Wantage man named American Legion state commander

WANTAGE — The American Legion of New Jersey has elected Roger Gengaro, a Vietnam-era veteran from Wantage, as its new state commander.
Gengaro has served as a member of the Legion for 29 years, specifically as commander of Sussex Post 213, Sussex County commander and state vice commander. As Sussex County commander, he persuaded the county freeholders to establish a veteran ID card, which has been issued to almost 1,000 county veterans through the County Clerk’s office.
Each year, the newly elected state commander selects a state-wide project to improve the lives of New Jersey’s veterans. Gengaro’s project will focus on homeless veterans by supporting a program called “Hope for Veterans” at Community Hope, a 95-bed transitional housing program located on the campus of Lyons VA Medical Center in Lyons, N.J. His project will also include improvements at Veterans Haven North in Glen Gardner and Veterans Haven South in Winslow Township.
The Veterans Haven facilities, operated by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, offer a haven for homeless veterans.
The goal is to ensure that homeless veterans are treated and cared for in a dignified, compassionate and professional manner so as to reach an optimal level of independence, and aid them in re-acquiring the life skills and ability to live in the community while maintaining their self-sufficiency, dignity and honor.
Veteran’s Haven North operates two programs: a transitional housing program, and an emergency shelter and treatment program, known as SHIELD, a 90-180-day housing program designed to assist veterans in stabilizing healthcare and financial concerns that have contributed to homelessness, and in entering supportive or permanent housing.
The transitional housing program at both locations lasts two years, offering veterans support and training to help in securing permanent employment and housing.