my wife said Al, you should call it Honour House, in Honour House Honour of our Canadian Forces and first responders. De Genova set out on a mission to create Honour Society Providing House, a home dedicated to military members, Veterans and emergency-services personnel who may need to Help for Veterans travel to Vancouver for medical care and need to stay for a long period of timewhether its for days, weeks, By Marie Del Cid or monthsfor free. ack in 2006, in a small village outside of There wasnt anything like this, explains De Kandahar, Afghanistan, Armed Forces Capt. Genova. He began looking for a large house and location Trevor Greene was struck in the back of his head to create this home away from home for Veterans. His B search started in Vancouver but due to city zoning and by a man with an axe. His life forever changed. Doctors did not have much hope for him and told the family development bylaws, was unable to obtain any of the he would never be the same as he had suffered severe properties he had looked at. It was a frustrating process brain damage. Greene is from British Columbia, but he until finally one day, the Mayor of New Westminster, began his long journey to rehabilitation with treatment called De Genova to tell him that he had the perfect in Alberta. Travelling away from his home and family home for Honour House in the Royal City. necessarily added additional financial dificulties. I told one of our board members, Michael Allan De Genova, former Vancouver Park Board Flanigan. We jumped into the car and we drove out to commissioner and a supporter of Ronald McDonald this house, we walked in and he said Al, this is like a 9 Housewas touched and inspired by the documentary out of a 10. Weve got to get it, he says. Peace Warrior,which tells Greenes story. The house came together with the help of many We found the documentary so touching. After we supporters such as the Vancouver Regional Construction watched it, my wife said to me, You need to open up Association and The Royal Canadian Legion. People a house similar to Ronald McDonald House, to help got involved in the project and helped raise over 1.3 our men and women, says De Genova, Director and million dollars for renovations. President of Honour House Society. Honour House opened its doors in New We could see Debbie and Trevor struggling so Westminster in September of 2011, providing a home hard. I started to really get involved, and thats when away from home for free, for Canadian Veterans, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, sheriffs, border guards, search- and-rescue workers, coast guard members, corrections officers, and their family members. Up to 10 or 11 families are able to stay at the house. This means a great deal to them, especially when they are faced with such difficult times. Its a pretty grand house. We wanted to still keep the integrity of the home but yet make it where the families could come in, have their own room but they have to come downstairs to cook their own meals, just like its their own place. This also helps them to integrate with other families. Honour House has now hit over five thousand night stays, making it a The street view of Honour House, located at 509 St. George Street in New Westminster, successful program. De Genova says BC. Photo: Marie Del Cid they feel really good about the work 16 Hospital Veterans Journal The Kamloops property for Honour Ranch was donated by residents Rick and Donna Wanless, with the idea that the facility could bring more awareness to mental-health, as well as turning it into a legacy for Veterans. The ranch offers therapy programs with doctors and psychologists who design specific help for each individual. There are also serene areas where people can go and meditate or simply relax among nature and enjoy the outdoors. As well, Veterans will be among peers who are suffering from the same issues, which can help them feel less alone or embarrassed about their illness, and instead make them feel more understood. I just have to make sure that our Veterans either timing out or active, are looked after and they know that if they need a place to stay, Honour House is their home away from home at no cost. And if they need the treatments, Honour Ranch will be there to help them and/or their families, says De Genova. The common areas in Honour House are designed to encourage guests to interact and visit. Photo: Marie Del Cid Its unconditional and Im driven by that every day. and help theyve been able to provide for Veterans and their families. Honour ranch will be able to help anywhere from 8 to 12 people at a time as they implement programs Its been my inspiration, and I am driven everyday and get a feel for things. They are taking the right steps by this home and for what we can do for our men and in the right direction by letting Veterans and Canadian women in uniform. And now Ive been on the circuit Forces know that they arent alone and that there is in Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg and Calgary. And were support in place for their road to recovery. starting Honour Houses in those provinces, he says. Apart from running Honour House Society, De Genova is a busy man. He has taken on a new project to continue to help our military personnel and Veterans in the form of a program offering mental health treatment. Honour Ranch, is a refuge for military personnel, first responders and Veterans where they can seek help for their post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and any other mental illness they may be suffering from. The ranch is located on the North Thompson River in Kamloops, making way for a new affordable treatment option. While Honour House is the home away from home while they are getting the treatment, the ranch will actually offer the treatments they need, said De Genova. Honour Ranch opened on October 21, 2016, offering programs free of charge. De Genova is passionate about helping Veterans, especially after hearing of countless cases of first responders, many of whom are reservists for the Canadian Forces, struggling with PTSD and, in the worst case, committing suicide. Deer amble by the gazebo at Honour Ranch, a Kamloops, BC Being able to provide a facility that offers treatment for based facility offering therapy programs and relaxation to mental-health disorders is a way to give back and say Veterans struggling with PTSD and other mental health issues. thank you to them for all that they do. Photo courtesy of Honour House Society. Hospital Veterans Journal 17.