Polk Township supervisors approve veteran's center

Aug. 22--The proposed Major Paul Syverson Veterans Sanctuary has the support of veterans, volunteers and even state legislators.

On Wednesday, Polk Township supervisors gave their approval to the project that will serve as a sanctuary and rehabilitation center for veterans.

The supervisors voted 3-0 in favor of a nonprofit's plan to turn the former Hotel Jonas into a live-in rehabilitation center for homeless veterans.

The proposed center, located at Route 534 and Jonas Road, will house 13 veterans as they go through a 90-day program of life skills and career training, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. The project is being undertaken by the nonprofit VALOR Clinic Foundation.

"The mission of the VALOR clinic is to provide assistance by accessing benefits and shelter to veterans with limited or no access to care," the project's engineer Doug Olmstead said.

VALOR was founded by Mark Baylis, a retired 20-year Army veteran who is known for doing outreach with homeless veterans in Monroe County and elsewhere.

Volunteers have been undertaking many projects at the property for months. But Baylis said the approval means they can get to work on some projects that require building permits in anticipation of the shelter's opening on Oct. 1.

"It's a big milestone. That process is finished now, thank goodness. We're still going for Oct. 1.," Baylis said.

One of the property's neighbors said she was excited about the good the facility will do for veterans.

"I've seen the amount of help they give veterans. I live four doors down and I'm totally in favor of it," Jolen Roseberry said.

Supervisor Nancy May choked up as she thanked Baylis for helping homeless vets in the community.

"To have some of these people that we already know find a place to live, find a purpose for being, I'm 100 percent behind this," she said.

The supervisors' approval did come with some conditions -- including limiting the number of residents to 13 and prohibiting any drug treatment in the facility.

Baylis explained prior to the approval that the facility will not accept homeless veterans who are convicted felons or have a recent history of substance abuse.

He assured the board that if a resident was found to have a drug problem, VALOR would take him or her to a veterans administration drug treatment facility in Coatesville.

"That is a monster of its own, and it's not one we are prepared for," he said.

Neighbor Linda Snyder said she wasn't opposed to VALOR's mission, but said she would like to see the property remain commercial. VALOR bought the century-old Hotel Jonas, which was in bankruptcy after closing its doors for the last time in June 2013.

VALOR received a $200,000 grant from state gambling funds earlier this year to purchase the property.

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