Local Veteran Advocating for New Homeless Shelter

A local veteran is turning to the Muskingum County Commissioners for support in his new venture to stop veteran homelessness.

Lester Abele, of Veteran’s First, met with the commissioners Monday to discuss receiving administrative funding for a homeless shelter in southeastern Ohio. He also asked for a letter of recommendation to bring to the federal level to apply for grant money, to further his project. Abele said he hopes to improve the lifestyle of veterans, and help get them back on their feet.

“Get them their benefits, get them their health and well-being, get them their job training, that’s very important, their vocational rehabilitation portion of the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, give them a purpose of life, and that’s the goal to give them purpose of life to make them feel more like a member to be back in society again and to have a stabilized lifestyle,” Abele said.

He said a shelter location is still in the works, but is considering the old Ohio District Council Nursing Home on East Pike. He said a permanent location will depend on the total amount of federal funding granted.

“The two commissioners that were present were very receptive, there were some good question and answer sessions after my presentation was put together, and there’s a possibility of some small funding to help us with administrative cost that they are considering, there is a fund available where they know where the money could potentially come from to assist us and then the letter of support which would be a tremendous assistance to help us continue our cause,” Abele said.

If Abele receives a letter of recommendation from the county, he said his next plan is to partner with MCBI and apply for federal grants to purchase property for a long-term shelter.