Last Updated on August 29, 2024 by Luke Feldbrugge
The Homes for Heroes Foundation awarded the Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin (VOW) a $5,000 grant to help veteran homelessness and offer support to at-risk veteran households. Founded by community members who recognized a local need, Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin specifically works with veterans in every community across Wisconsin and offers a food market, trauma-informed programming, and 15 tiny homes.
Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin Check Presentation with Jay Flynn
The grant check presentation interview was conducted by Homes for Heroes Foundation Director, Jay Flynn and local Homes for Heroes Mortgage Specialist, Kevin McSwain. They interviewed Michael Rembalski, Executive Director for Veterans Outreach for Wisconsin, and veteran hero, Kenneth Carter.
They spoke about how Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin supports local veterans and helps them get back on their feet. The Homes for Heroes Foundation grant will specifically go toward restocking and replenishing furnishings needed for their village of tiny homes used to accommodate homeless veterans, or those living in at-risk households.
You can watch the full interview or read about it below.
Jay: Hello, and thanks for joining us today. I’m Jay Flynn, Director of the Homes for Heroes Foundation. I’m joined today by Michael Rembalski, Executive Director of Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin; Kevin McSwain, Senior Mortgage Lender with Bank Five Nine, who is also a Homes for Heroes mortgage specialist. And, veteran hero, Kenneth Carter. It is my honor to be here with you guys today.
Michael, as part of the Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving, the Homes for Heroes Foundation provides grants to nonprofits whose mission is to help our heroes in need. Kevin and I are honored to present this $5,000 Homes for Heroes Foundation grant to Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin. Congrats!
Michael: Yeah, thank you very much. Very much appreciated. Thank you guys.
Jay: We’re honored to do it.
Let’s take a few minutes to talk about the great work that Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin is doing and why it is important. You guys started in 2013, and I know things have changed over 11 years. So please take a moment to let us know what that looks like.
Michael: Sure. So our founder Jeff Gustin, actually started VOW in 2013 out of his garage. He saw how great the need was for a food pantry for homeless veterans. Eventually, the need outgrew his garage, so he ended up getting this property in Racine, WI and it remained a food pantry.
Then we expanded. We bought more and more property. Now we have a 15 tiny home village, plus another area for the food pantry. And we went from serving 100 veterans a month, to serving 650 veterans and their families out of our food pantry.
We have helped over 100 homeless veterans through our tiny homes and other services.
We also have a “nine lives” support group where we help veterans who suffer from PTSD and mental health issues. They can call us and we can connect them with the VA, peer support specialists, or whatever assistance is required to address whatever the issue might be.
Jay: Wow. That’s awesome, Michael. I can tell you, sometimes we get phone calls to our foundation for things we can’t help. But with knowing great groups like you guys and others all over the country, many times I’m able to send a hero to someone in their community that might be able to assist them. So it’s awesome what you guys are doing for sure.
Michael: Thank you. I really appreciate it. Thank you.
Jay: Yes sir. So Kevin, obviously you’re a big supporter of our heroes, as a Homes for Heroes mortgage specialist. Please let us know why this group means so much to you, and why you nominated them to receive this Homes for Heroes Foundation grant.
Kevin: Yes, thank you. I’ve had the good fortune to see some of the work that this organization has done, and the positive impact they’ve had on the lives of so many veterans in need of their services; whether it be food, clothing, shelter, personal items or other services that they provide to those that are at risk or down on their luck. They help those veterans and their families get back on their feet again.
It’s an honor and a privilege to support an organization that is dedicated to supporting our veterans.
Jay: Yeah, that’s awesome that they’re giving these folks a hand up to get them back on their feet.
Kevin: Many hands will lift many people.
Jay: Absolutely. Alright, so Michael, a $5,000 Homes for Heroes Foundation grant has been awarded to your organization. Please tell us how you plan to use these funds to support our veterans.
Michael: So when a homeless veteran moves out into their own apartment or house, they’re able to take whatever they want from the tiny homes that we provide. They can take their mattress, the bed frame, or the TV. We even let people take the cabinets off the wall. Whatever they need to get back on their feet.
This money will go toward restocking some of the homes. In the last month, we’ve had five veterans move out and go on to support themselves. So we’re starting to restock a lot of our homes.
Jay: Wow, that is awesome. So you’re allowing them to take what they need for their new house or apartment, and giving them the opportunity to make it into a comfortable, livable home.
Michael: Absolutely.
Jay: All right. So Kenneth, veteran hero, we just heard everything that these great folks are doing for our veterans; folks like you. Please tell us a little bit about how they made a difference in your life.
Kenneth: I used to live downtown and at first when I had a problem they took care of things and it was good. Then the slumlords came in and didn’t fix anything. My roof fell in, ceilings tore apart, walls leaked, and they wouldn’t fix anything.
So I talked to this gentleman (Michael) right here. I took a tour. At first I was scared to come here, because I like being on my own. But they made me soften a little bit, and made me open my eyes. They treated me nice, showed me a different direction, and I’ve been doing good since.
So whenever they ask me something, I try to provide what I can to help them out and spread the word about this place and what they do. It’s just a great place to be, a great place.
Jay: That’s awesome, Kenneth. Obviously they’ve been a great move for you?
Kenneth: Yes, definitely. They’re very high spirited. They are strict, but if you follow the rules, you’re going to be alright.
Jay: There we go (chuckles). Michael, it sounds like you have a lot going on. So if folks wanted to get involved through volunteering, or if they wanted to support your mission financially, please tell us where they can find information on how to do that.
Michael: You can go to our Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin website. If you specifically want to volunteer, we always have opportunities at the food pantry.
If you have a special skill let us know. For example, we’ve had painters come and paint. People will drop off food. Some want to cook for our residents. You can offer monetary donations if that is what you prefer. You’re more than welcome to do any of these. We do not turn away help.
Jay: There’s no such thing as too much help, right?
Michael: Never, never, never.
Jay: You guys are such a wonderful nonprofit. You’re doing so much there to support our heroes in need. And it’s great that we’re able to support you guys with this $5,000 Homes for Heroes Foundation grant.
It has been an honor to be with you today. Thank you all for taking some time to chat with me and for everything that you’re doing there in the community to support our heroes.
For those that are tuning in and checking this out, thanks for joining us to hear more about Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin and its mission of service.
And remember, just take a second today to say thank you to a hero. Have a great day everyone.
Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving
Grants from the Homes for Heroes Foundation are made possible by the Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving and its network of real estate and mortgage professionals. Homes for Heroes, Inc. is committed to providing savings to community heroes; such as firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, military (active duty, reserves and veterans), healthcare professionals and teachers.
To expand its Circle of Giving, Homes for Heroes, Inc., donates a portion of its earnings to the Homes for Heroes Foundation. So, every time a hero buys or sells a home using the Homes for Heroes program, they are helping other heroes across the country facing a housing crisis or who are in need of urgent financial assistance.
If you are interested in learning more about how Homes for Heroes can guide you through the home buying, selling or refinancing process AND save you an average of $3,000 after closing on a home with one of their local specialists, simply sign up to speak with a member of the team. They will follow up with you to answer all of your questions. When you tell them you’re feeling ready to speak with their local specialists in your area about home buying, selling, or refinancing your mortgage, they will connect you with a local specialist to begin the process.
Simply visit the Homes for Heroes Foundation page if you’re interested in learning more about where it has awarded recent grants to hero organizations throughout the country, how much they’ve awarded to date, and how it all works.
If you’re interested in supporting and donating to the Homes for Heroes Foundation to assist heroes in need, please visit their donation page to submit your contribution via PayPal. And, thank you for your interest and support.
