A fresh coat of paint, revamped living areas and an overall facelift means much for the Five Star Veterans Center.
But purging itself of the beleaguered name it once held likely will mean more to its survival and success.
Five Star was once known as the Allied Veterans Center. That was until 57 people tied to Allied Veterans of the World were arrested, most charged with gambling and money laundering offenses tied to the operation of Internet cafes.
Along with the news came a financial and public relations blow for the veterans center, a separate organization that received almost all of its funding from the now-tainted group.
"We were guilty by association," said Len Loving, a retired Marine colonel.
Loving, 75, and his wife, Suzie, 69, are two of the three senior staff officials who run the nonprofit center that provides housing to displaced and homeless veterans and sets them on a structured "Passport to Independence" program. The track generally takes up to a year and helps with finding a job or finishing school and setting the veterans up to live independently.
Most of the residents the center takes in are several years removed from service and are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and has an eroded support system. Since it opened in March 2012, the center has had 35 "graduates."
"We give pride, ownership," said Suzie Loving. "A hand up, not a handout."
Despite the mission, the ties to Allied Veterans threatened the Lovings' goal. Change was essential.
The board in place at the time resigned after being arrested as part of the probe, replaced by a three-member board of attorneys. The metamorphosis continued when the center's name was changed soon after.
In September, the organization received what Len Loving said was a huge lift when the center was declared free and clear of having any assets seized as part of the Allied Veterans case.
Attorneys Michael and Helen Atter helped the organization pro bono through those legal issues and continue to assist. Michael Atter has known the Lovings for almost 20 years and said they are the right people to help veterans, a group he thinks aren't supported as much as they should.
Yet, without a dedicated funding source, it's been a struggle.
"They really were left with nothing," Atter said.
In its first 16 months, the center received about $2.7 million to become operational.
At the time of the arrests in March, the center had about $60,000 in the bank, which the Lovings have used to offset operational costs that donations haven't covered.
Neither has taken a paycheck since and "it doesn't look too good in the future, either," Len Loving said.
The center at the end of last week had 20 residents.
A barebones operation typically costs about $12,000 a month, with the largest expenses being about $1,800 a month in liability insurance and another $2,800-$3,200 in utilities.
Despite that, Loving said he is "not satisfied with the status quo."
Instead, he has a bigger vision, one in which the center can house more than double what it does now while providing additional services.
Slowly, Loving said other parts of the community seem to be coming around.
In the past couple of months, the Lovings have hosted a couple of organizations that could provide financial support and are in a review phase.
Donations from the public help keep operations afloat and "always are deeply appreciated," Loving said.
And, members of the legal community, such as the Atters and attorney Allen Poucher, continue to assist the organization and its residents pro bono. Loving said the legal representation can drastically improve residents' cases in courts.
One of the larger — and noticeable — boosts came in recent weeks, when Home Depot workers and volunteers arrived en masse to provide fresh paint, landscaping and update a living quarter's wing. The effort was part of the Home Depot Foundation "Celebration of Service" campaign to support veterans.
With the updates and changes, Loving said he is optimistic about the organization moving forward.
He's trying to shift perceptions, too.
Loving's presentation to the community and potential supporters has always addressed the Allied Veterans scandal, trying to provide assurance and security. Now, he's putting together a piece that avoids it altogether — too much has changed.
"I'm focusing on the future," he said.
(904) 356-2466