Submitted by DOUG OTTO
Ocean City’s Squadron 524 Sons of the American Legion is helping give new life to a once vacant campground on Delsea Drive in Franklinville by donating funds to Operation Safe Haven, which builds “micro-houses” for homeless vets.
Pastor Donnie Davis of Amazing Grace Ministries in Williamstown purchased the 277-acre property, including a 65-acre lake, and is building the homes for vets suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome, or PTSD.
The project is personal for Davis, who worked as an honor guard at funerals for fallen service members during his time in the Air Force, and later as a police officer in Maryland. He was diagnosed with Complex PTSD and has struggled, not always knowing where to turn for help.
“It’s one thing to say, ‘Have a good day,’ and pat these vets on the back, but there are 220 guys I know in South Jersey who need a place to stay because they’re homeless,” Davis said.
Each Operation Safe Haven micro-house has a living room, bedroom, full bathroom and kitchenette, all in 300 square feet. The structures come complete with new furnishings, bedding, kitchen supplies and other gear — all offered at no charge to the veteran.
To date, The Operation Safe Haven team has built four micro-houses, with a fifth in process.
“The houses cost $10,500 to make and can be done in 3 days,” Davis explained. “So, as we get money, we’ll keep building them.”
In addition to housing, Operation Safe Haven is working to add service dogs, equine therapy, peer-to-peer counseling, life coaching, physical therapy, yoga sessions, job training and financial planning to its offerings.
“The whole idea is to give these vets a chance to stabilize,” Davis said. “They don’t want handouts, but we are offering a hand.”
Local unions have promised to help with placing interested veterans in apprenticeship programs to start them on their way back to self-support.
“We want to get our vets a good job with real benefits, not a seasonal job,” Davis pointed out.
When asked how the project came about, Davis said: “It’s just faith. Everyone’s coming together and supporting this, and it’s great.”
For information about American Legion Post 524 visit legion524ocnj.org and to learn about Operation Safe Haven, go to opsafehaven.com
