25 August, 2017
Event celebrates opening of first-of-its kind treatment facility in the United States
Shrewsbury, MA – In a pivotal moment in the 25-year history of providing services to veterans and their families, Veterans Inc. celebrated the opening of Independence Hall, the first veteran-specific, licensed treatment center for addiction recovery. Located in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, the center is considered the first of its kind in the country to be operated by a community non-profit veterans’ organization.
Flanked by Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, State Senator Michael Moore, State Representative Hannah Kane, District Attorney Joe Early, and Sherriff Lew Evangelidis, Denis Leary, Executive Director, and Vincent Perrone, President/CEO, cut the ribbon to their newly-renovated facility, situated on 22 bucolic acres. Witnessed by 125 supportive staff members, other health providers from across the state, and invited guests from the community, the event celebrated the successful completion of a $2 million upgrade to the complex. The center includes 70 beds for both intensive residential intervention and follow-up clinical transition, as well as Day Treatment Programs and therapeutic Outpatient Services.
“This truly is a watershed moment, not only for our agency, but for veterans and their families throughout New England” said Leary. “2016 marked the tipping point in the opiate epidemic when opiate overdose became the leading cause of death for anyone in our country under the age of 50, and Independence Hall will help to end that epidemic and help lead veterans into healthy recovery.”
“We owe so much to our returning military veterans for the sacrifices they have made for our Commonwealth and the nation, and we are proud Massachusetts is a national leader in veteran benefits,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Governor Baker and I applaud the efforts of Veterans Inc. in providing services to our brave men and women and their families, especially as you join the battle against addiction and the opioid crisis with the opening of Independence Hall.”
“As a Nation, and a Commonwealth, we have a duty to embrace veterans when they return, and to provide the care and services they need,” said State Senator Michael Moore. “This new site will enable Veterans, Inc. to provide much-needed, and potentially life-saving, substance abuse treatment programs for veterans in our community. I am proud to have supported funding in the state budget to help bring this project to fruition.”
“The nature of Veterans Inc., and the success of their caring organization, is that they see each veteran as an individual and their goal is to support them one step at a time. I am grateful for their leadership in helping our American patriots battle and recover from substance abuse and addiction,” stated State Representative Hannah Kane.
"With so much focus on trying to solve the current opioid epidemic who better to help than those who have served our country. This center will help our veterans who are struggling with addiction receive the treatment and services they need. Thank you to Veteran's Inc for their dedication and commitment to our veterans and leading the way in their recovery," said Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis.
“Veterans Inc. is proud to be the first on the scene to offer this type of clinical treatment delivered with an expert focus on veterans’ culture” said Perrone. “Veterans represent a disproportionate share of the opiate dependent population, and we are dedicated to bringing that to an end.”
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ABOUT VETERANS INC.
Veterans Inc. is New England’s leading provider of support services to veterans and their families. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, the organization’s single-minded mission is to be there for our veterans in their time of need. Incorporated in 1990, Veterans Inc. has helped more than 65,000 veterans in need and today operates offices and programs in all six New England states. The support services include housing programs, counseling, employment and training, family programs, benefits counseling and advocacy, transportation, temporary financial assistance, health and wellness, food services, and women and childcare services.
