Southern, Sweet & Sassy Coffee is passionate about connecting military families one cup at a time, and we are proud to give back to the military community through our #coffeeforacause initiative. This November, we are excited to feature Veterans Community Project.
Organization and Mission
Veterans Community Project is a 501(c)(3) organization that is adamant about not letting any Veteran fall through the cracks of society. From proving housing to offering walk-in support services, VCP aims to be there for everyone who took the oath to serve America. The organization was founded by a group of combat Veterans in Kansas City, Missouri who resolved to stand in the gaps of a broken system that left too many of their brothers and sisters behind. The result: an organization that is determined to make a difference in the lives of homeless Veterans.
A Two-Fold Solution to Veteran Homelessness
VCP provides critical support services to homeless Veterans in two primary ways:
The Veteran Outreach Center: a walk-in center that serves as a one-stop-shop for Veterans facing a variety of problems, regardless of time in service, discharge status, or any other traditional qualifier for support. VCP staff help Veterans navigate their VA benefits, identification services, mental and physical health referrals, financial counseling and employment support, and other services. Veterans can also receive hygiene kits and make use of a food pantry. All of these services are free of charge for anyone who took the oath to defend the Constitution.
VCP Village: a planned tiny home community built by Veterans for Veterans. Each VCP Village is designed to get homeless Veterans off the street and help them transition to permanent housing. Unlike traditional homeless services, a tiny home provides the Veteran with privacy, a sense of security, and comprehensive support services to help them reintegrate at a comfortable pace. These services are provided through an on-site community center that offers mentoring, case management, counseling, and the ability to be connected to outside programs and services.
More About VCP Villages
The first VCP Village was built in Kansas City, Missouri. It is an innovative community of 49 tiny houses ranging from 240-320 square feet. Each house connects to utilities and meets all local code requirements.
The Village Community Center is the nerve center of the village, providing a hub for services and a place for residents to connect with each other and the community as a whole. This 4,600 square foot facility features a fellowship hall, medical and dental offices, a commercial kitchen, computer lab, staff offices and even a veterinarian clinic!
Each tiny house is equipped with everything a Veteran needs to live with dignity and security. This includes new furniture, appliances, housewares, bedding, personal items and working utilities—all free of charge.
With the support of their case managers and battle buddies, residents of VCP Village work to achieve incremental, lasting results based on five main pillars of support. These are health and wellness, education, employment, financial literacy, and the development of a personal support network. Once the Veteran’s personalized goals are met, VCP helps them secure a permanent housing solution and transition to a new life.
A Long-term Goal of National Expansion
Veterans Community Project has a long-term goal of eliminating Veteran homelessness nationwide. Using Kansas City as the blueprint, VCP is now expanding to other cities and states. So far these include:
- Longmont, Colorado
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
How You Can Get Involved
Whether or not you live in an area with existing VCP services, there are many ways to get involved. You can volunteer, donate goods, host or attend a VCP event, plan a service project, buy something from the VCP shop, or lead the charge in bringing Veterans Community Project to your community!
Coffee for a Cause
If you would like to support Veterans Community Project while drinking a great cup of coffee, we’ve got you covered! The S3 November #coffeeforacause is Peppermint Stick! During the month of November, buy our medium roast drip coffee Peppermint Stick, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to Veterans Community Project.
To learn more about Veterans Community Project, please visit their website.
You can also follow them on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.