As far as we’re concerned, today is one of the most important days of the year – Veteran’s Day, a day to honor veterans and thank them for their service. They are our family, our friends, and our heroes, and they deserve our gratitude not today, but every day.
Meeting the needs of veterans as they return from fighting overseas is a challenge that many of us hold close to our hearts. After helping our country, servicemen and women often need our help integrating back into the society they fought so hard to protect.
Due to issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, or special health requirements due to injury, regular employment can sometimes be challenging for returning veterans, and with that comes the challenge of stable housing. American Family Housing, has solved this problem in a way that is compassionate, sustainable, and particularly relevant to the transportation industry.
Take a look at these modern, sleek apartments. Anyone would be lucky to have a place in one of these stylish condos. Would you believe that they’re made from recycled shipping containers? The very same ones our industry hauls up and down the highways, day after day.
That’s right – Potter’s Lane, in Orange County, CA, is the first apartment complex made from recycled shipping containers. The idea is to take the glut of unused cargo containers lying idle around ports and shipyards and turn them into useful “cargotecture” that benefits deserving homeless citizens.
The 480-square-foot apartments feature all of the comforts of a modern rental unit, including floor-to-ceiling windows as well as beautiful gardens and common areas. The focus of the program is first getting veterans into homes, where they can then work with caseworkers to find employment, pay bills, and normalize their lives.
While it’s lovely to imagine Potter’s Lane giving a home to every one of the thousands of homeless veterans in the Orange County area, the facility has only 15 units at this time. If you’re looking for a way to honor veterans today, you can support Potter’s Lane with your donation.
How do you honor our servicemen and women? What are your favorite groups or projects working to help veterans adjust to life back home? Let’s spend Veterans’ Day making a difference for those who serve to protect for our way of life.
Thank a Veteran this weekend,
~Bob
