Brian Conceicao looks on as Julius Winans, Navy veteran, puts groceries he purchased away at the Veterans Transition House in New Bedford. Mr. Conceicao, a Navy veteran and former resident of the VTH for two years, received a master’s degree in social work from Bridgewater State University. PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
NEW BEDFORD — Brian Conceicao felt a calling to work for the New Bedford Veterans Transition House.
And it was the right call.
He was working for the city Department of Public Infrastructure at the time, but the Navy veteran had lived at VTH for two years and benefited from VTH programs.
Today, Conceicao is a VTH case manager specializing in helping vets with housing needs. He has earned an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree and on May 14 he received his master’s degree in social work.
Brian Conceicao, SSVF Case Manager, speaks with one of the veterans housed at the Veterans Transition House in New Bedford. Mr. Conceicao, a Navy veteran and resident of the VTH for two years, received a master’s degree in Social Work from Bridgewater State University. PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
A dark time in Conceicao’s life
His 20-year anniversary with VTH as a staff member is Sept. 11.
He notes the starting date. Conceicao was in the service during the 9/11 attacks, having served from 1999 to 2002.
“I was on active duty for three years. I worked down in the engine room,” Conceicao said.
“I saw some stressful times during my service. I got out of the Navy in 2002 and came back here to New Bedford,” he said during a recent interview in his VTH office at 1297 Purchase St.
It was a dark time in his life, and he was struggling with addiction and mental health issues, he said.
Brian Conceicao makes his way up to the second floor of the Veterans Transition House in New Bedford. Mr. Conceicao, a Navy veteran and former resident of the VTH for two years, received a master’s degree in Social Work from Bridgewater State University. PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
He made the transition from resident to staff member from 2004 to 2006. “Working with the counselors, working with the other veterans, I started to feel kind of a calling to service here.”
“I ended up going into Bristol Community College. I went into the Human Services Program and that started my journey on social services,” Conceicao said.
He went on to obtain his bachelor’s and master’s from Bridgewater State University. The master’s graduation ceremony was May 14.
The 45-year-old New Bedford native and 1999 NBHS graduate, who lives in the city with his wife, two children and their four dogs, said he wasn’t sure if he would pursue a doctorate.
“Who knows? I wouldn’t rule anything out. After high school I never thought I’d go to college to begin with. Then I got the associate’s. I thought I was going to stop at the bachelor level and I ended up in the master’s program so I guess I wouldn’t rule anything out as far as a Ph.D. in the future,” he said.
Brian Conceicao checks in on Tony Martin, Army, at the Veterans Transition House in New Bedford. Mr. Conceicao, a Navy veteran and former resident of the VTH for two years, received a master’s degree in Social Work from Bridgewater State University. PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
What is his role with VTH?
In his role as Supportive Services for Veterans and Families case manager, Conceicao helps VTH meet the needs of the homeless veterans that they serve.
“We work with homeless vets, help them get placed into apartments. We work with veteran families who are maybe already in their apartments but are struggling to maintain their units for whatever reason. It could be financial. It could be other issues. So, we try and assist them on maintaining their housing,” he said.
VTH also provides employment training, transportation, supportive services for veterans’ families, an outreach center and a cafeteria/meals program.
A veteran seeking help can contact VTH or just walk into 1297 Purchase St., and get an intake to determine eligibility and services. If there’s a case worker available, it would happen immediately.
Brian Conceicao, right, speaks with VTH resident Jim Otwell, Navy, at the Veterans Transition House in New Bedford. Mr. Conceicao, a Navy veteran and former resident of the VTH for two years, received a master’s degree in social work from Bridgewater State University.PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times
There’s a staff of about 25 between full- and part-time personnel.
“We work with the veteran,” Conceicao said. Clinical staff “meet them where they’re at.”
Conceicao added he could envision himself working at VTH another 20 years. He said with a smile, “I’m certainly not in a rush to leave here.”
Conceicao said, “The work environment is great. That’s one of the things that has kept me here. All the staff are really great. We help one another. It’s a really team friendly environment.”
Katie LeFort, clinical treatment director, meets with Brian Conceicao, case manager, at the Veterans Transition House in New Bedford. Mr. Conceicao, a Navy veteran and former resident of the VTH for two years, received a master’s degree in social work from Bridgewater State University. PETER PEREIRA/The Standard-Times