FLUSHING, Mich. - Homelessness among Veterans continues to decrease here in Michigan.
That's according to 2018 data from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
There's a group here in Flint who's hoping to curb that even more by helping homeless Veterans get back on their feet.
The group is called "Veteran Village USA."
The non-profit has only been up and running for a few months now.
On Sunday, they held a bowling fundraiser at Colonial lanes in Flushing so they can raise money for the organization.
But most importantly to give back to homeless Veterans.
“We were a homeless Veteran family, we were living out of a camper,” said Tiffany Williams; Outreach Director for Veteran Village USA.
In February 2019, Williams and her family faced a harsh reality.
“My husband got out of the army after serving 13 and a half years. We had a savings, we had everything figured out we thought. VA money just didn’t kick in the way it should,” Williams stated.
A Veteran resource program in Michigan called Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), helped Williams put things back into place.
“So, now we feel the need to pay it forward 100%,” said Williams.
Williams now works for "Veteran Village USA.”
“We are working on housing, feeding and supporting homeless and at-risk Veterans,” Williams stated.
But Williams says it's not the lack of resources, it's getting Veterans connected to them.
Those at Carriage Town Ministries, a housing facility for the homeless, agree.
“Usually Carriage Town has at least 3 to 4 Veterans a month that we serve,” said Brittany Willingham; Resource Coordinator for Carriage Town Ministries.
So, while this fundraiser is all about fun and games, it's also about spreading awareness so Veterans know where to turn for help.
“I’m very thankful for the resources and the people who have helped my family and I, but now that I get to do it back, my whole heart is in to this,” said Williams.
Williams says "Veteran Village USA" plans to open a housing facility for homeless Veterans in the future, but they're not quite to their fundraising goal yet.
In the meantime, they're giving back by paying for food, gas cards and utility bills.
If you're interested in helping the organization, click here.
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