The true character of a nation is measured, in part, by the honor of those who have served it well. United Veterans Beacon House, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Bay Shore, New York, honors those who have served to protect our nation. While most Americans pay homage on Veterans Day each year, the challenges faced by many veterans exist each and every day. As many veterans and their families strive to develop and maintain productive lives, Beacon House provides essential services to assist in the journey toward fruitful independence.

Beacon House provides housing in 52 locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. On any given day, over 550 men, women and children from the tri-state area benefit from programs that address homelessness, physical disabilities, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury, mental health issues and addiction. Non-veterans, too, have access to housing, drug/alcohol addiction services and job skills/readiness development programs.

For those in need of housing, Beacon House places each person or family in a home and program that best supports their individual needs. Of the 50 housing locations, 25 homes are for veterans only – one of which is dedicated exclusively to female veterans.

Non-veteran housing includes four congregate emergency shelters for homeless families and one home for non-veteran females in recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction. The remainder of our housing serves non-veterans.

Along with a safe and structured living environment, residents have access to supportive services, including:
• Case management
• Transportation for medical visits and appointments
• Coordination of all mental and emotional counseling, education and job placement programs and services
• Referrals to appropriate agencies for assistance with entitlements

Within each Beacon House residence, a community spirit is fostered among residents and staff. Indeed, many staff members are former residents, resulting in a compassionate and empathic environment. The goal for each resident is to develop coping skills that facilitate a successful return to independent living. With an 85% success rate and extremely low recidivism, Beacon House provides meaningful assistance to those who are committed to overcoming dire circumstances. The journey home starts with Beacon House