Veterans Stand Down, Camp Centurion Steps Up
By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network
BESSEMER CITY, NC (WNN) – In a corner of rural Gaston County lies a sanctuary for military veterans who find themselves in hard times. Camp Centurion, nestled on a shady country road, is a beacon of hope for homeless and low-income veterans seeking a chance at a fresh start.
Founded with a singular mission, Camp Centurion provides more than just a roof over their residents’ heads. It offers a safe and secure environment where veterans can heal, re-engage with society, and rediscover their sense of purpose.ย
Kenneth Heavner is the director of Camp Centurion. He joined the organization about a year ago, following his retirement from the military. He devoted his career to serving his country and now focuses his retirement on serving fellow veterans.
“We house low-income and homeless veterans, but the mission is really coming together and giving them a safe and secure environment where they can actually heal and really come home regardless of how long they were in the service or what they did,” said Heavner.ย
Camp Centurion is a 12-month transitional housing program that seeks to help veterans get back on their feet. The camp sleeps eight at one time. Heavner said that Camp Centurion is not a shelter, it is a home.
It’s very imperative for them to feel safe, for them to feel secure and to just to take a deep breath and let it out,” said Heavner.ย
Like any other home, the residents can cook meals, watch television and convene together. Heavner wants the space to be comfortable. However, a big part of Camp Centurion’s mission is accountability. Each resident must complete specific responsibilities.
Some of the residents’ requirements include sobriety of all illicit substances, completion of daily chores, maintaining a steady job, and attending any necessary treatment appointments. Veterans must pass a drug test before staying in the home.ย
Heavner shared that many veterans are impacted by substance abuse and other various mental health conditions. The co-occurring disorders, often stemming from their service, present significant hurdles for many veterans.
“I would say 90-95% of the time that the substance abuse is typically triggered by some other event. That either in some type of PTSD, something that happened, some kind of trauma that happened in an individual’s life where they’re actually using the substance abuse to cope with,” said Heavner.
Camp Centurion is dedicated to getting its veterans help. They partner with many facilities that provide substance abuse and mental health treatment. Some of those partners include:
- Bethel Colony (Lenoir) – Christian-based 62 to 65-day inpatient treatment program for substance abuse.
- Cornerstone Christian Center (Gastonia) – 90-day inpatient treatment program for substance abuse and mental illness.
- Charlotte Rescue Mission – Rebound (Charlotte) – Provides in-house substance abuse treatment for low-income individuals.
- First at Blue Ridge (Asheville) – Offers a 14-month intense treatment program for substance abuse and mental illness.
Each facility specializes in treating addiction based on severity. First at Blue Ridge focuses on methamphetamine, opioid, and amphetamine addictions, while Cornerstone is better suited for alcohol or marijuana use.
Additionally, Camp Centurion collaborates with Gaston County Treatment Courts, a program aiding individuals with substance abuse issues who commit nonviolent crimes. It tackles the root causes of criminal behavior through supervision, treatment, and support.
Treatment Court allows veterans to seek help by attending court, pleading guilty, and accepting treatment. Upon completing treatment, they can transition to housing programs like Camp Centurion.
At Camp Centurion, success is not measured by the number of veterans using the home, the duration of a veteran’s sobriety, or the quantity of donations received. Instead, success is measured in the effort put in by Camp Centurion staff and the veterans.ย
“When you think of success, I think getting someone to treatment is a success. I think getting someone back to treatment; ย after a relapse; I think that’s a success,” said Heavner.
Community members can donate to Camp Centurion to further its cause. Most of the food consumed in the home is donated. Additionally, individuals can sign up to send monthly donations. Heavner said this helps immensely.
The organization is hosting an event called Veteran Stand Down on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The purpose of the event is to reach out to the community, showing that Camp Centurion is here to help.
The Veteran Stand Down event is a proactive outreach effort to engage the community and showcase the organization’s work firsthand.
“I can try to articulate to you what we do here, but it takes somebody really seeing firsthand what we’re trying to accomplish for it to sink in,” said Heavner.ย
Camp Centurion volunteers and staff will give tours of the home, so attendees can see the organization in action. The event will feature DJ Shamrock, a barbeque lunch, a speech from a guest presenter and more.
Heavner said they are always looking for volunteers to help around the home. If you are interested, contact Camp Centurion through its website.
Through its compassionate and comprehensive approach, Camp Centurion provides a pathway to healing and renewal for those who have sacrificed so much. Despite veterans’ challenges, Camp Centurion offers support, solidarity, and community in their path to recovery and reintegration.
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