GOODWILL TO BUILD ADDITION TO THE GENERAL WAYNE A. DOWNING HOME FOR VETERANS
Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois will expand its services to homeless veterans by building an addition to the General Wayne A. Downing Home for Veterans.The home has a current capacity of 10 men; the expansion will provide a home for a total of 15 homeless veterans.
The home opened in 2005, and was named for General Downing in 2008. General Downing, a Peoria native, commanded the nation’s Special Forces and is recognized as the father of the modern-day Rangers. He retired in 1996 as a four-star general, after earning the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. General Downing, who died in 2007, was known as the soldier’s soldier and was often heard saying, “It’s all about the veterans.”
The Downing home provides permanent supportive housing for male veterans who have received an honorable discharge, have a diagnosed disability and have been homeless. The home is staffed 24/7 and assists veterans with counseling, benefits support, daily living skills, employment, education and health needs.
The addition to the home will include six bedrooms, a bathroom, a laundry room, a conference room and much-needed updates to the existing facility’s kitchen and bathrooms. The estimated cost is $550, 000, with $150,000 already contributed by The General Wayne A.Downing Foundation.
“Serving our veterans has always been an important part of our mission,” said Patty Fuchs, Goodwill President and CEO. “We are thrilled that this expansion will allow us to change the lives of even more of these men. It’s a great way for Goodwill and the community to say thank you for your service.”
If you are interested in contributing to the addition or have questions about the Downing home, the expansion, or Goodwill, please contact
Patty Fuchs at (309) 682-1113.