by
Frederick Johnson | 11.14.2010
HEROES TODAY
Frederick Johnson
Proud Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom III
Founder / CEO
www.heroestoday.org
"We change the world not by what we say or do, but as a consequence of what we have become"
Dr. David Hawkins
How are you today, I wanted to reach out to you in an effort to inform you of the initiative taking place in Chester. My name is Frederick Johnson, I am a 16 year Army veteran and OIF III veteran who holds the rank of SSG, I am also a native of the City of Chester. I have started an organization to help my brothers and sisters who are in distress (http://heroestoday.org) which has been operating on a grassroots level in pittsburgh since 2008. I have returned because my vision is to have our first supportive services building in the City of Chester.
When I returned from Iraq in November of 2005 I suffered a lot of issues both physically and mentally. I became homeless and addicted to mood altering substances to cope with daily living, all of that happened right here in Chester. I checked myself into the VA hospital in Perry Point Maryland and was hospitalized in 3 different VA hospitals for the entire year of 2007 ending up in Pittsburgh as a last stop.
Currently, there are no community organizations that are 100% dedicated to the support of our veterans in the City of Chester and surrounding seven boroughs (which calculates roughly to be over 7,200 veterans) nor have there been for several decades. I plan on changing that and I have begun to work toward making it a reality for the veterans in this area to have supportive services that address the specific needs that we as former military have. I have assembled a committe that will assist not only my organizations placement in the community but will also address the needs of our veterans as well. This committee will remain in place even after my organization completes the transition into a building and providing active programs. The vision for the committee is to serve as the eyes and ears for the veteran community in this area. It is also to influence the decision makers in Chester and surrounding 7 boroughs to become more actively engaged in the lives of the veterans and the families of veterans within there communities.
As someone who has first hand information on the struggles of our veterans I know you understand the importance of having an organization in place in this area that can not only provide supportive services but also advocacy for not only the veteran but thier families as well. On November 10, 2010 I had the pleasure of attending and being a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Buchmann Meadows. This is a 42 unit permanent housing facility that will allow our veterans to have affordable housing in the area. But we cannot stop here, we must continue to forge forward and assertively address the needs of all of our veterans in this area so that they are able to take advantage of the outstanding opportunity to have affordable housing.
I would like to alert the community of this initiative by providing a detailed interview. This interview will alert our veterans in this area of this initiative so they are aware of a resource to help them, and also alert the communities of this initiative so that they can get involved. This is a historical movement for this area. So historic in fact that the veterans that I have come in contact with (since starting this initiative in July) dont even believe this is really happening or is actually for them. I attribute this to the facts that no organization outreaches to our veterans in this area so they have the sense of being the "Forgotten Ones". This needs to change, our veterans have given a lot to support the freedoms of this country and it is time that we as a community and as a people let them know that we are here for them. I hope that you agree with not only the purpose of this outreach but the importance as well.
My contact inforomation is:
Cell: 412-251-4554
Business: 1-888-330-3235x7
Email: fred@heroestoday.org
"Helping Soldiers Fight The War Against Homelessness"
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