New resource center to give veterans hope

Veterans face a lot when they return home. A new life, new surroundings -- a whole new world it seems at times. It is even worse when they return with physical injuries received while serving and trauma of the silent type, those psychological aftershocks that suddenly appear after they have returned home.
For Ruth Moore, the journey has been a long and arduous one but is now coming to a transition point that she has dreamed about for a long time. She served in the U.S. Navy and is a survivor of military sexual trauma (MST). Moore has invested a vast amount of time and dedication for her pleas and singular voice to be heard by others. Her perseverance paid off.
"Yes, I was the 5'1" spitfire that stared U.S. Senator Harry Reid down and demanded he do something for the veterans of this country." Moore shares. The moniker "spitfire" came from a Reid office staffer at the time Moore was canvasing Washington in support of a MST bill with her name attached. The Ruth Moore Act, which passed the House of Representatives in 2015 and is currently with the Senate, will allow survivors to receive proper adjudication for MST and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Being a disabled veteran herself, Moore reflects on her journey. "When I tried to get help I ran into every roadblock imaginable. I was homeless for a few weeks, and I had to fight for 27 years to get my benefits and the help I needed. And I realized all across the nation veterans were experiencing the same obstacles I did," she says.
Moore is now involved in providing a place where veterans can come and get the help they need. Internity, an organization founded by Moore in 2012 and based in Milbridge, will open a veterans resource and wellness center in Machias sometime in early 2017. The name refers to the natural and innate need to work together. Moore says, "We are all interconnected in our humanity, and I realized I needed to do something bigger to make sure our veterans have a voice. None of the other advocacy groups for veterans work with them after the crisis, and so we look to do just that. We help veterans rebuild their lives." To date, the organization has assisted 21,400 veterans.
Initially the plan was to place the center in Ellsworth, but facing multiple obstacles there Moore and her group purchased a vacant house adjacent to the University of Maine at Machias (UMM). Plans are already in motion to completely renovate the structure. The first floor will house two offices, a conference room and a working business center for veterans to share and possibly cultivate their own businesses. "Many veterans gravitate towards home‑based businesses, and this will give them a place to learn and grow a business if they choose to do that," Moore says. The facility will also provide support services such as counseling, advocacy for benefits and how to access them and a social environment that directly supports each veteran.
The second and third floor areas will generate the money needed to support the day‑to‑day facility expenses. Dorm-style rooms with a centrally located kitchen and bathroom will be created to accommodate social work and psychology majors from UMM. Moore believes they will be able to provide cost-effective living quarters for the students and valuable internships working directly with veterans in both the center and a future on‑site homeless shelter.
The garage on the property will eventually be converted into a shelter for homeless veterans. "We plan to create accommodations based on the open berthing the Navy uses on ships." Two large rooms will be created, one for men, the other for women, and it will have a centrally located kitchen and bathroom facility separating the sleeping areas. Outside, the plan for renewal and utilizing available materials will result in the formation of vegetable and flower gardens. Future plans call for the addition of a family based area to the existing structure to accommodate veterans with children.
Moore says, "In the State of Maine there are approximately 120,000 veterans. Of those, approximately 69,000 do not have access to benefits. Why? There are a number of reasons. The first is the sheer size of the state and second is legislation is in continual change and veterans cannot keep up. Lastly, what we are finding is veterans do not trust the system. This is why we have 54% getting the services they need and the other 46% not getting the benefits or support. That simply is not right."
Current House Representative Joyce Maker, who ran for the State Senate and recently visited with Moore says, "I am excited about yet another possibility for Washington County veterans. Ruth's organization has been working to help disabled veterans get services, provide emergency relief and provide behavioral work for veterans who have hidden disabilities or are survivors of MST. This will be an expansion of their efforts.
Pointing to a small tree growing from the home's roof edge, Moore says, "That tree there is the epitome of hope and, like our veterans, can be placed anywhere and survive. The tree will be saved and relocated to the garden area and will continue to be a symbol of hope for this center and for all veterans."