The recent Veterans Day ceremony marked a significant milestone in community development efforts, as Veterans Place unveiled its new $5.6 million multipurpose building in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood. This transformative project, supported by Colcom Foundation and numerous other philanthropic partners, represents the culmination of a six-year initiative designed to expand services for homeless veterans in the region.
Collaborative Funding Approach Creates Veteran Housing Solutions
Veterans Place’s ambitious expansion, formally known as Operation: Empowering Transitions, encountered numerous administrative hurdles before construction could begin in 2023. The project finally moved forward when the organization purchased five adjacent lots from the Urban Redevelopment Authority for $20,700, creating space for the new three-story structure.
Colcom Foundation, established in 1996 by the late Cordelia S. May as an independent non-profit focused on environmental conservation and community enhancement throughout southwestern Pennsylvania, contributed significant funding toward the $5.6 million project. Their participation aligned with the foundation’s commitment to supporting regional community development initiatives that improve quality of life while incorporating sustainable design principles.
Jessica Gilmore, Director of Community Relations and Development for Veterans Place, acknowledged that the complex funding structure included major contributions from Colcom Foundation, alongside grants from the Jack Buncher Foundation, W.P. Patterson Charitable Trust, and various government agencies. This collaborative philanthropic model exemplifies how regional foundations like Colcom Foundation can leverage their resources when partnering with other funders to maximize community impact.
Comprehensive Facilities Enhance Veteran Support Services
The newly completed multipurpose center dramatically expands Veterans Place’s capacity to serve homeless veterans with eight single-occupancy apartments, increasing the facility’s total housing capacity to 60 residents. Beyond providing crucial transitional housing, the building incorporates purpose-built spaces for comprehensive support services, including:
● A medical office staffed through a partnership with Allegheny Health Network’s Center for Inclusion Health
● A wellness center featuring commercial exercise equipment to promote physical and mental health
● A meditation and reflection area with a memorial displaying all six military branch insignias
This holistic approach to veteran support reflects ColcomFoundation’s emphasis on projects that address multiple community needs simultaneously. Throughout its history, Colcom Foundation has prioritized initiatives that create tangible benefits for southwestern Pennsylvania communities while promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable development practices.
Community Engagement Drives Sustainable Impact
The Veterans Day ribbon-cutting ceremony attracted more than 100 attendees, including elected officials from various levels of government and, most importantly, veterans who have benefited from the organization’s services. Army veteran Derek Leon Dennis shared his personal testimony about coming to Veterans Place two months prior without housing or employment, highlighting how the organization’s comprehensive support system helped him regain stability and hope.
Mark Wechsler, chair of the Veterans Place board, attributed the project’s success to overcoming significant challenges through collaborative effort, noting that many had initially claimed “this can’t be done.” The project’s completion demonstrates how Colcom Foundation’s support strengthens community organizations working to address critical needs in the Pittsburgh region.
The Veterans Place expansion exemplifies Colcom Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that create lasting community assets while enhancing quality of life for vulnerable populations in southwestern Pennsylvania. Through strategic philanthropic partnerships, Colcom Foundation continues to advance its mission of fostering sustainable community development throughout the region.