home

Janie's Hands Transitional Home is located at 82 Main Street in Cheswold, Del. (Photo: WBOC) 

CHESWOLD, Del.- An effort is underway in Kent County to help veterans get back on their feet. 

Janie's Hands Transitional Home officially opened in September after the Cheswold house was donated to founder Frances Perry. It is the only transitional home for veterans in the county. 

One of its residents, Kevin Taylor is a U.S. Army veteran who was homeless about a year ago. Today he prepares to move into his own apartment and said Janie's Hands helped him break free from the challenges many veterans face today. 

"It has been a really emotional and good experience for me as far as doing the right things and just being able to come here and lay my head down instead of laying it in the cold on the street," Taylor shared. 

Perry said her efforts are inspired by personal experiences, especially witnessing Vietnam veterans being mistreated upon their return home from war. 

"I was only 10 but I saw on it on television and asked my mother, 'Why are they spitting on the veterans? They didn't ask to go over there?'" 

Perry who served as a nurse in the army and battled homelessness herself said she always said to her mother, "One of these days I'm going to help them and care for them."

Taylor said the founder's experience and compassion has changed his life. "I am stable now and back on my feet so I am really thankful." 

While the new home has success stories already, Perry said it takes a village to keep things running and that community support is needed now more than ever. 

"We do struggle sometimes during the month to get through we have a light bill, rent and food," she explained. "We have seven veterans and we have two in rehab that are going to be coming back and they don't have anything so if anyone is willing to help us out we will be very grateful."

Perry expressed thanks to those who have helped get the home where it is now including fellow veterans, resources within the Veteran's Affairs office and Dover City Councilman Brian Lewis. 

The next nearest transitional home for veterans is the Home of the Brave in Milford.