Cleveland Fisher House Facility Opens to Veterans in Need
Skylight
July 8, 2019
Last month, former military personnel Keven Prather and Mike Connole had the opportunity to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Greater Cleveland Fisher House. The Fisher House program supports veterans receiving treatment at the Cleveland VA medical center by offering free temporary lodging to patients and their families.
Veterans from across the state, community service leaders, and government representatives were just a few of the groups that made up the crowd for the ceremony. During the event, the Fisher House Foundation unveiled two 16-suite homes built for veteran families facing medical crisis. Each suite comes with a private bedroom and bath, shared kitchen, laundry facilities, and access to things like a full library and toys for young children. This “home away from home” allows veteran families across Northeast Ohio to rest easy and focus on the being there for their loved one.
“When you put on the uniform of your country you are asked to do things that others simply are not” says Keven Prather, who served in the United States Coast Guard for just shy of 6 years. “Being there for people on the worst days of their lives has shaped me into who I am, and as any veteran would tell you, the call to serve continues far after your active duty days. Supporting organizations like the Fisher House is just one of the ways we can serve those who have risked everything to protect our country.”
As a former board member of the USO of Northern Ohio and affiliate of the 9th District Coast Guard, Keven has made it his mission to remain active among the veteran organizations in his community. His latest work has been as an Associate Trustee with the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation. This veteran-led project hopes to bring the USS Cleveland naval ship back to its namesake city after its service life. Once returned, the ship will become a floating museum and tribute to the United States Navy and the community of Cleveland as a whole.
“Keven and I, along with many other military personnel at Skylight, are constantly finding new ways to participate in veteran initiatives” said Skylight Managing Partner Mike Connole. Mike served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves for 24 years, recently retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. “The Fisher House has gone above and beyond to support the veterans in our community. These brave men and women give up so much to protect our country from harm. Supporting veterans and their families as they seek medical treatment and undergo the healing process is just one of the many ways we need to say thank you.”
Thank you for your time gentlemen!
To learn more about the Fisher House Foundation, visit their homepage here.
