CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — The Pickaway County Community Action (PICCA) has received a generous donation of $18,800 from Homes for Veterans, a New Jersey-based nonprofit dedicated to providing barrier-free spaces for military veterans. The funds are earmarked for significant renovations to the bathrooms and showers at Ohio House, a facility used by PICCA to offer transitional housing for homeless veterans.
Jonna Motter, PICCA Executive Director, expressed gratitude for the donation, stating, “We are so blessed that Homes for Veterans believes in the important work we are doing for unhoused military veterans. This work will greatly improve the quality of life for people who served our country and defended the freedoms we enjoy.”
Francesca DiPaola, CEO of Homes for Veterans, highlighted the impact of the renovations on veterans’ lives. “When you can bathe yourself safely in your own home, the mental relief is enormous,” DiPaola said. “We strongly believe in collaborating with other veteran nonprofits to ensure our veterans receive the holistic care they deserve.”
Founded in 2011 by the late Douglas DiPaola during the Great Recession, Homes for Veterans has continued its mission under the leadership of his daughter, Francesca, following his death from COVID in 2020. The organization has since invested over $1 million in barrier-free modifications, completing more than 140 projects across 19 states.
Ohio House provides housing for up to 16 veterans and is part of PICCA’s broader effort to support homeless veterans and families across the 17-county Chillicothe VA catchment area. In addition to housing, PICCA offers mental health support, wellness opportunities, and employment readiness services under contract with the local VA, aiming to transition clients to permanent housing and employment.
The renovation work on four bathrooms at Ohio House is set to begin later this month, with completion expected by late spring or early summer. The project will be carried out by Utmost Renovations of Amanda, Ohio.