Artist’s rendition of the new center.
Hawthorne Veteran and Family Resource Center is opening in a few days at 250 N. Ash St. with the lights much brighter there for Escondido and North County vets and families.
As one of only five recuperative care providers in the nation certified to work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Interfaith’s Veteran and Family Resource Center is establishing a much needed state of the art facility to care for veterans in the heart of North County. The center also represents the first recuperative care facility in San Diego County to care for homeless female veterans.
Formerly homeless, down and out, veteran Rex Buttrick, 64, gave reporters a center preview tour last week. Interior lighting was “brighter than the lights during the daytime,” Buttrick, outfitted in hard hat and T-shirt said. “They’re really nice. We’re very happy with how it came out. This place was a disaster.”
Buttrick got on his feet thanks to Interfaith Community Services who operates the facility and had a hand in the construction of the $3.2 million, 10,000-square-foot, 32-bed funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs and local hospital partners.
Before renovation
The new facility has a computer room, laundry room and other amenities. Vets coming on board get that hallowed roof, plus nursing care and a social worker. Renovation began in February and continued through summer. However, $650,000 was needed to complete the job, according to Interfaith officials.
“This center provides healing, care and housing for the most hurting homeless individuals in our community,” Interfaith executive director Greg Anglea said to touring reporters. Interfaith Community Services is North County’s largest social services agency and has been “helping people help themselves” since 1979.
The organization provides a wide range of programs designed to empower hungry, homeless, and low-income community members to begin a pathway toward self-sufficiency. Each year, Interfaith Community Services serves more than 19,000 community members by providing basic needs and nutrition support, social services, shelters and housing, employment development, youth programs, senior services, veterans programs and addiction recovery support.
Interfaith Executive Director Greg Anglea knocks down wall at groundbreaking event.
