MANCHESTER—December 22, 2010—St. Mary’s Bank recently gave $3,000 to The Way Home to assist with pre-development costs of the organization’s 85/87 Laurel Street property in Manchester, which will provide permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans.

“The Way Home has excellent programs in place to help the lower-income families of the Greater Manchester community, and we’re pleased to help them with this particular project, which will provide housing for five of our country’s veterans,” said Tom Champagne, St. Mary’s Bank’s Director of Community Outreach. “As St. Mary’s is committed to serving the underserved, so is The Way Home, and we wholeheartedly support them in that mission.”

St. Mary’s donation covers the cost of insuring the building during pre-development fund raising to completely renovate the building. Once refurbished, the 3-story house will have a first-floor one-bedroom apartment that is wheelchair accessible and two two-bedroom apartments.

“We’re grateful to St. Mary’s Bank for their generous gift, as it allows us to begin work on this important renovation,” said Mary Sliney, Executive Director of The Way Home. “Our new building is within easy access to downtown for jobs and services and is four blocks from The Way Home's Housing Resource Center, one block from the Homeless Services Center and three blocks from two job training centers. We’re excited to use this residence as a way to help those who have served our country and now need a place to call home.”

The Way Home assists lower-income families and individuals obtain and keep safe, affordable housing, offers supportive services to nurture independence and advocates for greater opportunities for those needing help.