Greensboro group expands homeless outreach for veterans

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) – While the number of people without a permanent roof over their heads grows in Greensboro, one group is expanding its services to help the men and women who served their country.

“They were willing to … make the greatest sacrifice, and some of them have struggles because of it, so we need to be here to support them when they come back,” said Shanna Reece, executive director of the Servant Center.

With the help of the VA, the City of Greensboro and Guilford County, the Servant Center purchased the old Holden Heights nursing home off of Holden Road in Greensboro. After moving to different buildings over the years, this site will be the Servant Center’s final home.

“We’re seeing an older population, and we’re seeing a population with a lot more medical issues, so this is something that is drastically needed in the community,” Reece said.

The four-story building will house the 21 homeless disabled veterans the center currently serves. The building will also be the site of the area’s first medical respite program. Eleven rooms on the third floor will house two veterans recovering from medical procedures. They will then transition to different housing. The patients will mainly be referred to them from Cone Health.

The Servant Center is also forming an advisory board to help solidify parameters for how they will accept new veterans and where they’ll go when they heal.

On top of extra rooms, they’ll also have areas for virtual and in-person meetings, a computer lab and a game room so veterans can connect with each other.

“We are in a housing crisis, and there are so many folks looking for that place,” said Hugh Holston, council member at large for the City of Greensboro.

Holston and Congresswoman Kathy Manning were impressed on a tour of the space by how much potential it has to impact the community.

“Every little bit helps. What we’re finding out with our houseless situation is that it is broad and it is deep. It’s not just one type we’re going to need. We’re going to need all different types,” Holston said.

The Servant Center hopes to be operational in the new building by next spring.

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