A group of veterans has come together in the Kansas City area to tackle the issue of homelessness among their fellow veterans. In doing so, they have created a successful model of support that will some day be applied to other large communities throughout the United States and which has earned them an unexpected honor.
In recognition of their efforts to address veterans’ homelessness, Veterans Community Project was presented with the 2018 Silver Star Families of America Commendation Award in a recent ceremony at their headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.
A nonprofit based out of Clever, Missouri, the SSFOA’s primary mission is to recognize and support veterans who are wounded, injured, or have acquired an illness related to their service in a combat zone — regardless of service branch or military conflict.
The commendation can be awarded to military or civilian personnel and departments or organizations who have positively affected the lives of wounded and ill veterans.
Previous commendation recipients include former President George W. Bush, Gen. David Petraeus, Ann-Margret, Gary Sinise, WWE, the bands Mötley Crüe and 3 Doors Down, in addition to the Kansas City Royals.
This year, the SSFOA founders selected Veterans Community Project for their dedicated work toward ending veteran homelessness through the construction of tiny houses in a community known as “Veterans Village.” Founded by veterans and funded through private donations, VCP’s program also helps provide veterans with the skills needed to successfully reintegrate into society and the workforce, including classes on money management, cooking, shopping for groceries, legal assistance, searching for employment and coping with trauma.
“Every year we receive a number of nominations for both individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond in assisting veterans, but Veterans Community Project appeared to rise above the rest for their dedicated efforts in addressing the issue of veteran homelessness,” SSFOA founder Steve Newton said.
He added: “We appreciate the selfless enthusiasm demonstrated by organizations such as this, who choose to use their experiences and resources to connect to their fellow veterans and support causes benefiting the veteran community. That is why it is my distinct honor to recognize Veterans Community Project as the 2018 recipient of the SSFOA Commendation Award.”
As part of the presentation, an SSFOA representative presented two of VCP’s four co-founders — Brandonn Mixon, a U.S. Army veteran, and Brian Meyer, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran — with a plaque, a Silver Star Families service flag and challenge coins.
In addition to the range of supportive services that VCP provides to homeless veterans, cofounder Brian Meyer explained, their Veterans Village remains their cardinal program and there are plans to expand the concept to other communities throughout the United States in the future.
“The transitional housing we provide for veterans are small homes that are 240 square feet for individuals and 320 square feet for veterans with families,” Meyer said. “Here in Kansas City, we are developing the village on a lot that is just under 5 acres and was purchased from the city for a very nominal cost,” he added.
Meyer went on to explain, in addition to being energy efficient and handicap accessible, there will eventually be 49 homes constructed on the property owned by VCP. The homes, he added, are built on concrete foundations, have utilities and are fully sanctioned by the city.
Mixon noted the VCP has also established a unique arrangement with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and the Kansas City Veterans Administration to provide free bus rides for veterans in the community. The program is financed through a sponsorship by the Greater Kansas City Labor Unions/AFL-CIO.
“One of the reasons VCP was established in the Kansas City area and not in a rural community is because all of the resources, such as transportation, that are in the city — it is where the largest concentration of supportive resources exists,” Mixon said.
Acknowledging the honor of receiving the annual award from the Silver Star Families of America, Mixon admitted it was an unexpected realization a few years ago that led to his decision to seek ways to support his fellow veterans who found themselves in difficult circumstances.
“I saw a homeless veteran on the street corner here in Kanas City a few years ago who was holding up a sign that asked for help,” Mixon said. “I kept thinking about that man and realized that he could have been one of my fellow soldiers serving in Afghanistan who had my back and was willing to take a bullet for me.”
He added, “Now, through our work at VCP, I feel that I can grab him by the back of his shirt and carry him to safety, demonstrating through our efforts that we have his back and are here to help him get back on his feet.”
For more information on Veterans Community Project, visit veteranscommunityproject.org.
Jeremy P. Amick writes on behalf of the Silver Star Families of America.