Impact Report JANUARY - JUNE 2023
vcp.org
GAINING GROUND FOR VETERANS. Thank you for standing alongside Veterans Community Project on the journey of ending Veterans homelessness. With your support, we have made significant strides to build secure, stable housing for Veterans experiencing homelessness in Longmont, St. Louis, and Sioux Falls. With the help of volunteers and local contractors, work is progressing to bring additional tiny homes online to reach a greater number of Veterans with transitional housing. Our Outreach Centers in Kansas City and Longmont continue to provide critical support services to the community as well. Emergency assistance funds, food, and resource referrals help Veterans meet the challenges of day-to-day living and build a stronger foundation for the future. We’re excited to report that our St. Louis Outreach Center will open its doors in August but the team is already making an impact through our community partners. As always, your unwavering support is instrumental in driving VCP’s mission forward. We’re proud to share this glimpse of what you’ve already made possible this year. With gratitude,
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Brandonn Mixon Co-Founder, Veterans Community Project
Today, our Outreach team and some of our community partners did a routine wellness check on this Veteran. He has lived in his encampment since 1996 and doesn’t plan to leave anytime soon. He happily accepted some supplies and another business card with our contact information. Respecting a Veteran’s choices is also part of housing with dignity. Carol Vlahos VCP Case Manager and Navy Veteran
YOUR Q1-Q2 IMPACT.
548
At-risk & unhoused Veterans served
1,974
New coats, boots, and other articles of clothing distributed
3,385
Pantry boxes, hygiene kits, and snack bags distributed to Veterans and their families
$786
Average number of emergency assistance dollars shared with a Veteran in crisis
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138 Number of Veterans who mitigated the threat of homelessness or another crisis by utilizing VCP case management and emergency assistance funds
96
Average number of Veterans attending Commisary Day each month
9
Number of Veterans who moved into VCP Village
8
Number of new VCP Village alumni
1,656
Number of Veteran visit to a VCP Outreach Center
FROM PAIN TO PROMISE This spring, a 28-year-old Navy Veteran came to the VCP Outreach Center in Longmont seeking help. A woman of immense courage, she and her children had embarked on a harrowing journey away from the suffocating grip of domestic violence. As if that wasn’t enough, the Veteran recently underwent cancer treatment, including invasive surgery. She struggled with her postop care, visiting the ER at least once due to complications. VCP’s case management team quickly activated their network of support to ensure the family wasn’t forced to live in her car. While covering the costs of a hotel, the team worked with community partners to gain access to VA medical care closer to their new location and connected her with a voucher program to offset future housing costs. After helping the Veteran secure an apartment, VCP paid the first month of rent to allow her some time to heal and rebuild. Determined and resourceful, she teamed up with her VCP case manager to find a job that met her family’s needs, all while undergoing chemotherapy and autoimmune treatments. Thanks to you and your generosity, a safe and promising chapter is unfolding for this Veteran and her children. You’ve helped open new doors that will positively change the trajectory of their lives. Because of you, another Veteran felt the strength and support of this community. OUR MISSION:
Veterans housing Veterans, armed with the strength and support of the community.
Q1-Q2 HIGHLIGHTS.
This Coast Guard Veteran was the first Village alum of the year. While at VCP, she applied for college and was accepted to the University of West Florida!
With the snow melting, Longmont’s Mobile Outreach team resumes their work serving Veterans in CO’s rural and mountain communities.
After the Chiefs Super Bowl win, Coach Andy Reid visited the Kansas City Village for a special Q&A session and “locker room” talk with our Veterans.
The VCP Commissary continues to grow with over 127 Veterans shopping on a single day in April.
A group of students present residents with handcrafted wood flags. Overwhelmed, the Veterans ask each student to sign the back in gratitude.
Sioux Falls post the colors for the first time celebrating the completion of the first five tiny homes.
Longmont hosts their first ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of the Village Center in May.
AMVETS’ nationwide tour stops at VCP and Co-Founder Vincent Morales speaks on behalf of Veteran suicide awareness.
Produce grown by Chow Hall Farms, a hydroponics program hosted at VCP, appears on local menus in time for the summer.
EXPANDING OUR REACH. Community isn’t just VCP’s middle name It remains at the heart of our mission, as demonstrated by agency-wide partnerships. Whether they be civic, philanthropic, and programmatic, these partnerships allow us to expand services, connect Veterans with essential resources, and advocate for those who once served us.
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STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT, DECISIVE IMPACT VCP’s national corporate sponsors are much like an aerial refueling unit, helping extend our mission’s reach and impact beyond our operational range.
Veterans United Foundation is excited to help Veterans Community Project get its start in St. Louis. We look forward to the great work VCP will do helping Veterans get back on their feet in the community, just as they have across the state in Kansas City. With our own expanding presence in St. Louis, we are excited that we get to continue our work with VCP and we encourage other companies to partner with this great organization, too. Dr. Amanda Andrade Chief People Officer Veterans United Home Loans
Special thanks to the following for generously sharing resources, influence, and manpower to welcome more Veterans home.
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OUR MISSION Veterans housing Veterans, armed with the strength and support of the community
vcp.org
VCP National Headquarters 8900 Troost Ave Kansas City, MO 64131 (816) 599-6503