Manchester Mayor Designates November as Veteran Appreciation Month, Acknowledges Harbor Care’s Veterans FIRST programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
David Tille
Harbor Care Director of Veteran Services
Office: (603) 882-3616
media@harborcarenh.org
MANCHESTER – On November 17th Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig officially designated November Veteran Appreciation Month while touring a facility owned and operated by the Nashua-based nonprofit Harbor Care.
BAE Systems Independence Hall provides transitional living units and permanent housing to New Hampshire veterans and their families, with more than 26 bedrooms, apartments, and common areas. At the event, Craig issued an official proclamation recognizing November as Veteran Appreciation Month, and took the opportunity to talk with former servicemen and servicewomen to learn more about Harbor Care’s Veterans FIRST initiative, designed to end veteran homelessness throughout the Granite State.
Standing before a room of veterans, support staff, city officials and Harbor Care leadership, Craig said that Manchester is home to approximately 6,500 veterans and thanked the agency for its commitment “to ending veteran homelessness in the Granite State.”
“I urge all members of our community to thank a veteran for their service and to observe and appreciate the sacrifices and contributions of all our veterans who have fought for peace and defended our democracy,” Craig said.
After the presentation, Craig and veterans discussed topics ranging from military benefits to pedestrian safety. David Tille, Harbor Care’s Director of Veteran Services, complimented the mayor’s ability to connect with clients. “Our veterans and staff were excited and deeply appreciative of Mayor Craig’s visit to BAE Independence Hall for Veterans Appreciation month,” he said.
Winter jackets were also distributed to veterans as part of a drive organized by Anheuser-Busch, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, and the New Hampshire Wolves Hunting Club. In total more than 500 jackets were supplied to the agency to help the vulnerable brace for winter.
Harbor Care President and CEO Peter Kelleher, Chief Operating Officer Henry Och, and Tille helped support staff distribute jackets while discussing with veteran clients the virtues of the Boeing B-52 and the difficult circumstances facing the unsheltered as winter approaches.
“It is an honor to have Mayor Craig visit our Veterans FIRST facility in Manchester,” Kelleher said, adding how important it was to have her support as the agency works to “end veteran homelessness in Manchester and throughout New Hampshire.”
“We’re so grateful to Mayor Craig for signing this historic proclamation and her commitment to help veterans in need,” he said.
Harbor Care is NH’s largest provider of integrated housing and supportive services for veterans experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire. The organization serves approximately 5,000 of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable community members, including veterans, through an array of supportive housing, behavioral health, primary and oral health care, employment, HIV/AIDS services, and home health programs.
Harbor Care’s holistic and integrated approach to community care recognizes that individuality, dignity, good health and wellness, self-respect and a safe place to live are key to a person’s ability to contribute to society. To learn more about the work Harbor Care does in NH communities, visit harborcarenh.org
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From left to right: Harbor Care’s Director of Veteran Services David Tille thanks Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig for attending the official proclamation and touring the BAE Systems Independence Hall.
From left to right: Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, Harbor Care President and CEO Peter Kelleher, and David Tille, Harbor Care’s Director of Veteran Services.
From left to right: Harbor Care President and CEO Peter Kelleher listens to Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig officially designating November as Veteran Appreciation Month.
From left to right: Harbor Care President and CEO Peter Kelleher and Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig presenting the proclamation.
From left to right: One of Harbor Care’s veteran clients engages with M Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.
From left to right: Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig interacts with Harbor Care client.
From left to right: Harbor Care President and CEO Peter Kelleher, David Tille, Harbor Care’s Director of Veteran Services, Anabel Moreno-Mendez, Manchester’s Community Engagement Manager, and Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig discuss ending veteran homelessness in the Granite State.
From left to right: Schonna Green (Manchester Director of Homeless Initiatives), Henry Och (Harbor Care Chief Operating Officer), Richard Plante (Harbor Care Board of Directors), Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, Peter Kelleher (Harbor Care President and CEO), David Tille (Harbor Care Director of Veteran Services), and Anabel Moreno-Mendez (Manchester’s Community Engagement Manager).