South Carolina's first transitional house for women veterans opens in Spartanburg

A Spartanburg couple, who vowed to make sure veterans don't have to go homeless, is preparing to open their first transitional housing for women.

Travelle Mosley and her active military husband, Maj. Demetrick, will officially open their facility on Monday located in a house on St. Andrews Street. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Jan. 26.

The housing is the first of its kind for women veterans in South Carolina. The Mosleys said Spartanburg has shelters for women who are pregnant or victims of domestic violence, but nothing specific to women veterans needing assistance. They purchased their first transitional home for women in October. The home is centrally located downtown near the Mary Black Rail Trail, bus line and walkable to many restaurants.

The home currently has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a common area, dining room and kitchen; with plans to renovate the unfinished basement to provide more bedrooms and more living space to house additional women veterans.

The Mosleys created the housing through their nonprofit Operation Rehabilitation. The group was organized two years ago to get veterans off the streets and get them the help and services they need.

“No veteran in my belief should ever be homeless after selflessly serving our country,” said Travelle Mosley, founder and president of Operation Rehabilitation.

The nonprofit already has four transitional homes serving families and single men. While in the homes, the veterans are provided with case management services that include job placement, financial literacy, life skills, connections to the Veteran's Affairs so that they may receive their benefits, job placement, and more services.

The resources provide every tool the veteran may need to live a self-sustaining lifestyle and not return to homelessness. After graduating from the program, Operation Rehabilitation partners with organizations such as Spartanburg Housing Authority, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other programs to get the veterans and their families into permanent housing.

Mosley said the success rate of male veterans served through Operation Rehabilitation is currently at 100%, meaning all the men receiving services are now either homeowners or renting, and employed. She said the organization hopes to have similar success with the women veterans.

“The most rewarding part of this is seeing someone who comes in with nothing or very little, and in the end be able to purchase their own home,” Moseley said. “Seeing people change their lives, have this inner joy and peace, and be contributors to their society is rewarding.”

Operation Rehabilitation board member Sgt. Maj. Joe Tracy is glad to offer his time and services to help the women veterans.

“These ladies aren’t looking for a handout, but a hand up,” Tracy said. “These ladies need an opportunity.”

For more information about how to help Operation Rehabilitation, or if you know a veteran in need, visit www.operationrehabilitation.org or call 864-564-3943.