Veterans Community Project - St. Louis

ST . LO UI S

Veterans housing Veterans, armed with the strength and support of the community

ROLL CALL VETERAN HOMELESSNESS IN AMERICA

On a single night in January 2022, volunteers counted 33,129 Veterans who were experiencing homelessness in the United States. Tens of thousands more were uncounted, living in secluded camps, couch surfing, sleeping in cars, or hidden in plain sight.

Studies show that the Veteran population is 2x more likely to become chronically homeless than other groups of people. Approximately 20% of homeless males are Veterans, while female Veterans are the fastest growing demographic of unsheltered people in the United States.

The root causes of Veteran homelessness are varied and complex. Long periods of unemployment, mental and/or physical illness, substance abuse, and a breakdown of traditional networks of support, while in the service all contribute to a Veteran’s loss of basic human needs.

“I was getting my ass kicked on the streets. Being robbed, getting sick. Anything could happen. It was chaos. Every day something would go bad.”

33,129+

89% Received an honorable discharge

HOMELESS MEN AND WOMEN ONCE SERVED OUR COUNTRY

50% Are 51 or older; 47% served in Vietnam

51% Have servicerelated disabilities

- Mike, Army Veteran, Age 62

MANIFESTO

STANDING IN THE GAP

We are Veterans Community Project (VCP), a team of connectors, feelers, and doers on a mission to help our kin, our kind. We move with swift, bold action, motivated by the sacred rule of leave no man behind.

We believe that a Veteran is anyone who raised a right hand and took the oath to protect our Constitution, regardless of discharge status or type of service. We are privately funded, armed with the strength and support of our community. We are ready and willing to respond with compassion to any brother or sister in need.

OUR MISSION:

Veterans Community Project is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by a group of combat Veterans in Kansas City, Missouri.

From left to right: Bryan Meyer (U.S. Marine Corps), Brandonn Mixon (U.S. Army), Vincent Morales (U.S. Army), and Mark Solomon (U.S. Navy).

Veterans housing Veterans, armed with the strength and support of the community.

VCP VILLAGE

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Our solution to forever end Veteran homelessness is simple: provide Veterans a home with dignity and honorable services that make them a successful member of the community again.

VCP Village - KC is a specialized community of 49 tiny homes with on-site, wraparound support services designed to equip our Veterans with the tools needed to return to a stable, prosperous, independent life.

Each tiny house provides everything a Veteran needs to live with dignity and security; new furniture, appliances, housewares, bedding, personal items, and utilities - all free of charge.

The VCP Village Community Center serves as “base camp” for the residents and provides medical, dental, and veterinarian offices, a fellowship hall, and other support services.

The Village offers sanctuary and the emotional space needed for each Veteran and VCP’s specially-trained team to thoroughly address the underlying causes of his or her homelessness.

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 him or her in securing a permanent housing solution and transitioning to a new life.

320 sqft

Size of family unit, which can sleep up to 5 people

240 sqft

Size of tiny house including fully functional kitchen and bathroom

11 months

Average length of stay in VCP VIllage

BATTLE BUDDIES CREATING A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT

The residents of VCP Village represent every branch of the military and nearly 5 generations of service. Approximately 10% of the Veterans are women.

The residents’ shared experiences of service - and homelessness - create a unique and powerful sense of community.

When Steve moved into the Village, his main priority was to re-establish a relationship with his daughter, Bella. For the year he was homeless, Steve was unable to care for her, adding to his deep sense of anxiety and despair. Three months after moving into his tiny house, Steve

received partial custody and “started to feel like a father again.”

This personal victory for Steve felt like a victory for the entire Village. His fellow Veterans surround him with support; the mothers and fathers in the Village offer parenting advice and several of his battle buddies provide rides so Steve doesn’t miss a weekend visit, school program, or birthday party.

When a Veteran knows someone has his or her back, their fear is diminished, strength is revealed, and hope is restored. It takes a Village to heal a village.

VCP OUTREACH CENTER CONNECTING VETERANS TO CRITICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Many Veterans fail to receive the services they need because access to them is confusing to navigate. According to a recent study, 14 of the 20 Veterans who die by suicide on a daily basis are not connected to the VA or other support agency.

EMERGENCY FUNDS

Rent and utility assistance can help a Veteran in crisis avoid homelessness.

The VCP Outreach Center creates a straight line to life-changing support. Regardless of time in service, discharge status, or service type, VCP is ready to help.

Our staff 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.

In addition, Veterans can receive hygiene kits, food from the pantry, or other basic necessities. All services are free of charge to any person who has taken the oath to defend our Constitution.

By greatly reducing barriers to access, VCP strives to not only prevent Veteran homelessness but radically impact the crisis of Veteran suicide in our community. VCP distributes food and hygiene items to Veterans in need.

FOOD & HYGIENE

VCP CAMPUS

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

Veterans Community Project has a long-term goal of eliminating Veteran homelessness nationwide.

Using Kansas City as a blueprint, VCP has begun its work of serving Veterans experiencing homelessness across the United States, starting with St. Louis, Missouri.

Located on a nearly 4-acre property in North St. Louis, the VCP of St. Louis campus includes a village of 50 tiny homes and an Outreach Center to provide walk-in support services for any Veteran in the St. Louis metro area.

VCP Village provides sanctuary and the

individualized, wrap-around support services needed for each Veteran to thoroughly address the underlying causes of his or her homelessness. Homes range in size from 240-320 sqft and are fully furnished at no cost to the Veteran.

The VCP Outreach Center is designed for Veterans requiring critical services such as emergency rent and utility assistance, food and hygiene kits, employment supports, military documentation and benefits navigation, and case management.

Before I got to VCP, I was at a standstill. I felt like I had a brick wall in front of me and a brick wall behind me. They helped remind me who I am. I am not the same person I was when I walked in the door of the tiny house. - Kyle, U.S. Army Veteran

GET INVOLVED

SERVE THOSE WHO SERVED US

Veterans Community Project is the community's project. What began as a grassroots effort in Kansas City, Missouri has become a national movement. Thousands of volunteers build or maintain the Village, organize donation drives, host fundraisers, provide hospitality at the Outreach Center, pack hygiene bags, or find other meaningful ways to serve those who served us.

We are one team with one fight.

Do more than say “thank you” to a Veteran for their service. Join our mission and help ensure that those who fought for your freedom can live with dignity.

Volunteer

It takes a community to build a Village! VCP volunteers help build and prepare the houses for Veterans, manage administrative duties, assist VCP with community events, and much more.

Donate

VCP is community funded! Corporate and individual donations help provide and maintain housing and one-on-one case management for Village residents along with critical outreach services for Veterans in crisis. Learn more about monthly giving, corporate sponsorship and ongoing Village support by visiting our website.

Share

Spread the Word! Stay up to date on VCP news and learn about community events by following us on social media or subscribing to our monthly Intel Brief newsletter.

Donations

Veterans Community Project

VCP Outreach Center

1515 N Grand Blvd St. Louis, MO 63106 (314) 501-2810

Scan to donate securely online

VCPisa501(c)3nonprofit corporationEIN47-4960735

1515 N Grand Blvd