The Veterans & Community Housing Coalition held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Foreverly House on June 27.
The home is at 1214 Saratoga Road in the town of Ballston.
A grassroots effort began three years ago to build Foreverly House, a two-family home to provide transitional housing for Armed Services veteran mothers and their children.
Foreverly House will be located next to Guardian House, where the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition (VCHC) provides housing and services for homeless Veteran women.
“Imagine the challenge of being homeless with children after faithful military service to your country. It shouldn’t happen to any veteran, especially to a veteran mom and her children,” the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition said in a statement.
“A single veteran mom returning from service to our country often chooses between giving up custody of her children to receive the support services she needs, or foregoing these essential services while making the transition back to civilian life.”
Without proper support, these women may continue to suffer from PTSD, sexual trauma, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and homelessness, the organization said.
Without funding from state or federal agency resources, Foreverly House will become a reality because of the generosity of major donors such as Business For Good, Stewart’s, The Saratoga Foundation, IUE-CWA Housing Corp., the American Legion, and the South Glens Falls High Marathon Dance, as well as donations from dozens of other businesses and hundreds of individuals.
Trinity Building and Construction Management Corp. is donating its services as the general contractor for the project. Several subcontractors and area suppliers are also generously donating or discounting their services or products.
VCHC hopes to complete the project and move the first Veteran Moms and their kids into Foreverly House in November.