Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, Inc.

We are one of nine regional Veterans Outreach Centers in Massachusetts dedicated to providing the highest quality of services to assist, support and advocate for Veterans and their families. The history of the Center is one of dynamic growth.

1985-1993: The Early Years

Located in a storefront on Essex Street in Lawrence, the Center's reputation grew as a place of support and comradeship for Veterans throughout Lawrence and the greater Merrimack Valley.

1993: Center Moves to Haverhill

By the early '90s the agency moved its headquarters to downtown Haverhill to provide a more central location within the Merrimack Valley and increase its accessibility to Veterans.

1994: Center Sponsors the Moving Wall

The Moving Wall offered residents throughout the Merrimack Valley the opportunity to see a replica of the Vietnam War Memorial at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill. For thousands of Merrimack Valley Veterans and their families, it was an extraordinary time to come together, grieve, share experiences and remember. The Center now sponsors a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony each March.

1997: Center Establishes the Veterans Mansion

Recognizing that nationally, Veterans reflect one-quarter of all homeless individuals, and that locally this was a growing issue, the Board of Directors initiated the purchase, renovation, and opening of The Veterans Mansion. As a transitional housing program designed to move area Veterans from homelessness back to mainstream society, the Center played a key role in successfully advocating for a VA Health Clinic, which opened at Hale Hospital in September 1998.

1999: Center Broadens Services

Thanks to the Massachusetts Veterans of Foreign Wars' generous gift of a new seven-passenger van, the Center established the Vets Van Service to transport area Veterans to their medical appointments. This year also marked the birth of a Community Food Pantry and a Clothing Distribution Center. These and other initiatives have allowed us to reach out to a larger community.

Also this year, the Center affiliated with Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a work site for the VA/Comprehensive Work Therapy program to provide jobs and training for area Veterans. To cap off the year, the agency completed an addition to the Veterans Mansion building, opening up an additional living space for residents.

2000: Center Continues to Grow

The year 2000 was filled with many changes. We established a Veterans Community Food Pantry and a Veterans Clothing Center at the Veterans Mansion. We also transformed the former St. Rita's Church property into a work-training site (which we officially purchased in 2001 and christened the Veterans Campus).

2001: Center Awarded Contract from US Dept. of Labor

In August, 2001, we established "VetWorks", after being awarded a contract from the US Dept. of Labor to provide assistance to area Veterans seeking employment and training opportunities. VetWorks identifies Veterans in need of these services and employers seeking qualified applicants for positions in their companies.

2002 and Beyond: New Initiatives

The Veterans Campus, which opened in the Fall of 2001, is a multi-service center for area Veterans. Located at the former site of the St. Rita's Church, the Veterans Campus is now home to an expanded Outreach Center, VetWorks employment assistance and placement service, community food pantry and space for community groups. The former convent and rectory buildings are now home for up to 25 formerly homeless Veterans. Construction of a 10 single bedroom apartment building for homeless disabled Veterans at the Veterans Campus will begin in the Fall of 2003. Anticipated opening will be Fall, 2004.

65 Cedar Street
Haverhill, Massachusetts 01830
Tel: 978-521-9668
Fax: 978-521-9672
E-mail: vneoc@northeastveterans.org
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
evenings by appointment