The profile of America’s veterans is changing rapidly. In previous decades, most veterans seeking community support were in their 60s, 70s, or older — men and women from the Vietnam era and earlier who had long completed their service but were now facing aging-related challenges.

Today, however, the story looks very different. Our veterans are younger, more diverse, and facing new types of struggles. The average age of veterans entering transitional programs has dropped significantly — now ranging from 30 to 40 years old. Many of these men and women are recently separated from military service, raising families, and trying to build stable civilian lives in a world that has changed dramatically from the one they left.

This younger generation of veterans often needs different kinds of resources — not just medical care or end-of-life assistance, but education, childcare, housing, job training, and mental health support. They are balancing the responsibilities of parenthood, employment, and reintegration all at once.

Restoration Hall recognizes this shift. Our programs are designed for the modern veteran — younger, motivated, and ready to rebuild, but in need of a foundation of stability. By offering transitional housing, workforce training, childcare, and wellness programs, Restoration Hall is meeting this new generation where they are — providing resources that fit their stage of life and ensuring that no veteran is left behind.

As our veterans get younger, our responsibility grows deeper. The next generation of heroes deserves every opportunity to thrive, not just survive.

The Changing Face Of Today’s Veterans.

A woman in military uniform playing and laughing with two young boys in a bright living room.

Three people, including a woman in military uniform, laugh and hug each other in a close circle.

A soldier in uniform sitting on a gray couch surrounded by family, including two young girls, in a living room with a fireplace, an American flag, and family photos on the shelf.

Man in military uniform sitting outside with two children, a girl and a boy, all smiling and hugging each other.

Group of soldiers and a civilian woman sitting and smiling during a discussion indoors.

RESTORATION HALL INC.

A three-story brick school building with red doors, multiple windows, and the inscription '1909 Rose Hill School' on the top. The building sits on a grassy hill with a clear blue sky in the background.

Restoration Hall Inc. is currently in the process of transforming the historic Rose Hill School into a comprehensive transitional housing and reintegration facility for veterans in the Ohio Valley.

The first program of its kind in the region, structured to achieve measurable results and poised to create lasting change by integrating a holistic model that combines housing, healthcare, childcare, workforce training, family services, and a pathway to home ownership under one roof.”

Project Summary

Restoration Hall Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Bellaire, Ohio, committed to revitalizing underutilized community spaces and providing holistic services for veterans, families, and local residents. The proposed project seeks $1M in funding to assist with the renovation and adaptive reuse of the Restoration Hall facility located at 3400 Franklin Street, transforming it into a multi-purpose community and veterans support campus.

Project Description

The project will convert the existing structure into a safe, accessible, and fully functional space that supports economic opportunity, education, housing stability, health, and community wellness. Restoration Hall will house the following core components:

Veterans Transition and Support Center: Providing comprehensive case management, workforce readiness, and life skills programs for veterans transitioning back into civilian life. The center will include a transitional housing section with accommodations for 25 to 30 veterans, offering stable, short-term housing that serves as a bridge from homelessness to permanent homeownership. Additionally, the facility will maintain 20 emergency beds to provide immediate shelter during inclement weather or crisis situations.
Community Kitchen and Culinary Training Program: A commercial-grade kitchen to support a catering business and offer job training in hospitality and food services.
Early Learning and Child Care Center: Providing affordable, licensed child care to families participating in workforce programs or community services.
Community Event and Meeting Space: A restored multipurpose hall available for local meetings, cultural events, and training programs, fostering civic engagement and community connection.
Healthcare Center: In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and local medical providers, this center will offer preventive healthcare screenings, wellness education, and referral services for veterans and their families to ensure accessible, community-based healthcare support.

Goals and Outcomes

The funding will support construction, interior improvements, and equipment necessary to complete the initial buildout. Expected outcomes include:

Creation of 10–15 permanent jobs and 20–30 temporary construction jobs.
Serving 25–30 veterans annually through transitional housing and supportive services designed to move participants toward stable employment and homeownership.
Maintaining 20 emergency shelter beds for use during inclement weather or emergency circumstances.
Providing 20–30 children with daily early learning and daycare services.
Delivering ongoing healthcare screenings and wellness education in partnership with VA clinicians and community health agencies.
Reducing veteran homelessness and promoting long-term housing stability through targeted workforce development, financial literacy, and housing assistance program assisting veterans in transitioning from homelessness to homeownership through structured housing, financial, and employment pathways, generating sustainable program income through catering, events, and community partnerships.
Community Impact

Restoration Hall will address critical needs in Belmont County — including veteran homelessness, workforce development, childcare shortages, and access to healthcare — by uniting multiple essential services under one roof. The inclusion of transitional and emergency housing ensures veterans have immediate, safe shelter while receiving the comprehensive support needed to achieve lasting independence. The project represents a transformative investment in community resilience, equity, and economic recovery.

Sustainability

Upon completion, ongoing operations will be sustained through diversified revenue streams including catering, facility rentals, daycare income, and local partnerships. Additional funding sources will include state and private grants, as well as community contributions.

Conclusion

The Restoration Hall Project is a transformative community initiative rooted in service, opportunity, and restoration. By combining housing, childcare, workforce training, and social enterprise under one coordinated framework, Restoration Hall will empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency while revitalizing the heart of Bellaire, Ohio.

This project exemplifies the mission of transforming a federal investment into sustainable, community-driven progress.

From the Desk of Leonard Nelson, Executive Director
Restoration Hall, Inc.

Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters,

As co-founder and Executive Director of Restoration Hall, I am humbled to share the journey we are undertaking together. Since our founding, our mission has been clear: to open doors, restore hope, and rebuild lives for veterans across the Ohio Valley.

We are now at a pivotal moment. Restoration Hall is transforming a century-old building into a first-of-its-kind transitional housing and workforce development campus — designed to serve veterans not only with dignity, but with a proven path “from homelessness to homeownership.”

What We’ve Already Tackled

Historic preservation with safety at the core: addressing lead abatement, mold remediation, roofing, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing.
Practical phasing: Phase 1 ensures health and safety; Phase 2 expands into modernized facilities, including a fitness & wellness center, childcare, computer lab, and commercial kitchen.
Grounded feasibility: Each step is guided by data, industry best practice, and the lived experience of veterans we serve.

Opening Doors for Veterans, Strengthening Our Community

What Lies Ahead

Workforce Development: Three tracks (Culinary Arts & Catering, Fitness & Wellness, Childcare & Early Education) will offer veterans recognized certifications and real-world career opportunities.
Wraparound Services: Resume building, expungement assistance, re-issuing vital documents, and financial wellness education are integrated into the program.
Revenue Streams for Sustainability: The catering business, fitness center memberships, and controlled childcare services will create ongoing income to strengthen our operations and independence.
Partnerships: With funders, equipment suppliers, and nonprofits across the Ohio Valley, we are building a coalition that ensures long-term sustainability.

This work is not easy. It requires patience, strong partnerships, and tireless commitment. But every hour invested, every safety upgrade completed, and every partnership formed moves us closer to a campus that will change lives for generations of veterans and their families.

A man in a black tuxedo with a bow tie, wearing glasses, looks directly at the camera against a plain background.

A Call to Join Us

I extend my deepest gratitude to all who have supported us thus far, and I invite new friends and partners to stand with us. Together, we are not just restoring a building — we are restoring lives.

With respect and determination,
Leonard Nelson
Executive Director
Restoration Hall, Inc.
📞 740-444-4045 | ✉️ lnrd@restorationhall.org

At Restoration Hall, our first commitment is to the men and women who have served this country with honor. We are creating a place where veterans facing homelessness can find safety, stability, and a path forward through transitional housing, workforce training, and comprehensive support.

But our mission does not stop there. Every improvement made to Restoration Hall—whether it’s safer facilities, expanded wellness and fitness spaces, or innovative workforce training programs—creates ripple effects that benefit the entire Ohio Valley community.

Housing stability for veterans eases the burden on local shelters and services, making resources more available for other families in need.
Workforce development and job training prepare veterans to re-enter the workforce while also strengthening our region’s economy and supporting local employers.
Health and safety upgrades—from mold and lead remediation to improved HVAC and ADA access—ensure a healthier environment for all who use the campus.
Community partnerships and events bring together local organizations, schools, and businesses to share in programs that uplift the whole county.

By standing with veterans, we are investing in the health, resilience, and prosperity of Belmont County as a whole. When veterans thrive, our entire community thrives.

Restoration Hall Projected Outcome Allocation

This chart illustrates how Restoration Hall anticipates distributing the outcomes and impact of its programs across key areas of service. Each category represents a central component of our comprehensive approach to helping veterans move from homelessness to homeownership and full reintegration into the community.

Housing Stability (30%) – The foundation of Restoration Hall’s mission. Stable housing ensures veterans have a safe, supportive environment as they rebuild their lives and prepare for permanent independence.
Health & Safety (25%) – This allocation focuses on physical and mental wellness programs, healthcare access, fitness, and nutrition—ensuring every participant’s well-being while in transition.
Workforce & Reintegration (20%) – Job training, career placement, and educational opportunities empower veterans to re-enter the workforce with confidence and sustainable income.
Daily Living Supports (15%) – Includes case management, financial literacy, life skills training, and other essential services that promote long-term self-sufficiency.
Security & Monitoring (10%) – Dedicated to maintaining a secure, respectful, and supportive facility environment, ensuring safety for residents, staff, and visitors alike.

Together, these components form the backbone of Restoration Hall’s integrated model—meeting immediate needs while building a pathway to independence, stability, and renewed purpose.

Pie chart titled 'Restoration Hall Projected Outcome Allocation' showing six segments labeled: 'Daily Living Supports', 'Security & Monitoring', 'Workforce & Reintegration', 'Health & Safety', 'Housing Stability', and 'Daily Living Supports' with percentages ranging from 10% to 30%, represented in different colors.

Our Commitment to Veterans

At Restoration Hall, we hold an unwavering commitment to the men and women who have so proudly served this country. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication to protecting our freedoms inspire every aspect of our work. We believe that no veteran should face homelessness, isolation, or lack of opportunity after service.

Through safe housing, workforce training, and wraparound support, we honor their service by providing a clear path to stability, dignity, and lasting success. Our mission is rooted in gratitude — ensuring that those who defended our nation are met with the respect, resources, and opportunities they deserve when they return home.

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