By Paige Nash
Volunteers for Project4Hope had a booth set up at the Bonnie & Clyde Trade Days this past weekend selling merchandise and taking donations to help raise money for their transitional housing program for veterans.
Members of the Ouachita Regional Veterans Association (ORVA), a veteran run charity, began this project with hopes of ending homelessness in the central Louisiana and central Mississippi area. This much needed transitional housing will assist in eliminating at least one worry after a veteran returns home and takes those first steps adjusting back to civilian life. That is where Project4Hope comes in.
The ORVA was able to secure 7.5 acres of property located just south of Arcadia at the intersection of Highway 9 and T. Riggs Road.
The plan is to turn this property into an extensive and inclusive tiny home village that will serve as housing for both men and women with a few larger home options for families.
Project Manager Sandra Jones said, “We currently have three cabins out there right now and we are looking for donations to help finish those. We are also going to be adding 2 more cabins and a community building. The next step after that will be putting in the water and sewer.”
This will be a 90-day to 24-month transitional program where life skills, job placement, counseling programs and assistance with finding permanent housing will be available. This will be provided at no cost to the veterans.
“I have other organizations that want to work with us to help our veterans so we will have counselors and people who are trained to help provide these services,” said Jones.
The Project4Hope mission statement states, “We want to do the best with the resources we have. Each veteran has different needs, and we strive to provide care to the best of our abilities. We are striving to develop a fully functional facility that can house, feed and spiritually nourish each veteran back to full health and allow them to feel a sense of work and contribute in the way that best fits them.”
A project of this magnitude requires resources, funding and a lot of support from the community. Project4Hope is currently looking for sponsors for the homes and volunteers that will come out to the property to help build them.
The ORVA has no paid employees and is made up of strictly volunteers who are veterans or veteran supporters. If you are not able to volunteer but still want to help, you can donate.
Your donations will go directly towards helping a veteran by assisting in the cost to build this facility and operational costs after it is completed. You can donate on their website projecthope4ovra.org or mail your donation to 129 T. Riggs Road Arcadia, LA 71001.
“Each and every one of us owes a debt of gratitude to those that have gone before us and selflessly volunteered to serve in our nation’s military,” said Jones. “We would like to offer to you a way to repay that debt.”
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