Fundraising for The Easthampton Lodging House Project

The Easthampton Lodging House project is about more than bringing a building back to life… it’s about restoring purpose, community, and connection. In partnership with the City of Easthampton, Massachusetts, we are working to transform a historic property into a place where veterans and neighbors can come together, grow, and thrive.

With the combined strength of Duty First Capital, Advocates for Human Potential, and the Farmer Veteran Coalition, our mission is simple: to create a safe, dignified space where veterans can live, work the land, and build a new sense of purpose through community, agriculture, and shared responsibility. The site at 75 Oliver Street will become a home, a training ground, and a place of healing, not just for those who live there, but for Easthampton as a whole.

Our team brings decades of experience in housing, behavioral health, project finance, veteran support, and public-private partnerships. We’ve led major funding initiatives, served in uniform, worked in boardrooms, and built programs that last. But at our core, we are people who believe in service, service to those who’ve worn the uniform, and service to the communities that support them. We believe in Easthampton. We believe in this project. And we’re ready to bring the time, talent, and commitment needed to see it through. Together, with veterans, local leadership, and the people of this city, we’re building something that reflects the values we all share… hard work, friendship, integrity, and a better future for all.

This isn’t just about redevelopment. This is about doing what’s right.

Here is a summary of where things are to date

Duty First Capital, alongside partners Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) and the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), recently traveled to Easthampton, Massachusetts, at the invitation of Mayor Nicole LaChapelle. The purpose: to assess and begin planning for the revitalization of the Historic Town Lodging House at 75 Oliver Street.

This site is more than just a building, it’s a piece of Easthampton’s story, and it holds incredible promise for what comes next. With the right team, vision, and leadership, this property has the potential to become a national model of what’s possible when veteran support, sustainable agriculture, behavioral health, and historic preservation intersect. Following a productive site visit and discussions with city leadership, a formal Letter of Intent was submitted on June 5, 2025. The LOI outlines a shared vision to transform the property into a mission-forward campus that serves veterans, creates local jobs, and contributes to community resilience.

Next 60-Day Objectives

• Finalize funding commitments and operational plans

• Engage formally with the City of Easthampton’s procurement and legal teams

• Submit required documentation to support the property transfer

• Begin early-stage design and renovation planning

Strategic Value

This project is a chance to put boots on the ground and build something lasting. It reflects DFC’s commitment to service-oriented leadership and cross-sector collaboration. By blending behavioral health services, agricultural training, and housing for veterans into a single historic site, the initiative offers a bold blueprint for other towns and cities.

This is where mission meets momentum. The path forward is clear, and the team is ready to execute.

Duty First Capital Celebrates Tampa Office Grand Opening and Looks to the Future

We’re thrilled to share that Duty First Capital (DFC) has officially opened its new Tampa office—a milestone marked by a spirited ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Daniel Collings, Vice President of the Administrative Services Entity (ASE) at Advocates for Human Potential (AHP). More than just a new address, this office stands as a beacon of hope and innovation for tackling critical social challenges. Florida’s rapid growth demands forward-thinking solutions in areas ranging from behavioral health and veteran assistance to housing and workforce development, and DFC is ready to meet these needs head-on.

Following the success of ASE, which Mr. Collings joined in 2022 to build from the ground up, DFC emerges as an independent subsidiary that will focus on non-behavioral health markets—such as veteran issues, disaster recovery, and green energy—while ASE continues to manage grant funds for behavioral health-oriented projects. This strategic structure allows AHP to stay true to its core mission of advancing behavioral health initiatives, even as DFC branches out to capture adjacent markets. Deputy Director of ASE, Valerie Everett, will move into the Interim Director role, ensuring that ASE remains strong and effective. As AHP President and CEO Noah Shifman notes, “We are excited to see how Duty First Capital grows and are pleased that Dan will assume leadership.”

Our expansion in Tampa also underscores our broader commitment to community-centered work, as evidenced by our sponsorship of the Florida Conference on Ending Homelessness. At this influential event, AHP’s own Dr. Deme Hill, D.P.A., delivered a keynote address, spotlighting the power of cross-sector collaboration in addressing homelessness. By partnering with passionate organizations and leaders, we aim to spark transformative change—whether it’s streamlining grant management, developing innovative housing initiatives, or expanding workforce opportunities.

With the new Tampa office up and running, Duty First Capital looks forward to forging new partnerships, driving impactful projects, and championing the needs of communities across Florida and beyond. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us in celebrating this new chapter, and we can’t wait to work together toward a brighter, more inclusive future.