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GIVING BACK >> LOCAL CHARITIES
VETSPACE, INC. Mission: “To provide homeless veterans with resources, services, and referrals necessary to facilitate and maintain independent residential and employment/ financial stability.” VETSPACE, which stands for “Veterans Providing a Caring Environment,” is located at 1220 NE 8th Ave., Suite A in Gainesville. This organization provides bridge housing to homeless veterans, offering a helping hand to their families too. In 1999, VETSPACE was awarded its first supportive housing grant, and the nonprofit wasted no time in sheltering its first homeless veteran in 2000, according to vetspace.org. The organization started out by providing assistance in any possible way they could — whether that be covering the cost for a bus ticket back home for a terminally ill veteran, bicycles for those in need of transportation, helping to insure a veteran had necessary tools, uniforms and licenses for work, celebrating Christmas with children of homeless veterans and much more. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), there are nearly 40,000 homeless veterans on any given night, with 11 percent of the overall homeless population being those of veteran status. VETSPACE relies on the generosity of individuals who support the organization’s dedicated, ongoing work of helping homeless veterans. vetspace.org
“Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.” — EDMUND BURKE
MILL CREEK FARM Mission: “To provide lifetime care to elderly horses seized by law enforcement agencies, rescued by the SPCA or humane societies, as well as horses retired from government service such as police patrol or state and federal parks” (millcreekfarm.org) Retirement Home for Horses is located at 20307 NW C.R. 235A in Alachua. The organization provides care, attention and a forever home for rescued horses (not from private owners). Peter and Mary Gregory created the nonprofit in 1983, beginning 122 |
OUR TOWN MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017