What is the most suitable location for an initial faith-based alternative to VA services?
Basic requirements
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The site should be in a rural setting, away from as many of the distractions that contributed to emotional, physical and spiritual conditions as possible
without creating a monastery.
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The site should be located within an easy commute to a major Veterans Affairs hospital to ensure that clients have access to a pharmacy and major medical
care, and all other services that the VA has to offer.
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The site should be in an area where public transportation can help clients attend off-site schools, universities, and end-state employment opportunities.
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The site must be able to house a minimum of 25 initial residential clients and an additional 25 beds for transient clients. The ultimate goal will be to house
100 residential clients, 25 transient clients, and 25 halfway house clients (total 150). There must also be one private but not detached living facility for
the night shift supervisor.
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In addition to the above dormitory space, the site must have adequate dining facilities, at least six moderate-sized classrooms, one major meeting area
(chapel type), one medium-sized business conference room and nine office/counseling rooms. The site should have additional buildings and community access
for a thrift store and other income-producing and community service enterprises.
Reasons for Seeking a Location Near Charlotte, N.C.
In what region is the target population located?
The U.S. Census Bureau (2000) has identified the South as the region that has the greatest number of veterans in the entire nation (almost 10 million). The other
regions (Northeast, Midwest and West) each had approximately half that number. Crossfire intends to be a national program, offering services to all veterrans who are
able to reach its initial facilities in the South with additional facilities opening in other regions.
Which southern state offers the most favorable environment for a faith-based alternative to VA services?
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Homelessness: Among the southeastern states, North Carolina is second only to Florida in the greatest number of homeless individuals. When you consider that it
has only about half the number of funded homeless beds as Florida, it immediately rises to the top of the list when considering need.
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Military installation and separations froma active duty: North Carolina is home to six military installations: Fort Bragg (sixth-largest number of separations
in the nation); Camp Lejeune (eighth-largest number of separations in the nation); Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, New River Marine Corps Air Station;
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; Pope Air Force Base. For fiscal year 1997, North Carolina ranked 4th among the states in the number of military separations
(15,908). With this large military presence, the Winston-Salem Regional Office has more than 112,000 potential active-duty customers in addition to over
710,700 North Carolina veterans. While other states are experiencing the closing of military bases, North Carolina military installations continue to expand
in mission, size and population. This growth in veteran, active duty, reservist and dependant populations has resulted in a significant increase in
compensation and pension claims, loan guaranty activity, requests for vocational rehabilitation and counseling services, requests for assitance and
information.
Which city in the South is most accessible and will provide the best opportunities for education, employment, and location close to a major VA medical center?
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Size: When planning a headquarters and prototype for a national alternative to federal veterans' services, size does matter. Charlotte is the larget city
within the region. Charlotte has a 6.9 million and Atlanta has 7.5 million people living within a 100-mile radius. This radius population well exceeds Miami's 5.8 million and the 2.6 million around Memphis.
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Accessibility: Because this project plans to draw veterans from the entire region and possibly from the entire nation, accessibility is crucial. Charlotte has
emerged as a financial, distribution and transportation center for the entire urban region.
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Charlotte is served by an excellent state and federal highway network, including major north-south and east-west interstate arteries, and a modern, expanded
international airport terminal. Eigh major airlines offer direct and nonstop daily flights to 155 cities. Each year over 11.8 million passengers board planes
at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, ranking it the 17th most active air transportation center in the nation.
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Charlotte is a major distribution hub and is at the center of the largest consolidated rail system in the United States.
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The Charlotte region is also the center of the country's largest consolidated rail system. Two major rial systems, Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX
Transportation, link 27,000 miles of rail between Charlotte and 22 eastern states. Each offers piggyback facilities combing with 300 trucking firms located
here. Direct connections are provided to the porst of Wilmington, Morehead City and Charleston.