Robin’s Home cuts ribbon on veterans resource center

Posted onAuthorRobin's Home

William Pitts – Eagle Staff Writer – March 09, 2024

The local veterans assistance agency Robin’s Home began in 2019 as a supportive housing program for woman veterans in the Butler area, before opening a thrift store and donation center in November 2022.

Ribbon cutting
From left, Robin’s Home service coordinator Evelyn Delisio; Army veteran Jill Dettro; Robin’s Home board director Kathy Hennessey; Robin’s Home peer specialist Karen Triscas; VA Butler Healthcare nurse Jessica Carpenter; Robin’s Home executive director Mary Chitwood; Army veteran Ada Tull; Robin’s Home directors Dennis Baglier and Stephanie Shaffer; Robin’s Home board president Ev Searle; and Navy veteran Ricardo McPherson preside over the ribbon-cutting for the new Veterans H.E.A.R.T. Resource Center on North Main Street in Butler on Friday, March 8. William Pitts/Butler Eagle

“As the executive director, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve those who have selflessly served our nation,” said Robin’s Home executive director Mary Chitwood just before the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. “This center is dedicated to empowering our veterans and ensuring they receive the care and respect they deserve.”

Employees, volunteers, veterans and family members of veterans arrived for the “heartwarming party” to see, firsthand, what services the new resource center would offer to veterans, both male and female.

“My son was in the Army, my grandson was in the Army, and my father-in-law was in the Army,” said Marty Searle. “So we’re great supporters of this, and I’m just proud to be a part of it.”

Marty’s son, Justin Searle, who welcomed the new center with open arms, served in the U.S. Army for six years, and was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

“I think it’s a great thing,” Justin Searle said. “Veterans sometimes don’t know where to turn. And now they got a spot where they can turn if they’re in trouble.”