By Libby Hopkins
Liberty Manor in Tampa is a place where every day is Veteran’s Day. The facility provides transitional housing for homeless veterans and good or bad, the men that live there are always reminded of their service. Each veteran at Liberty Manor has fallen on hard times with nowhere to go, but at least at the manor they have a roof over their head and assistance in applying for a government pension. Liberty Manor was organized in 2006 as a 501C3 non-profit organization with the objective of promoting the developmental and social needs of veterans who have served our country, fought for our independence but fell victim to homelessness. “It has been determined that individuals who make up the homeless veteran population have exhausted all reasonable alternatives that will address their immediate financial or residential needs,” said Liberty Manor’s CEO, Connie Blaney, “This initiative serves the most deserving yet overlooked individuals of our community, the veterans.”
It has been estimated that an overwhelming number of the homeless population in America are veterans and contrary to the perceptions that the returning veterans are well-supported, many go without the services they need due to a lack of governmental resources as the Veterans Administration does not provide housing for veterans. The mission of Liberty Manor is to provide transitional, supported housing to honorably discharged veterans and establishing long-term objectives designed to attribute to self-sufficiency. “This initiative offers us a great opportunity to pay homage in a significant way to those who have unselfishly answered the call to duty by serving in our United States military,” Blaney said.
Even though Liberty Manor helps many veterans in the community, it is looking to the community for help as well. It is in dire need of air-conditioning equipment consisting of two central units, air handlers and duct work. The home was originally built in 1954 and since Liberty Manor is a relatively new organization, it lacks assets. “Liberty Manor would benefit greatly by having an energy air-conditioning system that has duct work and air handlers that are conducive to the system,” Blaney said. The facility also needs work done to the lanai area and driveway as well. Visit its website at www.libertymanor.org or call Blaney at 900-9422. Liberty Manor is located at 10015 N. 9 St. in Tampa.
