DOING THE WORK. It takes a village to build a Village.
IMPACT REPORT 2023
SERVE VETERANS HOW WE WANT TO BE SERVED — WITH DIGNITY,
HUMILITY AND HONESTY
A Message From the CEO and Co-Founder
Since we first started offering services in 2017, Veterans Community Project has been helping Veterans navigate the complex and painful realities of homelessness by creating pathways to success. These pathways – quite literally the paths within each of our tiny home villages – lead to the safety, hope, and readiness of a new start. Every time we open a door, one more Veteran is safe and accounted for.
In 2023, thanks to your unwavering support, VCP is housing more Veterans than ever before in Kansas City, Longmont, St. Louis and Sioux Falls. Our Village residents not only experience the highest quality services available, but a community founded on dignity and respect.
As we push forward with an expansion into Milwaukee, WI, Glendale, AZ, and Oklahoma City, OK, I continue to be amazed at what a group of passionate people like you can do. You prove that VCP truly is armed with the strength and support of the community as the mission states.
I’m proud to share this report as a testament to the care and strength of our community. Together, we can accomplish more that we could have done on our own.
With gratitude,
Bryan Meyer CEO and Co-Founder Veterans Community Project
Being a Veteran in the United States makes you 50% more likely to become homeless than those who haven’t served in the military.
Our Core Values
Veterans Community Project's 15 Core Values drive everything we do to fulfill our mission. Our team embodies these values in their daily work and relies on them for decision-making. The icons and statements below in this Impact Report highlight our values in action.
VETERANS
MISSION
Veterans housing Veterans, armed with the strength and support of the community.
COMMUNITY
Operate confidently knowing the community will have our back
Harness the collective power and capacity of the community to serve Veterans
PROJECT
VCP Villages
VCP Villages at each Veterans Community Project location offer a specialized community of tiny homes with on-site, wrap-around support services designed to equip Veterans with the tools needed to return to a stable, prosperous, independent life.
With the support of their case managers and battle buddies, Veterans work to achieve incremental, lasting results in the areas of health and wellness, income stability, education and training, fiscal understanding, and the development of a personal support network.
Once the Veteran’s individual goals are met, VCP assists them in securing a permanent housing solution and transitioning to a new life.
85%
Residents who positively transition from VCP Village to achieve self-sustainable permanent housing
32
Number of new Veterans welcomed home into one of four VCP Villages across the country in 2023
DEMOGRAPHICS OF VETERANS SERVED IN 2023
GENDER Males (85.4%)
Females (13.2%)
Transgender (0.1%) Other (0.2%) Prefer not to say (1.2%)
1,530 at-risk and unhoused VETERANS received assistance through VCP
496
Average number of days a Veteran lives in VCP Village
60,024
Number of nights Veterans slept in their own tiny home instead of on the street since 2018
RACE
White (43.7%)
Black or African American (36.1%)
Asian (0.7%)
American Indian or Alaska Native (1.3%)
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (0.2%)
More than one race (2%)
Other (5.2%)
Prefer not to say (10.8%)
Veteran Outreach Services
Each location of Veterans Community Project offers Veteran Outreach Services be it through physical Outreach Centers or through community, street, and agency outreach. These services create a straight line to life-changing support for any Veteran in need regardless of time in service, discharge status or service type.
VCP assists Veterans with navigating the VA and their benefits, emergency assistance funds, housing, military identification services, mental and physical health referrals, financial counseling, and employment supports, among other services.
3,228
Visits by Veterans to a VCP Outreach Center to receive support
10,772 Life-changing services provided to Veterans
6,552 Pantry boxes, hygiene kits and snack bags distributed to Veterans and their families
2,171
New coats, boots, and other articles of clothing distributed
414
Number of Veterans who mitigated the threat of homelessness or other crisis with VCP case management and emergency assistance funds
$648
Average amount of emergency funds shared with a Veteran in crisis
ETHNICITY
“Working on the VCP of Longmont Village with this amazing family of volunteers is more than I could have dreamed of. I will look back on this as one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.”
VCP Volunteers are the fuel that keeps us going
5,988
Volunteers supported VCP in 2023
36,758
Hours of volunteer service
$1,168,904
Value to VCP
THE PROJECT IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: 900 Hours of Inspiring Others
At Veterans Community Project, volunteers like Rick Schwolsky epitomize the essence of community and service. Rick’s love for construction led him to VCP Village in Longmont, CO, where he found purpose as a volunteer. As a former Army engineer, Rick’s dedication is unwavering. He views this project as his most fulfilling endeavor yet, inspiring both fellow volunteers and his own family, who join him in service. With over 900 hours contributed, Rick’s commitment is truly inspiring. In his own words, “Working on VCP Village with this incredible volunteer family surpasses my wildest dreams. I will look back on this as one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.”
Rick Volunteering in Longmont Village, CO
INVEST IN THE LONG-TERM WELFARE, SUCCESS, AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THOSE WE SERVE
Veterans United Home Loans Enhances Lives Every Day
Since its founding, Veterans United has been a steadfast partner of VCP, providing critical funds to serve Veterans experiencing hardship and homelessness. In 2023, the Veterans United Foundation granted $100,000 for Veteran Support Services, and Veterans United Home Loans raised an additional $83,000 through a unique marketing initiative. Their team also volunteered over 50 hours at our Kansas City and St. Louis sites. To date, Veterans United and its Foundation have contributed over $1.3M to support our mission. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing support and dedication.
HARNESS THE COLLECTIVE POWER AND CAPACITY OF THE COMMUNITY
Wells Fargo Partnership Paves the Way to GMA Spotlight
Veterans Community Project proudly welcomed Good Morning America (GMA) to our St. Louis Village in November, supported by our partners at Wells Fargo. The GMA team showcased our mission in honor of Veterans Day.
This opportunity to highlight VCP’s crucial work was also a celebration of the partnership we have with Wells Fargo. Live on air, the Wells Fargo team surprised us with thousands of dollars’ worth of furnishings for the tiny homes and a $25,000 check! Their unwavering support illustrates the power of community and the collective impact we can make together.
A heartfelt shoutout to Wells Fargo for their unwavering backing and for spotlighting our partnership. Together, we’re changing Veterans’ lives, one story at a time.
INVEST IN LONG-TERM WELFARE, SUCCESS, AND SUSTAINABILITY
The Coca-Cola Foundation Invests in Pathways to Economic Empowerment
Amidst concerning Veteran unemployment rates, VCP acknowledges the pressing need for comprehensive support. With 54% of unemployed Veterans aged 25 to 54, intervention is crucial. Thanks to an investment from the Coca-Cola Foundation, Veterans Community Project launched the Career Support Services program in Kansas City.
This initiative offers hope to Veterans by providing career exploration, essential skills, and barrier removal. With volunteer Career Navigators and partners, VCP aims to bolster income stability and long-term success. In 2023, 55 Veterans enrolled. Thanks to the Coca-Cola Foundation, this program will now expand to our other locations, offering more Veterans pathways to economic empowerment.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BUILD A VILLAGE. YOU CAN HELP.
Enlist to Volunteer
It takes a community to build a Village. Volunteers help build and prepare tiny homes for Veterans, assist with community events, and much more.
Donate Goods
Donated food and hygiene items help Veterans get through the day while household items help turn our tiny houses into homes.
PROBLEM SOLVE WITH INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURISM, EFFICIENCY, AND GRIT
Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program
The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that approximately 18 Veterans die by suicide each day, underscoring the urgency of prevention efforts. In response, the VA launched the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, partnering with service providers to address the crisis.
VCP was among the first cohort of national grantees, focusing on assisting Veterans with navigating benefits, mental and physical health referrals, housing stability, and employment support. The program equips our Team with mental health screening tools and a direct line to the VA’s Suicide Prevention Coordinators. Through our services, VCP is dedicated to reducing suicide rates, revealing strength, and restoring hope within the Veteran community.
Join Our Mission
Honor Corps is a community of dedicated, action-minded individuals who commit to investing in the lives of Veterans in need. Your easy monthly gift sustains the services offered to Veterans in need.
Raise Mission-Critical Funds
Volunteers organize and host unique events to raise awareness and funds to support our mission of ending Veteran homelessness. These grassroots efforts are part of our DNA.
Reclaiming Dignity: A Gift of Self Care
In a remarkable twist of fate, a Marine Corps Veteran, homeless for four years, found himself at a crossroads intersecting with VCP’s mission. By chance, he met VCP Co-Founder Mark Solomon during a community event near the tiny home site. This encounter ignited a newfound determination to reclaim his health and dignity.
Reconnecting months later with the VCP Team, he was ready to take the next step in his journey and explored housing options with the Team. The tiny home Village was the just the right fit and with unwavering dedication, the Team ensured his transition was extraordinary, coinciding with his birthday. Thanks to our incredible supporters, his birthday became a celebration of hope and new beginnings, showcasing VCP’s life-changing impact. We stand behind and cheer for this Veteran as he celebrates his birthday by reclaiming his life, showing that true self-care is the ultimate gift to oneself.
WE ARE WHO WE SERVE
Our Leaders
Our dedicated Team is driven by Veterans Community Project’s core values and works diligently each day to serve Veterans with dignity, humility, and honesty. We strive to harness the collective power of the community to achieve our mission and at every turn, we seek to be innovative, entrepreneurial, and adapt to the different needs of Veterans.
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ROBERT “BOB” REYMOND
Board Chair
Burns & McDonnell, President — Oil, Gas & Chemical
B. CALEB JACKSON
Board Financial Committee Chair
David Kemper Woods Veterans Foundation, Executive Director
MARK SOLOMON
Co-Founder, Veterans Community Project
Keller Williams REALTOR® , Realtor
JASON THOMAS
MyFloc, an AARP Innovation Labs
Portfolio Company, Co-Founder
GERI WOODS
Rohadfox Corporation Chief Operating Officer
LEADERSHIP TEAM
BEN HENDERSHOT
Vice President of National Expansion
JASON KANDER
President of National Expansion
SARA LOAR
National Director of People Experiences
BRANDONN MIXON
Co-Founder & Chief Project Officer
VINCENT MORALES
Co-Founder & Veteran Services Program Manager
LIZ MUELLER
National Director of Corporate Partnerships
RIA SORRELL
National Director of Accounting
EXECUTIVE TEAM
BRYAN MEYER Co-Founder & CEO
ANGELA GUM Chief Financial Officer
VANESSA VAN GOETHEM-PIELA Chief Operating Officer
VICTORIA STEMPLEMAN
National Director of Brand & Marketing
WILL TRAIN
National Director of Programming
CHRIS ADMIRE
Executive Director, Kansas City, MO
JOHN HOLTER
Executive Director, Sioux Falls, SD
JENNIFER SEYBOLD
Executive Director, Longmont, CO
REBECCA TALLMAN
Executive Director, St. Louis, MO
Headquartered in Kansas City, MO, Veterans Community Project offers outreach services and transitional tiny home Villages to Veterans in need in Kansas City, Longmont, CO, Sioux Falls, SD and St. Louis, MO. We are actively expanding to Milwaukee, WI, Glendale, AZ and Oklahoma City, OK.
