It’s & We’re Always Open!
Beginning October 7th, Cafe Beethoven will host a photography exhibit featuring portraits of homeless veterans by Kerry Cozzolino. The portraits include veterans still living on the streets those in transitional housing and finally those that have re-established themselves and are living in their own homes.
The Long Road Home: Veterans in Transition
Photography Exhibit
Beginning October 7th, Cafe Beethoven will host a photography exhibit featuring portraits of homeless veterans by Kerry Cozzolino. The portraits include veterans still living on the streets those in transitional housing and finally those that have re-established themselves and are living in their own homes.
Cozzolino was inspired to photograph veterans after commuting to New York City. “When I was commuting to New York City for photography classes I noticed that most of the homeless people I encountered were veterans. I started researching homelessness among veterans and was heartbroken to read the statistics.”
The Veterans Administration (VA) estimates there are approximately 8,000 homeless veterans of the United States Armed Forces in New Jersey. Cozzolino found “All the people I have spoken to close to the situation say the figure is much higher than the estimate for New Jersey.” Nationwide the VA estimates that about 12% of the homeless population are veterans. Approximately 41% of the homeless veteran population are between the ages of 31 and 50. The VA also estimates there are about 1.4 million other veterans at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and horrible living conditions in substandard housing. The number of young homeless veterans is increasing. The majority of homeless veterans are unmarried and suffer from mental illness and alcohol or substance abuse. A large number of displaced or at-risk veterans live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are self-medicating to compensate for PTSD.
Veterans Haven is a New Jersey State facility that offers a transitional housing program for homeless veterans. Veterans Haven is funded by the State of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and supported by the United States Veterans Affairs, as well as the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The veterans are referred by the VA, parole officers, halfway houses, and counselors to Veterans Haven. The homeless veterans are then medically evaluated by the VA Medical Center and, if eligible, must agree to a two-year program that includes psychological, social, and vocational rehabilitation.
“After my research, I decided to take portraits of homeless veterans and those in transition to try and educate people and raise awareness about homeless veterans. I contacted the Veterans Havens located in New Jersey and they agreed to let me photograph veterans interested in participating in my project. I have taken their portrait and documented their stories”, Cozzolino states. A program will be available for everyone to experience the story associated with each portrait.
Cafe Beethoven is hosting a donation drive from November 4th through November 23rd for the following wish list items for Veterans Haven New Jersey locations:
New Twin Sheet Sets, blankets/comforters, and bed pillows
New Shower curtains, shower shoes, and shower puffs
New Bath Towels
New Men’s athletic and dress socks
New Men’s casual dress shirts (L-4XL)
New Ladies Blouses (M-1X)
Jackets/Blazers
New Hats, Scarves, gloves
New Undergarments (M-4X)
Dress Shoes (Various)
Personal Hygiene Items (Shampoo, soap, shaving cream, razors, deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes)
Umbrellas
Batteries
USB Thumb Drives
Gift Cards for Walmart, Wa-Wa supermarket, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts, Friendly’s, Mcdonald’s, and Panera.
Cafe Beethoven is graciously hosting a reception on November 4th from 7-9 pm. At the reception a fundraising opportunity to support Veterans Haven with a $50 donation is available. The donor will receive a matted 5×7 portrait with the veteran’s story as a gift.
This photography exhibit was made possible with the generous support of :
Cafe Beethoven
Rose City Framemakers
Pipe Works ServicesCozzolino states, “This photography exhibit is a labor of love and respect to those who have sacrificed so much more than their time in the military. There are so many varied reasons each of these veterans is homeless. I interviewed and photographed veterans who served from Vietnam to Afghanistan. Some were stateside others served overseas. Their stories are heartbreaking and compelling. If you are ever in New York City, or any other city, and see a homeless veteran, thank them for their service to this country. If you do that, I will have accomplished what I set out to do with this project.”
