pittsfield native who aided the group's efforts as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
"Gordon Mansfield has become the source and the passion that I bring to my work every day," said Soldier On President John "Jack" Downing, his voice occasionally breaking as he told of how the now retired Mansfield became the group's friend and advocate after Downing "kicked the snot" out of the VA at a congressional hearing. "I have stood on his shoulders every day since. ... He hooked me up and never once told us to apologize and never once told us to temper our passion."
That passion brought together local, state and federal agencies, other nonprofits, local banks and the community to develop the first-ever limited equity housing project for veterans.
"Formerly homeless veterans will realize the American dream of home ownership with this Veterans Village," said Mansfield. "This concept the end of the story for homeless veterans."
 The first Soldier On Award, a bronze sculpture by Andrew DeVries, was awarded to Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mullen was unable to attend the groundbreaking but was expected to make a tribute dinner in Holyoke. |
Soldier On has been working with homeless veterans for 15 years through its 120-bed shelter for men at Northampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center and 12-bed home for women in Leeds and the transitional housing facility on the Pittsfield property where the new village will be built.
Both will include "universal" design making them accessible for disabled and elderly (allowing veterans to "age in place") and include green technology with the use of photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. Funding was made available through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston in partnership with Berkshire Bank.
Once homeless veterans who have progressed through Soldier On's shelters and transitional living facility will be eligible for the village, where they will continue to have access to the services they need. The complex will managed by the veterans as well.
Downing said the veterans don't like asking for help. "They need to be surrounded by people who were willing to accept them the way they were, share their brokenness and then help them make them decisions that might led them to sobriety, sanity and integrity."
Veterans Affairs can provide a host of services, said Mansfield, but "Soldier On is here to fill in the gaps and help those who have served reclaim their lives and their place in the community. ... This will be a community, a permanent home for veterans."
The reality that government "cannot and should not be expected to do it all" was stressed by other speakers such as Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, who lauded the collaboration on all levels to create innovative ways to attack homelessness.
 Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, chairman of a reinvigorated governor's council on homelessness, lauded Downing and Soldier On. |
Fred Karnas, senior adviser of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reiterated that pledge, saying it came directly from the White House: "The only number the president care about is zero homeless veterans, zero homeless veterans. He's made that very clear."
"Shelters are important to get people off the street but this project is the dream," he continued. "I don't know any projects like this anywhere. ... Pittsfield should be extremely proud about how they've accepted the folks here. This is an exciting project, it's a project you want to do over and over again."
That may soon come true. A second village is being planned for Leeds and Soldier On is eyeing the old police academy in Agawam. The Pittsfield complex is being touted as a national model not only for aiding veterans struggling to reintegrate back into their communities and lead healthy lives, but also as a model for future sustainability.
 An artist's rendition of one of the housing units that will be available next summer. For more photos, click here. |
Speakers at the event included Downing's nephew state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing as emcee, Mayor James Ruberto, General Dynamics General Manager Michael Kent-Tweed, Robinson Donovan PC managing partner Jeffrey L. McCormick, whose firm has been heavily involved in Soldier On and Federal Home Loan Bank Vice President Joanne M. Sullivan. The color guard, traffic control, stage and speakers were provided by the Berkshire County sheriff's office and the U.S. Navy Band played. Opening and closings prayers were by the Rev. Will Durant and Pastor James Gregory, respectively; Michael LaFleur of Soldier On leade the pledge of Allegiance.
Top photo includes the Rev. Will Durant, Mayor James Ruberto, Gordon Mansfield, Michael Kent-Tweed, Jeffrey L. McCormick, Fred Karnas, Peter H. Dougherty, Joanne M. Sullivan, Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, Willie Ledbetter of Soldier On and Jack Downing.
