Penfield Approves Home for Veterans
By: Cierra Putman
Updated: May 2, 2012
Warrior Salute is back on track in Penfield. The group is opening a transitional home for veterans battling PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. However, it was in limbo after neighbors voiced concern.
"We're relieved now we can move ahead and do the work that is really needed," President/CEO CDS Monarch Sankar Sewnauth said.
"It felt like a wave washed over and it felt like a huge step forward," Warrior Salute Graduate Christopher Johnson said. "As a community that's a huge step forward."
Some worried the house was too close to a school and shouldn't be in a residential area, but after learning more, many have had a change of heart.
Which prompted the Penfield Board of Appeals to vote unanimously in favor of the home
The Warrior Salute Program helps veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
Johnson is an Army veteran who battled depression, memory loss and anxiety.
"PTSD is definitely something that is not really talked about," Johnson said. "The invisible scar wounds that I call it, but it effects everyone."
Johnson reached out to the Rochester Christian School, one of the groups who first brought up concerns.
The school now welcomes the vets, but some are still worried.
"That's a poor location next to the school," Bob Hiler said. "Kids are here all day."
Hiler lives across the street from the Nucor House. He's a veteran who wants fellow vets to succeed, but he's concerned about the location.
"I hope it works," Hiler said. "I hope it works, but if there's a problem with someone going haywire that could be a problem."
"What we want to do is engage these neighbors and say be a part of the home, be a welcoming neighbor," Sewnauth said. "You're going to find that these men are so giving and caring that you don't have anything to worry about."
Warrior Salute was put behind schedule because of the delayed vote from the zoning board.
However, the program expects to move veterans in by July 10th.
"We're relieved now we can move ahead and do the work that is really needed," President/CEO CDS Monarch Sankar Sewnauth said.
"It felt like a wave washed over and it felt like a huge step forward," Warrior Salute Graduate Christopher Johnson said. "As a community that's a huge step forward."
Some worried the house was too close to a school and shouldn't be in a residential area, but after learning more, many have had a change of heart.
Which prompted the Penfield Board of Appeals to vote unanimously in favor of the home
The Warrior Salute Program helps veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
Johnson is an Army veteran who battled depression, memory loss and anxiety.
"PTSD is definitely something that is not really talked about," Johnson said. "The invisible scar wounds that I call it, but it effects everyone."
Johnson reached out to the Rochester Christian School, one of the groups who first brought up concerns.
The school now welcomes the vets, but some are still worried.
"That's a poor location next to the school," Bob Hiler said. "Kids are here all day."
Hiler lives across the street from the Nucor House. He's a veteran who wants fellow vets to succeed, but he's concerned about the location.
"I hope it works," Hiler said. "I hope it works, but if there's a problem with someone going haywire that could be a problem."
"What we want to do is engage these neighbors and say be a part of the home, be a welcoming neighbor," Sewnauth said. "You're going to find that these men are so giving and caring that you don't have anything to worry about."
Warrior Salute was put behind schedule because of the delayed vote from the zoning board.
However, the program expects to move veterans in by July 10th.
