Warren County takes care of its own by way of The Allegheny Valley Veterans Center, a veterans organization located in Clarendon offering homeless and unstably housed veterans transitional housing. Support and work opportunities are provided to the heroes who have earned our effort through their sacrifice.

Tom Eaton is the president of the board of directors, which includes 11 members – five of whom are veterans. The center, housed in the old Allegheny Valley Elementary School in Clarendon, is privately funded by way of grant writing and many donations from generous members of the community at large, including some philanthropists. Eaton was in Desert Storm and is now totally disabled, having suffered from gas exposure. He was a firefighter in the war, and by trade a plumber. The center is Eaton’s way of giving back. Michael Mclachlan, administrator and retired Air Force Master Sergeant, was in Iraqi Freedom.

The 86,000 square foot building is a unique center for outreach and support because it is not related to the government and it has mainly veterans occupying, working or volunteering there. This makes it a more welcoming atmosphere for those that are blessed to be a part of it. In Erie, Pa., there are many homeless veterans on 12th Street that have been brought in, but the center reaches beyond Pennsylvanians. Through referrals and outreach, the center has housed homeless veterans from places such as Florida, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia and New York.

Being homeless is one thing but being a homeless veteran is a whole other thing, especially in the pride factor, although many veterans tend to be of a humble nature.

The sign welcoming veterans to the Allegheny Valley Veterans Center is pictured.

When veterans arrive at the center, discussions are held in what they call the “War Room” discussion table. Eaton and Mclachlan talk with the veterans about how they got there and help find a way to get them out,

“We help a lot of the veterans that fall through the cracks,” says Eaton. “We have a service officer, a retired veteran, Julie, who helps get them whatever they need, be it social security card, birth certificate, driver’s license, anything.”

Eaton, also newly reelected Clarendon mayor, said the building sat empty for five years. Eaton attended more than 40 school board meetings until it was sold. Within a week, by way of the members of the VFW, the entire amount of cash was collected and taken to buy the building.

With the first room paid for by Eaton himself, a big donor made the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday one to never forget by donating the funds to complete the rest of the hall upstairs. Through donations, now a total of 32 rooms are completed in the upstairs of the former school building; fully equipped with computers in the communal rooms, televisions and more. There are no TVs in the individual bedrooms so as to encourage the veterans to be communal (think PTSD); and administrator Mike Mclachlan likes to see the residents daily.

The second floor houses all male veterans on that floor, while downstairs there is a private and secure space for five families as well as an area for just women. The family apartments are all inclusive with two bedrooms, a full kitchen and living space and full bathroom. Families also come into a fully furnished place with food in the cupboards as well.

In all, 17 classrooms have been converted into rooms of all types: bedrooms, apartments and common areas. The handicapped-accessible space sits on 15 acres, meaning more room for expansion is available. The center houses the borough office, the Veterans Council of Warren, the Civil Air patrol, a notary and an insurance agent.

When Blair company closed, 600 pairs of shoes and a large closet full of men’s clothing were donated. The downstairs also has a donation room full of many things from housewares and furniture to wheelchairs. A van has been donated to assist veterans to places they need to go. Jessica Flasher of Cutting Edge Graffix in Pittsfield donated the vinyl design on the van.

The center has a kitchen which is getting ready for the community Thanksgiving dinner to be held for its first time at AVVC on Nov. 27. There is a high expectation of turnout this year, as community volunteers are talking about putting their time into the event.

The Veterans Council of Warren pays for a catered Christmas Eve dinner held at the center for the residents. Council members have gone to each person to ask what they needed and bought and wrapped gifts for each veteran housed there, with plans to do this again this year.

The school’s old locker rooms have been converted into storage units, which are heated and climate controlled, for anyone to rent for $100 monthly. There are seven storage units in a hallway along with a security camera and key codes on each door of the units.

No smoking is allowed inside the Allegheny Valley Veterans Center, but outdoors there is a heated smoke shanty within the pavilion along with deer feeders and a fire pit.

Eaton says while it’s been a hard road, it’s all worth it and they were able to crush their first five-year goal. Eaton is optimistic that the next five-year goal will be met. An endowment has been set up.

Fundraising events occur frequently from Battle of the Band at the local VFW; but donations from mom-and-pop shops and everyday people are the most treasured. The first annual Vets Fest took place this year with local churches and organizations, and vendors we involved, included a car show.

Eaton and his crew are always busy and always thinking of new ideas and projects. Right now, they are in the process of making eight identical apartments with two bedrooms each, complete with ADA bathrooms, and kitchen/living space. These will be affordable housing rentals with utilities included and available for any low-income individuals or families. The residual rent will help pay the bills of the building.

The recreation room at the Allegheny Valley Veterans Center is pictured.

The outdoor pavilion at the Allegheny Valley Veterans Center is pictured.

An eagle painting by a girl with Asperger’s is pictured.

Tom Eaton, Allegheny Valley Veterans Center board president, is pictured near storage units available for rent inside the Allegheny Valley Veterans Center.