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Volume 15, No. 10 June 6, 2013

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News
Sisters dying wish benefits homeless veterans
Published Wednesday, May 15, 2013 by Taylor Shaw

DURHAM Dr. Sharon Elliott-Bynum carried the torch of her late sisters vision until fulfilled. The two women founded Case management of AIDS and Addiction through Resources and Education (CAARE) 18 years ago to provide health care and other wellness services to those who could not afford them. My sister, Patricia Amaechi, started the project before she passed, and I picked up on the project Jan. 2010 with a minimal budget and a great deal of faith, said Bynum, co-founder and executive director of Healing with CAARE at 214 Broadway St. Since its promote a providing education and more. beginnings, the organization has expanded its programs to holistic and community approach to health, while also a food pantry, dental care, a free health clinic, HIV and prevention, job readiness, substance abuse treatment

What started out as a way to answer the issues in the community, CAARE identifies the needs of its clients and serves the area as a safety net of support for uninsured, underinsured and low-wealth individuals. Bynum also realized the need for support and care for veterans in Durham was great. This is the land of the free and home of the brave. We are suppose to protect our veterans, she said. CAARE currently has three transitional houses for homeless vets; each guest can stay up to two years. Bynum says the program has an 86 percent success rate with placing veterans in permanent housing. Many transition back to society and become self-sufficient. On May 11, CAARE held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new 15-room dormitory, an extension of the vision that Bynums sister had for the

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The Triangle Tribune | Sports | Black Community Newspaper - Sisters dying wish benefits homeless veterans

6/6/13 9:04 PM

dormitory, an extension of the vision that Bynums sister had for the organization. I was extremely impressed, said Mike Artis of Opportunities Inc. This concept meets the needs of people on a fundamental level: mental, spiritual and emotional needs. Each tenant will have his own room and bathroom, and have access to a common area and office space. Along with housing, veterans will receive three meals a day in addition to the services offered by CAARE. Were not just supplying a home. Were giving access to sustainability through the supportive services, Elliott-Bynum said. Thats what makes the difference. Volunteers played an integral role in the creation of the dorm from installing flooring and toilets to donating money. Other partners are the Veterans Administration, George Williams Collaborative, Sunderland Engineering, Home Depot and others. Last October, Home Depot partnered with CAARE to turn 5,000 square feet of the 23,000 square foot building into the dormitory. The Home Depot Foundation committed to donate $50 million over the next three years. This really inspired me, said Commander Josef Rivero, senior health service officer and president of N.C. Commissioned Officers Association. Rivero and other officers visited the facility and were amazed by the mission and its work. It is an excellent opportunity for the city and for me and the veterans of Durham, said Calvin Leech of the American Legion. Leech assisted in supervising, and serving as a liaison between contractors and volunteering. Its a project well done. She (Elliott-Bynum) succeeded in what her objective was.

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