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VictriVillage A Planned Community for our Military, Veterans and Families
He turned to them and said, “With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you; I most devoutly wish that your later days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.” – George Washington’s farewell to his troops –
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It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again. Who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause. Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. – Theodore Roosevelt, The Man in the Arena –
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VictriVillage A Planned Community for our Military, Veterans and Families
He turned to them and said, “With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you; I most devoutly wish that your later days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.” – George Washington’s farewell to his troops –
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Invisible Wounds of War The Gallup Poll periodically ranks our country’s “most important problem.” In their recent results, only 1% mentioned the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Given the sacrifice of over 2 million men and women in uniform and the impact on millions more who are members of their families, this response seems incomprehensible! Support for our American troops must become an area in which we US citizens walk our talk! It is true that our Nation, our US Departments of Defense and Veteran Affairs have worked to improve services to returning warriors. Minnesota is a national leader in warrior reintegration with programs such as “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon,” “CORE,” “Strengthening Military Families,” and Veterans Resource Centers at colleges and other public and private non-profit programs. Nevertheless, the need continues to be overwhelming. Though many have found their way to successful programs . . . many more have not. beyond $1 trillion just to treat veterans of Afghanistan and While most Americans have been focused on jobs and the
Iraq for the next 40 years. In addition, with multiple tours,
economy, these 2 million men and women out of a population
there is a greater likelihood of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
of 300 million have been sarcastically described by some as
(PTSD), which is often coupled with substance abuse,
“over-employed.” Our military, including Reserve and National
domestic violence and the unique health and social cost
Guard troops, have been deployed and re-deployed multiple
created due to the numbers of women deployed. Dubbed
times since the wars began in 2001 (almost a decade ago).
the “signature wounds” of these wars, PTSD and Traumatic
Deployment alone does not create the greatest cost to our
Brain Injury (TBI) make it harder for veterans to reintegrate
society today. Economists estimate that the cost will go
into society with each additional tour. RAND Corporation, in its 2008 study, “Invisible Wounds of War,” estimated up to 1/3 of those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan were suffering PTSD, TBI or major depression. Obviously, this is not just an economic or jobs issue, nor is it only an issue of human potential and family life difficulties. The CEO of a job service that teaches vets how to translate their military experience into civilian employment says, “This is an issue of National Security. When American kids see veterans without jobs, without health care, without education, then they’re just going to see military service as a dead-end career and they won’t sign up.” Ultimately, this becomes an issue of the American spirit . . . the human spirit.
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“A warrior is a servant of civilization and its future – guiding, protecting, and passing on information and wisdom. A warrior is devoted to causes he judges to be more important than himself or any personal relationships or gain.” Ed Tick, PhD. “War and the Soul”
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Need by the Numbers 2,000,000 Americans have served in the Global War on Terror since September 11, 2001. Among them . . .
• 500,000+ are unemployed or unable to support
themselves.
• 300,000+ suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD).
• 320,000+ have Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).
• 300,000+ have filed for disability.
• 107,000 are homeless on any given night.
• 300 veteran arrests per month in Ft. Carson, CO alone.
And, additionally for women . . .
• 30%+ were victims of rape or assault while they were
serving = twice the civilian rate. Suicide at an all-time high . . .
• 60% increase since 2005.
• 5,000 veterans take their lives each year (a 35% rate
higher for Iraq veterans than for the general population).
• 1 more suicide occurs every 36 hours.
• In 2010, 498 active duty veterans committed suicide
while 496 were killed in Iraq.
Each of these numbers represents someone’s son or daughter. Many of them are someone’s father or mother. All of them are our friends and neighbors. Many are seeking help . . .
In a September 2010 VA report, officials said that “Suicide
prevention efforts were failing partly because troops do not
• 53% of returning troops who met the criteria for PTSD
or major depression sought help from a provider in
trust the military to help.”
the past year.
• 57% reporting probable TBI had not been evaluated
by a physician for brain injury.
• 50% with PTSD or depression seeking treatment
received “minimally adequate” treatment.
• $1.7 billion savings through evidence-based treatment
for PTSD and depression resulting in increases in productivity and decreases in number of suicides. Although each successful program is contributing to the positive reintegration of men and women into their communities, these numbers indicate we have a long way to go! Sources: US Veterans Administration, US Department of Labor, US Department of Defense and the RAND Report.
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“The future of our Armed Services and the future of this country will be integrally linked with how we take care of our veterans.” – George Washington
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Consider . . . • An “asset bank” of all of the education, skills and experiences of veterans, available to • Any business in need of specific skills but not requiring a local workforce, and • The ability to match needs with assets, while providing the support required to insure the success of veterans, families and partners. VictriVillage is the model that changes everything. With all actions growing from our vision, mission, and principles, we, first, inventory the strengths of veterans. We then develop
The Need Meets A Solution
evidence-based, state-of-the-art, responses on which to build,
VictriVillage is a unique model for veteran development
needed to enable each man or woman veteran and family
that will provide a national resource for access to the
to thrive, based on individual goals and dreams. We invite,
growing asset base of veterans’ experience and abilities.
encourage, and nurture partnerships with education,
This new national model focuses not only on reintegrating
training, business and communities, establishing on-site
veterans back into society, but on bringing society and all of
opportunities for acquisition of portable skills, learning and
its advantages to veterans and their families. Our vision is
jobs. We help create and keep new jobs in America with our
the recognition and use of the asset base our veterans
on-site “Forged in America” manufacturing and distribution
represent. Our mission is to support veterans in their
center and our concept of “in-country outsourcing.” We
endeavor to reach their fullest potential. Based on these
actively seek synergy, partnering with private and public
foundations, VictriVillage is supported by over arching
entities, in helping veterans while we help America.
addressing the mind, body and spirit. We provide the support
principles: honor, dignity, health, excellence in learning and quality of life. With the foundational mission and the
VictriVillage is changing the standard. We are honored to
supporting principles in place, VictriVillage is an interface
help men and women veterans build on the skills and
between opportunities and veterans – a synergistic point
experience gained in service to our country while they reach
where our national treasure of veterans converges with the
for their dreams. Please join us in this unique collaborative
needs of today’s communities and marketplace, creating
effort that will change everything . . . VictriVillage.
new opportunities for all. The United States is at an economic crossroads. In terms of jobs, careers, and earning pathways, the future is very different from the past, and the future is here. VictriVillage combines the strengths of many. It is a community for veterans and their families, a national center of excellence in veteran’s issues, and a model incubator for the development of new partnerships, new ways of doing business, new ways of offering education and new ways of thinking about veterans and talent.
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Imagine for a moment . . . a place . . . away from the bombardment of the demanding dynamics of daily life . . . surrounded by the calm and serenity provided by nature in its finest form . . . lush green lawns . . . majestic old shade trees . . . sunlit open spaces . . . on the shore of a crystal clear lake . . . Can you see it? Feel it? We can! Located on the original site of the historic Sauk Centre, Minnesota Home School for Girls is the future site of VictriVillage . . . a planned community serving America’s military, veterans and their families. Twenty-four unique buildings, on 128 acres, surrounded by farm land, bordering on one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, provide the perfect opportunity to take imagination to tangible reality. On the National Register of Historic Places, this site is truly a campus, with most of its Neoclassical and Georgian Revival buildings located along a traditional central mall. Eight cottages provide comfortable living accommodations. The exiting site also has an administration building, food service building, chapel, health clinic, school, library, community center and a theater. With its industrial and agricultural training center, coupled with agricultural fields and barns, VictriVillage is exactly the place you have pictured . . . and much more.
VictriVillage is the embodiment of innovative reuse of a natural treasure of land and buildings. It takes the timeless design of CL Johnson, the original architect, to the benefit of our national guardians. From Valley Forge to our present day wars, our military has lived in some miserable places and conditions. Our veterans deserve, and VictriVillage provides, a setting of beauty and solitude.
“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” – José Narosky
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Re-use of a National Treasure. • Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) = completed • Historical Survey = completed • Phase I Environmental Study = completed • Preliminary Plat (Common Interest Community) = completed and approved • Topographical Survey (1’ contour surveyed) = completed • Archeological Study (all mounds have been located) = completed • Asbestos and Lead Study = completed • All Significant Trees Located and Surveyed = completed • All Underground Infrastructure Located and Surveyed = completed • Reuse Study = completed • Park Dedication Set Aside = completed • American Disabilities Act (ADA) Code Compliance = completed
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• Inventory of Buildings’ Roofs and Physical Plant Condition = completed • Fire Marshall and State Health Department Code Compliance = completed • Campus Installation of “Connect Minnesota” High-Speed Internet = completed • JOBZ Zone Property Designation = completed Additionally . . . • NIMBY (“not in my backyard”) attitude is nonexistent. • The community and the property owners are all favorable to the VictriVillage project.
n – Buildings are administrative buildings
that are already there . . .
school, church, etc.
n – Cottages that are to be used for
residential that are already there.
n – Are proposed placements for future
buildings, etc.
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WestCare Minnesota A Merger of VICTRI and the WestCare Foundation Background As men and women begin to return home facing reintegration and employment issues, some less than whole in body, mind and spirit, from the current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, the dream, for establishing a “planned community” to provide a welcome home and a path for reentry to productive civilian and family life was born in the hearts and minds of members of VICTRI, Gold Star Mothers and many others. They envisioned such a sanctuary and healing place on the future site of VictriVillage. Although the dream birthed a vision that is now shared by many throughout the country, the capacity to build such a reality has been slow to materialize . . . until now. WestCare Foundation WestCare, a 37 year-old, national non-profit foundation, headquartered in Nevada, providing a broad continuum of behavioral health services in ten states and two territories, led for over 32 years by a visionary Vietnam Veteran, learned of the dream and also of the need for the infrastructure and capacity to make it come true. As WestCare Foundation has done throughout its history, when called upon with a genuine need, resonant with their mission to “uplift the human spirit” through making appropriate behavioral health services available, they have responded.
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The VICTRI and WestCare Relationship
Uplifting the human spirit is a lofty statement for any
Over the past several months, VICTRI and WestCare
organization to promote as their objective, especially given
Foundation have been engaged in dialogue built on shared
the challenging world in which we live in today. Quality
values, a shared dream and, now, a shared relationship. The
health and human services for individuals, families and
two have become one force in Minnesota focused on seeing
communities in need are a priceless resource. With over
the vision for VictriVillage become a reality. Together, they
three decades of experience, WestCare has the necessary
have legally formed WestCare Minnesota, a 501(c)3 filed in
expertise to be that resource to the communities we serve.
the State of Minnesota, for the purposes of working handWestCare, a family of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations,
in-hand to see the dream of VictriVillage come to fruition.
provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in A Locally-Guided National Vision
both residential and outpatient environments. Our services
As is true of every WestCare Foundation effort, WestCare
include substance abuse and addiction treatment, mental
Minnesota is guided by its own local community council
health programs, homeless and runaway shelters, and
led by Minnesotans. Representing and responding to the
domestic violence treatment and prevention. These services
community, VictriVillage, as the initial, combined WestCare
are available to adults, both men and women, children,
Minnesota effort in the State, will focus first on the needs of
adolescents, and families; we specialize in helping people
Minnesotans. At the same time, the Village will present a
traditionally considered difficult to treat, such as those who
model for a comprehensive solution to the many needs of
are indigent, have multiple disorders, are struggling with
military, veterans and their families voiced nationwide.
the impacts of deployment and combat, or are involved with the criminal justice system.
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The BIG Picture . . . A Planned Community We believe that VictriVillage is the opportunity to purposefully bring together the traditional tenets of community living and the transformative power of comprehensive behavioral health services to maximize the full human potential of the men and women who have served our nation and their families. It is the opportunity for the rest of us to serve them. VictriVillage will be a safe place to find healing, health and happiness . . . a place to live, a place to learn and a place to “uplift the human spirit.” VictriVillage will create a national center of excellence into which all of the recommendations brought forward to address the invisible wounds of war can be woven and tangibly demonstrated. Through existing historic facilities constructed to specific community living and learning purposes, today’s evidence-based and proven programs in behavioral health, education and training will be delivered to heal the spirit, train mind and create community. With attention to the “signature wounds” of war . . . Post Traumatic Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Co-occurring Disorders and Chronic Relapse, VictriVillage will develop client-centered, family-focused and professional development programs.
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A place to live, a place to learn and a place to Uplift the Human Spirit
Integrative Service Approach:
Program Phases:
• Mental Health
• Healing and Recovery Services
• Substance Abuse and Addiction
• Education and Employment Training
• Physical Health
• Family and Community Reintegration
• Justice
• Family
Education and Employment Development:
• Spirit
• Work Therapy
• Education
• On-site Education and Training
• Employment
• Higher Education Access
• Wellness
• Vocational Education Access
• Resiliency
• Small Business Incubation
• Sustainable Farming
Professional Multi-Disciplinary Team Capacities:
Professional Development
• Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
VictriVillage provides a perfect destination location for
• Crisis Counseling
professional development training conferences and retreats.
• Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment
Providing both expertise and experience through its on-site
• Substance Abuse Education, Addiction Treatment
programs and professional staff, the opportunity to further
and Case Management
develop professionals cannot be overlooked or understated.
• Peer-to-Peer Counseling
Development of the VictriVillage Conference Center will
• Gender-Specific Services
provide such opportunity and will also add a sustainability
• Inpatient Psychiatric Referrals and Management
element to help insure future program growth and
• Medication Management and Education
development.
• Art and Equine Therapies “A warrior is not just one who has been to war and returned. Warrior has been recognized as a social role that has occurred since the beginning of time. Becoming a warrior is an achievement of character.” – Excerpt War and the Soul, by Ed Tick –
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The VictriVillage Farm The VictriVillage Farm is a diversified, organic farm and education center. Its mission is to train next generation farmers, raise public awareness about the importance of local organic agriculture, increase access of quality organic produce for low income people, and establish models for farm-appropriate alternative energy strategies . . . most importantly, to act as a facilitator to the veteran’s healing process. Farming will be both the backdrop and the tools to promote the physical, spiritual and emotional healing of veterans, as well as to transfer job skills and provide food and income for VictriVillage. • Giving veterans a sense of personal pride and This will be accomplished by:
accomplishment every time they sit down to eat meals
• Creating a healing environment and healthy work
that they helped produce.
space for veterans, regardless of physical or
• Contributing to the running of the community by
psychological condition.
providing food, as well as creating a cash producing
• Creating on-site, viable employment where veterans
industry.
can walk to work, maintain flexible hours and work in
• Creating a healthy diet that will not only contribute
a friendly environment with other veterans.
to the wellness of the residents, but also teach them
• Getting an accredited job-training program.
about nutritious eating.
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Our Mission It is the mission of WestCare to empower everyone with whom we come into contact to engage in a process of healing, growth and change benefiting themselves, their families, co-workers and communities. We will devote our best collective and individual efforts toward “uplifting the human spirit� by consistently improving, expanding and strengthening the quality, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of everything we do.
Guiding Principles Excellence We provide the highest quality service to the people and communities we serve. Dedication We are committed to working hard to provide services ethically and to practice compassion with our clients and employees. Growth The key to success is meeting our goals, helping clients meet their goals and building the resources needed to fulfill our mission. Ethical Behavior We value and expect integrity in every aspect of our work and will accept nothing less.
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We Remember – We Reflect – We Respond Our vision for VictriVillage is to honor each military
body and spirit. With your support, VictriVillage provides
member, each veteran and each military family member
the support needed to enable each military, veteran and
and the asset base that they represent. We recognize the
family member to thrive, based on their individual goals
valuable experience and expertise gained by both men and
and dreams. VictriVillage invites, encourages, and nurtures
women through service to our country and support their
partnerships establishing limitless opportunities. But most
endeavor to reach their fullest potential.
of all, VictriVillage invites you to be a partner! You make the difference and honor the lives of men and women, and
It is the outpouring of support from people like you that
entire families, when you make a generous donation to
allows us to carry this vision with confidence and to move
VictriVillage.
ahead to accomplish this mission. It is the funding that you provide that assists us to build the vision with the
The 128 acre property that houses VictriVillage is being
overarching principles of honor, dignity, health, excellence
offered at $4.6 million. With the additional $2.9 million
in learning and quality of life guiding every step. You are the
needed to accomplish the necessary restoration and
essential force in the creation of VictriVillage . . . the model
rehabilitation and to jump-start the first year’s operations,
that changes everything!
a total of $7.5 million will turn all that we have described into a fully-functioning reality. VictriVillage is raising the
With all action growing from its vision, mission, and
standard to meet the level of sacrifice and contribution
principles, VictriVillage builds on strengths and provides
made by so many in service to our country. Join us in this
evidence-based, state-of-the-art responses addressing mind,
unique, collaborative effort and unmatched honor.
“Each Warrior wants to leave the mark of his will, his signature, on important acts he touches. This is not the voice of ego, but of the human spirit, rising up and declaring that it has something to contribute to the solution of the hardest problems, no matter how vexing!” – Pat Riley – Will you leave your mark on this important solution?
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“There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” – Victor Hugo – Over 2,000,000 Americans have served in the Global War on Terror since September 11, 2001. Although each successful program is contributing to the positive reintegration of men and women into their communities, the overwhelming numbers indicate we have a long way to go!
We Need Your Help It is the outpouring of support from people like you that allows us to carry this vision with confidence and to move ahead to accomplish this mission. It is the investment that you provide that assists us to build the vision with the overarching principles of honor, dignity, health, excellence in learning and quality of life guiding every step. The vision for VictriVillage will become a reality when the $7.5 million needed to acquire the property and make it fully operational is in hand. This powerful idea needs some of your resources to move from a good idea to reality. Will you join us in serving those who have and are servicing us now? You and your loved ones can become an essential force in the creation of VictriVillage . . . the model that changes everything!
Founder
$1,000,000 +
Heritage
$500,000 – 999,000
Legacy
$100,000 – 499,000
Freedom
$50,000 – 99,000
Spirit
$10,000 – 49,000
Patron
$1,000 – 9,999
For more information or to make a donation, please contact: David Youngquist – Chairman of the Board WestCare Minnesota 612.801.6705 d.youngquist@comcast.net or Jimmie L. Coulthard – CEO Tiger Base LLC, VICTRI Founder WestCare Minnesota 612.735.7276 tigerbasellc@comcast.net
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WestCare Minnesota Veterans Administration Medical Center Campus, Building 11 5509 Minnehaha Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417
WestCare Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 94738 Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-4738 Phone: 702.385.2090
www.westcare.com WestCare Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides administrative support to the nationwide network of WestCare operations.
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