About Us
Our Staff & Volunteers
Board of Directors: The Board of Directors is comprised of five professionals and
Veterans within the Athens County region George McCarthy, Tom Abrahamson, Debby Fulks, Heather Figueroa, George Kidder.
Areas of expertise and/or experience are, but
not limited to: Ohio Criminal Court, Business Ownership, Board of Directors Members
of Various Nonprofits, Community Leaders, Community Event Organizers, Sober Living
Administration.
Founder/President/Executive Director: Judge George McCarthy is the Founder,
President and Executive Director of the organization. Judge McCarthy founded and
operates the Athens County Veterans Treatment Court that litigates Veteran felony
criminal cases and connects those participants with treatment, counselling, recovery,
continued sobriety, stable housing and working in the community. The court has
operated since 2015 and has been recertified four times by the Ohio Supreme Court’s
Specialized Dockets Section under Judge McCarthy’s initiative and direction.
Judge McCarthy has successfully obtained an annual grant of $20,000 for the Veteran Court
Program used to assist its participants. He helped obtain and implement the Athens
Common Pleas Clerk of Courts E-filing system through an Ohio Supreme Court Tech Grant of $200,000.
He has updated the technology used in the court room and courthouse as well through additional grants.
Judge McCarthy serves as both a Board Member and volunteer for
various not-for-profits including Athens Area Stand Down, The TBI Foundation, Athens Sandlot,
Athens Banner Project, and previously the Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation.
He is the co-Founder and current President
of the Athens Area Stand Down which holds an annual event that distributes good and
services to Veterans that are displaced or in-need since 2016. Judge McCarthy continues
his devotion to the region and Athens County. He has recently become a life member of
the Richland Area Fire Department after 25 years of volunteer service.
Vice President Tom Abrahamson: Navy veteran (Vietnam). He has volunteered his time and fundraised for numerous organizations including as President at the Native American Education Association Inc.
Treasurer Debby Fulks: Owner Court Street Coffee, Kiwanis Club of Athens Treasurer, Salvation Army Emergency Funds Committee
Secretary Heather Figueora: Life Member of Auxiliaries of VFW, AMVETS, and American Legion. Current Ohio VFW Auxiliary Chaplin, in line to be Dept. of Ohio President in 2028.
Member George Kidder: Navy Veteran (Vietnam Era). Founder of Kidder Entertainment of Ohio. Board of The TBI Foundation. Valor Retreat.
Member Jayne Darling: Air Force Veteran. Co-Founder Serenity Grove (Women Sober Living). Operator - Ornery vets Collective (Providing Free Weekly Lunches to Veterans/Supporting Sobriety)
Volunteers
Heroes Haven for Veterans Inc. was founded in December 2024. The
organization has obtained $15,000 in donations for a like-minded project. The Board of
Directors and Volunteers, prior to the formation of this organization, have raised
approximately $1.1 million dollars for community events and projects as individuals or as
partners of various works.
Our history
Heroes Haven for Veterans Inc. was founded in December 2024. In 2025, the organization has obtained $16,500 in donations from folks including from Athens AMVETS 76, Nelsonville Elks and Athens AMVETS 76 RIDERS who support our vision. The Board of Directors and Volunteers, prior to the formation of this organization, have raised approximately $1.1 million dollars for community events and projects as individuals or as partners of various works.
Our mission
Our goal is to provide transitional and homeless short-term housing for veterans who have completed drug/alcohol treatment and for displaced veterans. Our immediate goal is to raise $500,000 to help us purchase or build a transitional housing unit and to provide ongoing counselling services.