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The organization is closing in on its fundraising goal to start building the 40-unit Village.
Today, Veterans Community Project (VCP) of Milwaukee moved a step closer to breaking ground thanks to a $250,000 donation from Milwaukee Tool. The commitment represents a dedication the two organizations share to fix Veteran homelessness in the region and across the United States.
VCP of Milwaukee, which is still in the fundraising stage, will include a Village of 40 rent-free transitional housing units, ranging from 240 to 340 square feet, for Veterans experiencing homelessness and a Village Center building for case managers to work with residents on individualized goals to gain permanent housing.
Since VCP welcomed the first residents at its flagship location in Kansas City in 2018, this model has demonstrated a radically effective 85% success rate in transitioning Veterans from homelessness to sustainable permanent housing, with a typical stay of 12 to 18 months in the Village. VCP of Milwaukee will be the sixth location across the country, in addition to sites in Missouri, Colorado, South Dakota, and Arizona.
Milwaukee Tool has long supported the mission. The company has helped VCP in a variety of ways, such as: Milwaukee Tool Quality Engineering Lab Manager Bill Malzewski serving as chair of the local VCP Capital Campaign Leadership Team; funding the purchase of the future VCP of Milwaukee site at 6767 N 60th St; and providing significant in-kind tool and equipment donations to help VCP build and operate its other locations nationwide.
Jeff Searl, Milwaukee Tool Vice President of Operations and a 23-year U.S. Army Veteran, explained why the company is so involved.
“At Milwaukee Tool, we believe in building stronger communities, and that includes supporting those who have bravely served our country,” he said. “We are proud to stand alongside VCP to ensure local Veterans have access to safe housing and the resources they need to thrive.”
The $250,000 donation, which was announced on Thursday in an event at Milwaukee Tool headquarters, was also celebrated with bipartisan support—Wisconsin State Senators Patrick Testin (R) and Dora Drake (D) both spoke about the importance of the development.
At the event, and as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Senator Testin said, “This is a project the state needs to be involved in” and praised VCP as an organization that “moves the needle” for Veterans.
With Senator Drake adding, “We need to do whatever we can to ensure our Veterans are not only supported but that they have a place to stay, to feel at home, and to re-integrate into the community—this is a beautiful example of what public-private partnership looks like.”
VCP’s progress in Milwaukee follows the recent groundbreaking of VCP of Glendale in Arizona, an event attended by elected officials and private supporters like the Arizona Diamondbacks. These milestones highlight the power of community-driven efforts.
Veterans Community Project Co-Founder and CEO Bryan Meyer reflected, “It takes the strength and support of the community to fix Veteran homelessness. Today, the generosity of that community moves us one step closer to breaking ground and opening doors for Veterans.”
He continued, “And now, we invite all Milwaukeeans to join us, and Milwaukee Tool, in ensuring that no one who took the oath to serve our country is left behind on city streets.”
With Veterans Community Project nearing its fundraising goal to start building VCP of Milwaukee, it invites community members to join the mission. To find ways to get involved, visit vcp.org/milwaukee.