Joann’s Story

JUST MOVED OUT OF the VCP Village with her new rescued pet…

I served on a war ship in the Navy making and made contributions to my country through military service and overseeing wiring diagrams and schematics. I went to Japan on my first assignment, Las Vegas on my second assignment and England on my third assignment. My service was largely during peacetime but I fell on hard times when I concluded my time of service.

I used to keep a bag of food in the backseat on the floor in my car, because if I went into a shelter, there would be people in need, and I had something to give them. Once a week I would restock and attempt to give them help and hope.

But for the grace of God, I was never thinking of myself and all the hardships that come with homelessness. It is scary living among drug addicts, PTSD victims and people living out of their cars or in a tent; every morning had the potential to be a frightening experience. I was scared.

In military service, if something goes wrong, then everyone pitches in to help out. You feel a certain way about this camaraderie and sense of family. But those dynamics are not in place when you return to non-military life.

I doubted everything I had ever done. I told myself “You're just at a bad level and you’re going to get out of this mess.” But I didn’t know how. I did not know the best path with regards to me and my grandson.

I was in an unsafe living situation. I needed to get out. I actually called around looking for solutions and I ended up visiting with the professionals at VCP. You know, other organizations are not very good at follow through but the VCP team works hard to understand a person’s varied challenges and then they deliver assistance, counseling and resources. They are amazing and I'm very grateful. It's like somebody gave me a gift.

The generosity of the people at VCP is astounding. Everything here is so positive, ranging from the case managers to the neighbors to the young men who offer to give you a ride to do laundry together. It's pretty amazing.

Now, I think the VCP donors and supporters are extra special. I think a lot of contributors have military backgrounds or at least have been involved in patriotic matters; they look at the VCP model outcomes and commit to being a difference making supporter. The generosity of people is astounding, which, at the age of 72, is pretty startling to just now find these types of generous Americans who sincerely wish to ‘serve those who served them’.

 That's just the way it is at VCP. It is hard to describe a place that says “come on in and take a snack pack or a hygiene pack. How can we further serve you today?”

The Kansas City community is better due to the founder’s vision, and Veteran lives are better. VCP truly offers a strategic path so that Vets can be happy and get on the right track of taking care of themselves.