Jonathan Silver writes for General Theological Seminary’s GTS News:
The Rev. Kelly Ayer (Class of 2010), rector at Zion Episcopal Church, Avon, New York, has devoted her ministry to formation of a transitional living home for homeless female veterans, Zion House, where she is Executive Director. She recently found an ally in New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who visited Zion House last month.
Gillibrand discussed the needs of female veterans with Ayer, the staff of Zion House, members of the Zion Episcopal Church, Bishop Prince Singh, staff from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and female vets who live or have lived in Zion House. Much of the conversation focused on the difficulties women face as active duty personnel and military veterans. Gillibrand said she and other elected officials are working to reduce sexually related attacks within the military, in addition to providing better ongoing help to female veterans.
“I think Zion House is a perfect example of what works,” the senator said. “What we can do is show this as an example to every community across our state and across the country. … There is such a gap in providing the services these veterans need. We’re solving it here at Zion House. We would need to do that all across the state, all across the country. And we should.”
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
