The Veterans Outreach Center in Rochester has made some much-needed upgrades to its Richard's House emergency shelter.

The center's mission is to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families by offering free, veteran-specific services, including employment counseling, vocational training and housing for homeless veterans.

The center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday to unveil the renovations. The facelift aims to enhance the quality of life for those who have served our country. The project brought numerous improvements.  The highlight of the renovations is the addition of 16 new beds, providing essential shelter and support for more homeless veterans.

"Miraculous upgrade from what, you know, when I lived here, even though when I lived here, it wasn't that bad," said Army veteran Curly Gifford. "This is head and shoulders above that. It gives you hope. I was a resident here for two years. They helped me get my life back on track after being homeless for a year. I got hooked up with a Veterans Upward Bound Program, which is their college program, which helps you actively and uses your GI bill benefits. I was able to finish my degree in a couple of years with physical education, and exercise science, with a couple of national certifications and physical education, an exercise science, but also physical fitness training, and strength and conditioning training as well."

One of the key enhancements is the installation of a three-story elevator, designed to assist veterans with limited mobility. The elevator will enable easy access to all areas of the shelter, ensuring that veterans of all physical abilities can move around freely and comfortably.

Alongside the elevator, the renovations have expanded the laundry space, allowing for increased capacity and efficiency in meeting the veterans' needs. Extra bathrooms have been added to further accommodate the growing number of residents at Richard's House.

The updated facility now offers a welcoming and supportive environment, providing veterans with a safe haven where they can rebuild their lives.

The renovations were made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Veterans Outreach Center and community partners.

According to Veteran Affairs, more than 33,000 veterans experienced homelessness in 2022. This year they are working to bring that number down.