0 0 0 Ea dtti MAZDA 25 * `98 626 LX 36 month lease 0 0 Lending Shelter Jewish War Veterans help in getting the Detroit Veterans Center off the ground. LONNY GOLDSMITH Staff Writer are war veterans, but veterans com- prise 35 percent of the homeless pop- ulation. Many of them are Vietnam veter- ans, but Tobi Geibig, the executive director of the Michigan Veterans Foundation, which operates the cen- ter, said he has also seen homeless Desert Storm and World War II veter- ans. He said the Detroit area has the largest population of homeless veter- ans in the country. The center has a capacity of 104, and 60 have checked into it. "We get them off the streets, restore their pride and educate them when we need to," Geibig said. p until a few months ago, Howard Shorr, a Jewish Air Force captain during the Vietnam War, had been liv- ing in his car for a year — not by choice. He arrived in Detroit 25 years ago by way of Dayton after a decorated Air Force career, during which he received the distinguished flying cross. Schorr had worked as an accountant, insurance salesman and real estate agent until 10 years ago when he became disabled with degenerative bone and joint disease and post traumatic stress disorder from the war. "Being disabled, I couldn't get enough money scraped together to cover all the living requirements," he said. "I lived on the margins, even when I had money." But life took a radical turn for the better with the opening of the Detroit Veterans Center, a housing center that helps homeless veterans Vietnam veteran Howard Shorr: off the streets. get off the street and trains them for a more "Some of the clients buy a house, stable and productive life. some reunite with family and some Now Shorr, 5'8, has access to med- end up in assisted living facilities," he ical facilities that he didn't know exist- said. "We would consider any of those ed and has a bed to sleep in. "Being successful outcomes." here has already helped me and I'm Grants were received from the city of making progress," he said. Detroit, the state of Michigan and the The center, on Park Street at Tem- federal government, as well as several ple in Detroit's Cass Corridor, is the local foundations, including the Taub- brainchild of Eli Katz, former state man Foundation. Geibig estimates that commander of the Jewish War Veter- the complex will cost over $3 million. ans who died last year. He began try- JWV National Commander Jack ing to build a housing center for Berman came to town for the center's homeless veterans eight years ago. opening ceremony. According to Twelve veterans service organiza- Geibig, no other organization's nation- tions have donated time and money to al commander has been to town to see the project; one of them is the nation- the building. al Jewish War Veterans. "We're "He was so impressed, he wants to involved because they served their do something like this across the country," said Jack Schwartz, who is country," said Detroit JWV Comman- in charge of poor and homeless issues der Robert Feldman. "People don't for the JWV. often think of Jews as being homeless, The federal Veteran's Administra- but it happens." ❑ tion says 7.6 percent of the population 0 0 C.) 0 CA C) 0 0 $1475 Due at Signing 0 0 Air cond., AM/FM CD player, pwr. C.) windows/locks/mirrors, cruise and more. Fej 0 0 36 month lease `99 MIATA $244* $1519 Due at Signing 0 Air cond., AM/FM CD player, 5 speed and more. 35 0 O `98 MILLENIA 03 0 0 0 CO C) 0 0 tp 0 0 0 r- 0 0 0 0, $1473 Due at Signing 0 -J 0 —J CIT1 Sunroof, leather, 4 seasons package, remote keyless entry...loaded! *All rebates to dealer. Plus tax, title, plates & doc. fees. Subject to credit approval MON. & THURS. 9-9, TUES., WED., FRI.. (248) 9.6 PM 471.0800 r- 0 0 0 0, 0 0 0 37911 Grand River (West of Halsted) • FARMINGTON HILLS www.billcookauto.com THERE IS CASH IN YOUR CLOSET!! JUST ARRIVED Now Taking Full Consignment Lots of "New" Arrivals Bloomfield-Keego Resale Shop 3425 Orchard Lake Rd., Keego Harbor (at Commerce Rd.) Mori.-Sat. 10-5, Thur. til 7 (248) 681-542 4 . EXPERIENCING INFERTILITY? The Center for Reproductive Medicine has Opened a Comprehensive New Center in Oakland County ! OOOOO •••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ONE OF THE HIGHEST SUCCESS RATES IN MICHIGAN AND AMONG THE LEADING CLINICS IN THE U.S.A. Moskifa I. Abuzeid, M.D., P.C. THE CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 3950 S. Rochester Rd., Ste. 2300 , Rochester Hills, MI 48307 • (248) 338-2887 • Fax (248) 338-1685 Detroit Je,:vish News 7/31 199, 2-4