Aug 12 Tip: Learn why Louisville's "City of Hope" is Expanding

Discover why a Louisville long-term treatment center for homeless veterans is expanding

(The August 12 Compassionate Living Tip from Interfaith Paths to Peace)

http://www.wdrb.com/story/23088591/city-of-hope-expanding-for

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A long-term treatment facility is expanding to provide living space for homeless veterans.

The City of Hope is helping those who fought for American freedoms, but are now fighting to help keep a roof over their heads.

"My drug of choice was opiates," said veteran Brandon Reed, who has been clean since April 5.

Reed has completed 30-day treatment programs in the past but always seems to regress.

"I'd build a house of cards back up and then knock it back down and I was back in a 30-day treatment starting all over again," Reed said.

But now Reed believes he's in the right place to get the help that he needs.

"Long-term is the key for me."

The expansion at City of Hope in west Louisville will make room for more recovering addicts and military veterans.

"A lot of the programs were full and some of the veterans were getting homeless they were not able to find a place to stay and a lot of those veterans are recovering," said pastor Greg Troutt, who pastors the campus church at City of Hope.

Troutt says everybody is chipping in to make room for the veterans and additional recovering addicts.

"We are doing floors, we are doing drywall, painting up the buildings on the outside, doing the landscaping."

Pastor Troutt says the new building hasn't opened but City of Hope has already opened its doors to the veterans.

"Twenty-five right now is what we are doing; we have veterans now you know signing up weekly but in the end we hope to have anywhere from 50 to 75 beds," Troutt said.

"You know, veterans, I've heard some of their stories in AA meetings and it's just incredible," said Reed, who is looking forward to continuing his recovery alongside veterans who are going through the same thing.

"It almost makes me feel guilty for all of the advantages that I've had in life, and now they're coming back no jobs and very few skills and they're really struggling," Reed said.

The City of Hope is prepared to house the veterans and recovering addicts for up to two years if needed.

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