Mr. Thomas Bierbaum, CEO & President, Volunteers of America Massachusetts,Congressman Michael Capuano,Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, City of Somerville, Ms. Lisette Smith, Chairperson, Volunteers of America Massachusetts.

Volunteers of America Massachusetts (VOAMA) joined together with Somerville officials and their honored guests to officially break ground on the Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center (MBVC), a 29-bed housing facility to increase the availability of affordable alcohol- and drug-free housing in the Metro Boston region for veterans in need, Friday.

“Today, in breaking ground on the MBVC, we are opening a new chapter in the mission to support our veterans” VOAMA CEO, Thomas Bierbaum said. “We are coming together to give housing, employment opportunities, and support to the veterans who were there for us when we needed them.”

The ceremony was opened with Mr. Bierbaum expressing his gratitude to the City of Somerville and Mayor Joseph Curtatone for lending a hand in the opening of this facility. “Without the City of Somerville’s support, the MBVC would not be possible,” Bierbaum said.

The facility has been years in the making and guests were thrilled to be a part of this step in ensuring that veterans have a chance at being successful members of our communities. Special guest speakers included; United States House of Representatives, Congressman Michael Capuano, Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Coleman Nee, and Undersecretary for the Department of Housing and Community Development, Aaron Gornstein, who applauded the work done by VOA in supporting veteran services.

The MBVC will have seven units of permanent housing, and 22 units of transitional housing for veterans. The transitional housing units will have a group kitchen, dining facilities, common rooms, counseling rooms, offices, lounges and meeting areas and allow for the residents to build an independent life within the community. The facility is set to open in spring 2013.

For more information about Volunteers of America Massachusetts, visit us at www.voamass.org