A North Topeka organization that served homeless veterans by providing a place for them to live, food to eat and training has closed its doors.
Quincy House, 1318 N.E. Quincy, where the veterans were housed, was vacant Friday. It closed its doors last week because of a lack of funding, said David Voss, a board member and general counsel for Quincy House.
The two-story home that served as the Quincy House is a rental property owned by Rental Management Solutions, Voss said. Donations and funding could no longer keep Quincy House afloat, so the three- member board made the decision to close the facility and relocate the veterans.
The five veterans who were living at Quincy House have been relocated to a wing of the Foundation House, 3401 N.E. Seward. The Foundation House serves veterans who have mental illness, such as post traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.
Kellie Everson, who started the Foundation House, has been named the new executive director of Quincy House, which has taken the new name of Forward March, Voss said.
"The goal of the organization is to help veterans get training, find a job and get on their feet," Voss said.
The Quincy House was able to house five veterans at once.
"We may be able to house six now," Voss said.
Attempts to reach Everson on Friday were unsuccessful.
Voss said the Quincy House board, composed of three people, including Voss, will remain intact and will now serve Forward March.
Former Quincy House director Cameron Taylor will remain on the board. Forward March will add two more board members, Voss said.
Taylor, who couldn't be reached for comment, accepted a new job and doesn't have the time to serve as executive director of the organization, Voss said.
Quincy House was started five years ago by the Rev. Timothy W. Sanders, who served nine years in the U.S. Army, according to previous Topeka Capital-Journal articles. Taylor took over as executive director in 2012 after Sanders moved from the area.
In a 2012 Capital-Journal article, Taylor said it took between $1,200 and $1,500 a month to "keep the lights on." Donations came from individuals and organizations.
Forward March will continue to seek donations, Voss said. However, he said the organization will also apply for grants. In order to apply for those grants, audits of Quincy House finances will take place.
The 2012 article also said veterans staying at Quincy House had to go through an application process and were asked to pay $320 a month for room and board.
Forward March is a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations are tax deductible, Voss said. Any donations can be sent in care of the Foundation House, 3401 N.E. Seward, Topeka, Kan. 66616.