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Construction begins on new center for veterans

Posted at 6:30 PM, May 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-30 18:30:29-04

Hundreds gathered to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and celebrate the groundbreaking of a new center dedicated to helping vets.

The new center will be called The Pentagon.

“It’s our job to take care of the men and women who have taken care of this great nation,” said Tyrone Chapman, CEO of Michigan Veterans Foundation.  “We will be able to take care of more veterans.  We will be able to control our operating costs and use more of our dollars toward resources and see to it that the men and women who serve this country get the services they need.”

Tadzia Stanley served as a mechanic in the Army in the 90s. After that, she moved to Michigan. She later lost her job and became homeless.

She told 7 Action News through the foundation, she was able to get back on her feet.

“The VA Hospital told me about this program. I went,” said Stanley.  “They said we don’t really house women.  They opened up their doors for me, provided schooling and now I’m working.”

Grateful and thankful, Tazia is excited about what this new facility will do for so many others like her.

“A lot of the jobs that you acquire in the military are not transferable skills to the civilian world or, then, if you get stressed out due to mental disorders, due to the stress of war that makes it even hard,” said Stanley.  “And a lot of times when we come out, we don’t come back to families. Our families have disbanded, some of them have passed while we are serving.”

The new facility is expected to be up and running by the end of 2016.