unitedveterans

JPMORGAN CHASE INVESTS $100,000 IN EMERGENCY AID TO LI VETS GROUP: United Veterans Beacon House averts crisis in sanitization, supplies, and support for its homeless shelters

View News 12 Story Here

BAY SHORE, NY- Just three days after its appeal for emergency assistance, United Veterans Beacon House (UVBH) received the inspiring news that JPMorgan Chase would contribute $100,000 in immediate aid to help avert a Coronavirus-related crisis at its shelters for homeless veterans.

“We had a phone conversation with local JPMorgan Chase officials about the crisis facing our veterans, and three days later they called to tell us that the bank was coming through with emergency funding – $100,000. I’m still in shock,” says UVBH president and CEO Frank Amalfitano. “The words ‘Thank you’ just seem so small.”

The veterans’ group is facing serious impacts – not only of supplies in its homeless shelters, like cleaning supplies and paper products — but also in staffing, food supplies, transportation to and from medical appointments, and other essential supports for the vulnerable population it serves.

Beacon House is establishing an emergency fund. The “Beacon House ‘Brighten our Light’ Emergency Fund for Veterans” is an appeal that will be unveiled on the uvbh.org web site this week. JPMorgan Chase is the marquis sponsor for the fund.

The bank’s donation will enable Beacon House to address the immediate need for ongoing sanitization of Beacon House facilities, including its 47 residences, headquarters and food pantry, to address the new reality and sanitary standards of home and work environments.

“Let this serve as a shining example of how good-hearted people and a major corporation can nimbly and generously respond to those in need under the most difficult circumstances,” says Mr. Amalfitano

About United Veterans Beacon House
Since 1994, United Veterans Beacon House (a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit) has provided a safe haven to Veterans and their families. Over 24,000 individuals have benefitted from housing and specialized support services to those in need. Providing a fresh start and an opportunity for growth to those who have bravely served our country, Beacon House manages 47 residential programs throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. Services include health care, job training and placement, and assistance with linkage to well-earned financial benefits. The organization’s mission is to help veterans regain their self-worth and empower them with the tools necessary to rejoin the community as independent and productive citizens. For more information, please visit www.uvbh.com.

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.7 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

Media Contacts:
Tina Sferrazza, United Veterans Beacon House
tina@uvbh.com ; 646.243.3240

Carolyn Evert, JPMorgan Chase
Carolyn.Evert@chase.com ; 617.223.9224

Following a two-year shuttering, the renovated 44-bed facility will once again provide Long Island’s homeless veterans with emergency services.

Bay Shore, NY – The US Department of Veterans Affairs’ only shelter for homeless veterans on Long Island is expected to resume operations on April 1, 2020, following a two-year shuttering due initially to issues related to the facility’s HVAC system.

Last week, United Veterans Beacon House (UVBH), a Bay Shore-based non-profit providing housing and programming services to veterans, was notified by the US Department of Veterans Affairs that it was awarded the contract for Residential Housing Services at the Northport VA Medical Center (VAMC) as part of the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program.

Prior to the shuttering, Beacon House had successfully operated the shelter, and invested over $250,000 in improvements to the facility, including renovations to kitchens and bathrooms, and the creation of a computer resource room.

The re-opening was delayed due to compliance issues with updated building codes, such as the fire suppression system. Once those issues were resolved, the Northport VAMC rebid the operating contract.

“We are anxious to get back to Northport to resume our work there,” says Frank Amalfitano, CEO of UVBH. “While we effectively provided shelter alternatives to homeless verterans during these last two years, the Northport VA site uniquely provides a nexus for shelter and medical services for our most vulnerable constituency: veterans living on the street in need of both shelter and medical assistance.”

Long Island’s congressional delegation – Reps. Peter King, Kathleen Rice, Tom Suozzi and Lee Zeldin – offered great bipartisan support for the reopening of the facility.

As was widely reported at the time in local media, all four of Long Island’s members of Congress signed a letter addressed to VA officials, dated May 2017, in which they urged a timely reopening of the facility.

It is expected that Beacon House will resume operations at the Northport VA Building 11 by April 1, 2020. The contract runs through March 21, 2025, and will include case management, housing support, and benefits assistance. The average length of stay will be 60 to 90 days with transition to permanent housing placement in the community based on individual needs.

Click to View Article in Newsday

Tuesday November 12, 2019 was a special day for one deserving veteran and his family. US Marine Combat Veteran Sean, and his wife Nicole, were beaming with excitement on Tuesday as they walked through the brand new, ranch style home in Medford. Finally, each of their three children will have a room to call their own, while the energy efficient home will keep everyone warm through winter.

Beacon House CEO Frank Amalfitano and board member John Yancigay were joined by NYS Assemblyman Steve Stern, State Senator Phil Boyle, County Legislator Susan Berland and community partner United Way of Long Island’s President & CEO Theresa A. Regnante. Also in attendance were Tom Ronayne, director of Suffolk County Veterans Services and [find out the name of the guy who drove all the way from Albany just to attend the event], and other representatives of Suffolk County and NYS whose agencies provided funding and assistance.

“It’s been a bumpy road for me and my family – but we never gave up,” said Sean, the US Marine Combat Veteran. “We cannot wait to move in. The kids are going to get their own rooms. My wife and I are going to have a place to call home. It’s been a long time coming.”

The four-bedroom, handicap-accessible single-family home was built on a plot of land donated by Suffolk County to United Veterans Beacon House. United Way of Long Island – including veteran students from the organization’s VetsBuild program – was chosen to construct the home.

“For Sean and his family this means having low monthly home maintenance costs, allowing them to pay for life’s necessities, like food and medicine, as well as further provide for their children,” stated Theresa A. Regnante, President & CEO of United Way of Long Island.

The home is located in a residential area, close to shopping and public transportation. Featuring a living room, eat-in-kitchen, and laundry, all plumbing, electric and HVAC is high quality, with efficient systems. The home conforms to the standards of EPA ENERGY STAR New Homes version 3.0.

“This house represents the future for Beacon House – permanent housing for once-homeless veterans and veteran families,” said Frank Amalfitano. “As an agency, we recognize the beneficial impacts permanent housing has on those who’ve endured chaotic life situations, particularly for families.”

Beacon House was chosen as one of three local recipient organizations related to the Housing our Homeless Heroes Act, sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Stern and signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo – along with subsequent legislative initiatives passed by the Suffolk County Legislature, and supported by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. Called “Maximizing Access to Available Housing,” these initiatives include the transference of county assets – in this case, real property – to non-profit organizations for redevelopment as veterans housing. Under program guidelines, no more than 30 percent of the occupant’s gross income can be paid toward rent.

New York State’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, administered through the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, provided funding for the demolition and construction of the new home.

United Veterans Beacon House Receives Funding and Leadership Resources as Part of Bank’s Neighborhood Builders® Program

Bay Shore, New York – United Veterans Beacon House has been named one of the 2019 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® awardees for Long Island. The Bay Shore-headquartered veterans agency is one of two non-profits selected for its work in the Long Island area to address issues fundamental to economic mobility, specifically housing for veteran and nonveteran communities, and services and support for families and people with developmental disabilities.

As an awardee, United Veterans Beacon House receives a $200,000 grant, a year of leadership training for its executive director and an emerging leader at the organization, a network of peer organizations across the U.S., and the opportunity to access capital to expand its impact. The invitation-only program is highly competitive, and leading members of the community participated in a collaborative selection process to identify this year’s awardees. “I am grateful and privileged– on behalf of United Veterans Beacon House – to accept the Neighborhood Builders award from Bank of America,” said Frank Amalfitano, president and CEO of United Veterans Beacon House. “This generous recognition of our work in support of veterans will go a long way in helping us to provide meaningful aid to those who’ve served our nation. Lighting the way toward a brighter future for veterans is what we do; Bank of America is a true and determined partner in that forever effort, and we are so thrilled that they have chosen us – as there are many worthy organizations – to work beside us in this cause.” United Veterans Beacon House collaborates with other organizations to assist the veteran and homeless populations on Long Island. Some of the vital services Beacon House provides include supportive housing, emergency shelters, case management, transportation, and counseling. Beacon House provides nonveterans with housing services as well.

“Through the Neighborhood Builders Program, nonprofits have the power to grow strategically and have a precise impact on issues that uniquely face the Long Island community. Long Island is home to a large veteran population, and we’re proud to award our friends at United Veterans Beacon House support for their work helping veterans and nonveterans” said Bob Isaksen, Long Island Market President, Bank of America.

Since 2005, through its Neighborhood Builders program, Bank of America has partnered with 14 nonprofits on Long Island, investing over $5.5 million dollars to provide financial education and economic mobility opportunities in local communities. Examples of the leadership training topics include human capital management, increasing financial sustainability, and storytelling.

Neighborhood Builders is just one example of how Bank of America deploys capital in communities, builds cross-sector partnerships, and promotes socioeconomic progress as part of its approach to responsible growth.

Note: Life’s WORC is the other Long Island non-profit named one of Bank of America Neighborhood Builders® awardee.

United Veterans Beacon House
Since 1994, United Veterans Beacon House (a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit) has provided a safe haven to Veterans and their families. Over 24,000 individuals have benefitted from housing and specialized support services to those in need. Providing a fresh start and an opportunity for growth to those who have bravely served our country, Beacon House manages 47 residential programs throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. Services include health care, job training and placement, and assistance with linkage to well-earned financial benefits. The organization’s mission is to help veterans regain their self-worth and empower them with the tools necessary to rejoin their community as independent and productive citizens. For more information, please visit www.uvbh.com.

Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).

Reporters May Contact:
Tina Sferrazza, 646.243.3240
tina@uvbh.com

Tuesday, July 2nd, we kicked off 4th of July week with the United Veterans Beacon House Annual Independence Day BBQ. More than 100 people gathered together to enjoy an afternoon of great food and fun in celebration of the veterans we serve.

There were Beacon House supporters on hand to share in the festivities, including local elected officials, board trustees, community partners, supporters, and staff members. We were honored to have the very talented Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi on hand to entertain our veterans singing classics like “take a load off Annie” and “horse with no name.” It was beautiful to see so many community members on hand to help serve, chat with, and support the men and women in our programs. Together we served over 75 veteran residents and several community members in need.