As you all know by now I’m involved with volunteering help with Veterans issues here in Howard County, Maryland.  Most specifically I work in helping Vets get their due VA and Social Security benefits and in getting homeless Vets into short term emergency and transitional housing.

I just received an email pointing out that there is a very effective group in the Pittsburgh area that does this for local Veterans – it is called “Veterans Place of Washington Blvd”  and here is their mission statement:

Veterans Place is dedicated to ending homelessness among veterans in the Pittsburgh region. We offer homeless veterans a safe, supportive and regenerative environment as they gain the necessary skills to face real life challenges, secure permanent housing and lead productive and self-sufficient lives.

I called over there and discussed the details of their various programs and have to say I came away impressed with their approach to problem solving. They claim high success rates: 91% of every dollar goes to the missions, 87% of the Vets get employment and/or receive permanent pension or disability payments and they have a 77% overall success rate.

One interesting thing to note that their transitional housing is in ” supportive and sober living environment that can accommodate 48 homeless veterans for up to a 24-month stay in one of our 13 townhouses on Washington Boulevard.”  I have found this to be a key ingredient of success in these specific areas of help.

So – if you find an extra few dollars in you pocket or have some hours to fill volunteering for a great cause then this looks like a good place for that. I find it rewarding, educational and many time just plain fun…

Thanks for reading this….

Reed

 

It looks like Pat Narduzzi isn’t real happy with the depth at QB for 2018.  Here is the Post-Gazette article on JUCO QB Tyler Zelinski:

Pitt may have found its quarterback of the future in Kenny Pickett, but that doesn’t mean depth isn’t necessary.

Tyler Zelinski, of Erie Community College, has accepted a preferred walk-on spot with the Panthers for next season, he said Sunday afternoon. Zelinski, listed at 6 feet 4, 200 pounds, threw for 1,756 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in nine games this year as a redshirt freshman. A native of Medina, Ohio, Zelinski starred at Medina Highland High School as a senior in 2016, then began his college career at Division II Ashland University.

Safety Jordan Whitehead took off also…