The Veterans Community Project (VCP) of Kansas City — the inaugural project founded by a group of combat veterans and established in 2016 — has continued to serve Veterans in the community and beyond, regardless of discharge status or length or type of service, strengthening its commitment to offering transitional housing to Veterans in need.
The Telegraph interviewed the Executive Director of the VCP, Chris Admire, to provide an update on the organization’s projects and services.
Alongside providing furnished housing for veterans and their pets, the VCP offers an exhaustive list of outreach services for veterans in the metro area such as employment support, emergency assistance funds and mental and physical health referrals to help their wide-ranging needs.
“The goal is simple: provide veterans the safety and security of a home with wrap-around support services and the support of their community, to get them back on their feet, restore their dignity and ensure they continue standing,” Admire explained.
Outreach Center
These services are offered through their Outreach Center at 8825 Troost, which also hosts a 4th Wednesday commissary. As the VCP maintains their National Headquarters, 49 tiny homes and Village community center, they are looking to update their Outreach Center.
Their capital campaign, which launched in 2021, to build on and renovate the current Outreach Center is still in progress. VCP’s goal is to turn the Outreach Center into a “Veterans Navigation Campus,” and “Welcome Center” that will bolster their Veteran Support Services.
“We are hoping to get the final construction drawings for the new building any day,” Admire said. “The building has power to it, and we are beginning to look at getting a contractor to come help finish the inside of the building.”
Once the navigation campus is complete, it will create “a straight line to life-changing support.” Trusted partners from across the city, such as nonprofit agencies and local businesses, will be able to offer in-house assistance, within their respective fields, to veterans. It will reduce the barrier to access and bring the support veterans need in one setting.
Expansion
As the VCP continues to grow here at home, they are also thriving and expanding into other cities seeking to help other Veterans across the country. Their national presence extends to St. Louis, Missouri, Longmont Colorado and Sioux Fall, South Dakota. And the VCP is actively expanding to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Glendale, Arizona and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
“At every location, VCP is fueled by the community,” Admire wrote. “Volunteers help maintain the Village, donate items for the tiny homes, and assist with special events.”
Positive Transition Rate
With all these changes, the VCP of Kansas City has still maintained their “Positive Transition Rate” of 85 percent from 2023. This percentage indicates the number of veteran residents who have positively transitioned from the VCP Village to achieve self-sustainable permanent housing.
Though the VCP protects the privacy of its residents and alums alike, Admire was able to share a success story.
“We do have a husband and wife that moved out just yesterday, June 30th.” Admire wrote. “They purchased a plot of land in Arkansas and plan to build their home on the site. They both worked hard to reach this goal and that work has paid off.”
In the near future, the VCP is hosting their 8th annual House Party on November 9th, 2024 at the T-Mobile Center. This is their biggest fundraiser of the year, and “it’s a great way to learn about our mission while having a great time doing it,” Admire said.
Visit more information, go to vcp.org for a list of ways to get involved.