LIBERTY MANOR FOR VETERANS INC
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
October 12, 2009
I came to Liberty Manor homeless 2 years ago. I have had nothing but good exp with this organization, I am now the director for Liberty Manor for the last 3 months. (Input by GreatNonprofits staff member from paper review form)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen people go from homeless to there own apt and unemployed to employed.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
go nation wide.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Being part of it and being to help vets.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Great, they would drive 30 miles just to pic up vet and even more.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
They would be able to get 100,000 vets off the streets.
Ways to make it better...
I had a car.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
money or the lack of it.
One thing I'd also say is that...
give if you can, if not thank a vet today.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
September 20, 2009
As a participating legal advisor of this organization, I have found it necessary to ascertain factual basis. I also would like to caution anyone who post erroneous, fictitious or misleading comments on this site are subject to possible litigation and prosecution. Liberty Manor was recently investigation at the direction of a very disgruntled former resident, Jessie Taylor and three others that felt they were deserving of their deposits to be refunded. Florida Department of Consumer Services, specifically, the Bureau of Mediation and Enforcement conducted an investigation and found NO WRONGFUL PRACTICES by Liberty Manor and this organization was exonerated and the case was closed satisfactorily. The case number for your review is 0909-34993/BCB. The instigator of much of the negative comments comes from a live in girlfriend (Jenny) of one of one of the veterans that resided at Liberty Manor who was refunded his deposit. It was explained to counsel that Jenny was permitted to reside at Liberty Manor for over six months without being charged as a resident at the $500.00 rate. Liberty Manor supported her by providing food during those six months. According to the lease agreement signed by Jenny’s boyfriend Patrick, her residence at Liberty Manor was actually a violation of the terms in the lease agreement in which makes him ineligible for a deposit refund. She also had a dog that resided at the residence which today, the apartment continues to permeate with dog odor; this too violates the terms of the lease; however Liberty Manor refunded Patrick’s deposit though he failed to comply with the terms of the lease. Patrick did however reside at Liberty Manor exceeding the one year lease commitment. As you will evidence, Liberty Manor has been very lenient with their lease. I learned by talking with the CEO that Liberty Manor has the ability to litigate for the remainder of days, weeks or months when a resident falls short of the one year commitment, however, they contend they have never litigated against anyone to date. If this organization was in it for the money as alleged, they could profit better if they turned it into an Assisted Living Facility thereby receiving a minimum of $2,200.00 per bed instead of $500 a month they hope to receive as many residents skip. This organization seems to meet all of the requirements of an ALF by investing in the fire equipment and sprinkler system. Fact is, the only time they contend they have refused to refund a deposit was when residents failed to comply with the length of stay. Liberty Manor has never litigated against a veteran. ALL of the former residents that you have stated did not get their deposits refunded were because NONE of them completed the terms of the lease that THEY willfully signed! Interestingly, I was impressed with the number of deposits that staff at Liberty Manor procured on behalf of their indigent residents! I left convinced that the residents that didn't receive their deposits back were not entitled to a refund. It appears that Liberty Manor conducts business above board they did not hold anything back when asked, in fact they provided full disclosure. It seems that one resident Mr. Gregory who attempted in his pursuit to have his deposit refunded, arrived at Liberty Manor homeless with only the clothes on his back. They took him in, clothed him, feed him for months before they received as much as a penny for his rent. They assisted him by applying for a VA pension which he was not aware he was entitled. As a result, today, Mr. Gregory enjoys independent living due to Liberty Manor’s efforts - yet too is disgruntled and left with the three other individuals responsible for these negative postings. Individuals too, who have never owned a home or managed a program of this magnitude have absolutely no clue how much it cost to operate a program. First you must take into account the number of residents that skip without paying anything for months, and then you have the expenses associated with rental property insurance, property taxes, fire suppression equipment which cost $80,000! With that, Liberty Manor was required to install two20permanent telephone lines for the fire monitoring system, monthly fees for the monitoring company, costly annual inspections for the fire equipment, the sprinkler equipment and annual Fire and Fire extinguisher inspections. Then you have the cost for general repairs and upgrades (one air conditioner was $4,000), lawnmowers, garden tools, TV’s in every room, pots/pans (replace continually due to theft), electricity was $850.00 this month, water, cost for tools and equipment that turn up missing which is an astronomical expense, and the cost of the house $167,000.00! This leads me to another case point – if Connie Blaney was in this business merely for money, wouldn't it make more since to purchase a slum house instead of a $167,000.00 elegant home especially in light of the fact she could receive the same amount of rent money for the low end house! Instead, she purchased a pricey residence that includes a heated whirlpool spa in the master bedroom - I would venture to say that most individuals don't have a luxurious heated spa in their home, I know I don’t. I also want to disarm any of you that might give some of the negative postings any credibility because the Blaney’s took offense to the reference regarding the Toby Keith concert tickets that these individuals stated were probably sponsored by Liberty Manor. I requested evidence and the staff provided me with the necessary documentation that the tickets were purchased on Bill Blaney’s personal America Express credit card. Many of the allegations made are slanderous and erroneous which can result in a serious legal course of action. In conclusion, the Blaney family has proven their benevolence and done more for veterans than anyone in Tampa Bay, I have confidence that they would never do anything inappropriate thus I expect to continue supporting this initiative and serve as a volunteer providing legal services but I have to admit…I was concerned when I read some of these posting however, this organization complied with my request and was able to dispute all of the allegations posted to my satisfaction.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the capacity of reviewing legal complaince and Accounting practices.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
expand their service to meet the over whelming needs of the homeless veteran community. At the present time, all of their four properties are at capacity (which in itself speaks for their success), and have a waiting list
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the service that they render has a very high success rate.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
are professional and many have some splendid credentials.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
provide services to more deserving veterans.
Ways to make it better...
this organization received more assistance from the community and perhaps had more public exposure.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding as always the case with non profit organizations.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I would encourage others to consider partnership with this meritorious initiative.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
August 31, 2009
its been my experience with liberty manor that Connie Blaney goes out of her way to help veterans,she has drove over 150 miles to pick up a wheel chair for veterans. she has gave money to vets to get bus passes,she has given vets a place to stay without them haveing any rent money for months i my self would not be able to do that,but she does there should be a 1000 more Connie blaney in this world
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I myself was homeless and liberty manor help me get back on my feet,i seen liberty manor help many other veterans who had nothing at all, no money and no hope and no where eles to go but the streets with in 3-6 months had put there lives back on track
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
find more people like Connie WHO HELP VETS GET THERE LIVES BACK
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
was seeing veterans get there lives back
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
GREAT
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
she would used it help veterans
Ways to make it better...
I could have done more for this organization
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
finding funding for veterans to help them get there lives back,there is very little help for veterans who are homeless, thanks to the Connie Blaney in this world who do step up and help
One thing I'd also say is that...
ask another veterans who lives there how nice it is and where they would be if it was not for liberty manor
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
December 8, 2008
Liberty Manor For Veterans, Inc. has 3 residential facilities in the Tampa Bay area, serving Homeless and Disabled Veterans, providing them with housing, case management, employment counseling, and advocacy, Liberty Manor receives no Government funding, and is completely self supported through rent payments, and the generosity of the Tampa Bay Community.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The Veterans that arrive with nothing and leave self sufficient.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More proactive in Fund Raising.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The dedication of the staff and volunteers to help Veterans.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Very kind people, one lady comes every week on Thursday after work just to drive the Veterans to the grocery store.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help a lot of Homeless Veterans.
Ways to make it better...
Been more resources from the Veterans Administration to help these Veterans.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Lack of funding.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I have seen organizations that receive in excess of a Million dollars in the Tampa Bay area that do less for their clients then Liberty Manor which receives no funding, that is why I volunteer here.
Should this review be counted for a specific campaign?
Liberty Manor For Veterans, Inc.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews