VCP Background Material

AN OATH TO SERVE ALL WHO SERVED US

On a single night in January 2020, volunteers counted 37,828 
Veterans who were experiencing homelessness in the United 
States. Tens of thousands more were uncounted, living in 
secluded camps, couch surfing, sleeping in cars, or hidden in 
plain sight.
Studies show that the Veteran population is 2x more likely to 
become chronically homeless than other groups of people. 
Approximately 20% of homeless males are Veterans, while female 
Veterans are the fastest growing demographic of unsheltered 
people in the United States. 
The root causes of Veteran homelessness are varied and complex. 
Long periods of unemployment, mental and/or physical illness, 
substance abuse, and a breakdown of traditional networks of 
support, while in the service all contribute to a Veteran’s loss of 
basic human needs. 
ROLL CALL
VETERAN HOMELESSNESS IN AMERICA
I was getting my ass kicked on the streets. Being 
robbed, getting sick. Anything could happen. It was 
chaos. Every day something would go bad.
89%
Received an 
honorable 
discharge
50%
Are 51 or older; 
47% served in 
Vietnam
51%
Have service-
related 
disabilities
HOMELESS MEN AND WOMEN
ONCE SERVED OUR COUNTRY
37,828+
- Mike, Army Veteran, Age 62

We are Veterans Community Project (VCP), a team of connectors, 
feelers, and doers on a mission to help our kin, our kind. We move 
with swift, bold action, motivated by the sacred rule of leave no 
man behind. 
We believe that a Veteran is anyone who raised a right hand and 
took the oath to protect our Constitution, regardless of discharge 
status or type of service. We are privately funded, armed with the 
strength and support of our community. We are ready and willing 
to respond with compassion to any brother or sister in need. 
OUR MISSION: 
Veterans housing Veterans, 
armed with the strength 
and support of the community. 
MANIFESTO
STANDING IN THE GAP
Veterans Community Project is a 501(c)
(3) nonprofit organization founded in 
2016 by a group of combat Veterans 
in Kansas City, Missouri. 
From left to right: Bryan Meyer (U.S. Marine Corps), 
Brandonn Mixon (U.S. Army), Vincent Morales (U.S. 
Army), and Mark Solomon (U.S. Navy).

VCP VILLAGE
 KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
VCP Village - KC is a specialized community 
of 49 tiny homes with on-site, wraparound 
support services designed to equip our 
Veterans with the tools needed to return 
to a stable, prosperous, independent life. 
Each tiny house provides everything 
a Veteran  needs to live with dignity 
and security; new furniture, appliances, 
housewares, bedding, personal items, and 
utilities - all free of charge.
The VCP Village Community Center serves 
as “base camp” for the residents and 
provides medical, dental, and veterinarian 
offices, a fellowship hall, and other support 
services. 

The Village offers sanctuary and the 
emotional space needed for each Veteran 
and VCP’s specially-trained  team to 
thoroughly address the underlying 
causes of his or her homelessness.
Our solution to forever end Veteran homelessness is simple: 
provide Veterans a home with dignity and honorable services 
that make them a successful member of the community again.

With the support of their case managers 
and battle buddies, Veterans work to 
achieve incremental, lasting results in 
the areas of health and wellness, income 
stability, education and training, fiscal 
understanding, and the development of 
a personal support network. Once the 
Veteran’s individual goals are met, VCP 
assists him or her in securing a permanent 
housing solution and transitioning to a 
new life.
240 sqft 
Size of tiny house 
including fully 
functional kitchen 
and bathroom
320 sqft 
Size of family unit, 
which can sleep 
up to 7 people
11 months
Average length of stay in VCP VIllage

Many Veterans fail to receive the services they need 
because access to them is confusing to navigate. 
According to a recent study, 14 of the 20 Veterans who 
die by suicide on a daily basis are not connected to the 
VA or other support agency.
The VCP Outreach Center creates a straight line to 
life-changing support. Regardless of time in service, 
discharge status, or service type, VCP is ready to help. 
Our staff assists Veterans with navigating the VA and 
their benefits, emergency assistance funds, housing, 
military identification services, mental and physical 
health referrals, financial counseling, and employment 
supports among other services. 
In addition, Veterans can receive hygiene kits, food from 
the pantry, or other basic necessities. All services are 
free of charge to any person who has taken the oath to 
defend our Constitution. 
By greatly reducing barriers to access, VCP strives to not 
only prevent Veteran homelessness but radically impact 
the crisis of Veteran suicide in our community.
VCP distributes food 
and hygiene items to 
Veterans in need. 
FOOD & HYGIENE
EMERGENCY 
FUNDS
VCP OUTREACH CENTER
CONNECTING VETERANS TO CRITICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Rent and utility 
assistance can help 
a Veteran in crisis 
avoid homelessness.

The residents of VCP Village represent 
every branch of the military and nearly 5 
generations of service.  Approximately 10% 
of the Veterans are women. 
The residents’ shared experiences of 
service - and homelessness - create a 
unique and powerful sense of community. 
When Steve moved into the Village, 
his main priority was to re-establish a 
relationship with his 10-year-old daughter, 
Bella. For the year he was homeless, Steve 
was unable to care for his daughter, adding 
to his deep sense of anxiety and despair. 
Three months after moving into his tiny 
house, Steve received partial custody and 
“started to feel like a father again.”
This personal victory for Steve felt like a 
victory for the entire Village. His fellow 
Veterans surround him with support; the 
mothers and fathers in the Village offer 
parenting advice and several of his battle 
buddies provide rides so Steve doesn’t miss 
a weekend visit, game, or birthday party.
When a Veteran knows someone has his or 
her back, their fear is diminished, strength 
is revealed, and hope is restored.
It takes a Village to heal a village.
BATTLE BUDDIES
CREATING A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT

Using Kansas City as a blueprint, VCP 
has begun its work of serving at-risk and 
homeless Veterans across the United 
States starting with Longmont, Colorado; 
St. Louis, Missouri; Sioux Falls, South 
Dakota; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 
Because virtually every major city has 
homeless Veterans, need is just one of the 
factors we rely upon when selecting a new 
project site. 
Our national expansion team works closely 
with each potential city to determine how 
VCP fits into their existing social services 
ecosystem. Our goal is not to replicate 
programs but to fill gaps, providing  new 
resources to Veterans who are ineligible to 
receive assistance elsewhere.
Each new VCP campus is scaled according 
to the community’s needs and built within 
city limits, near essential services such as 
public transportation, the local VA hospital, 
and partner service agencies. 
VCP’s vision is simple: to prevent and end 
homelessness so that those who served 
with honor, can live in dignity. 
Veterans Community Project has a long-term goal of 
eliminating Veteran homelessness nationwide. 
NATIONAL EXPANSION
ENDING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS EVERYWHERE

Kansas City, MO
Longmont, CO
St. Louis, MO
Sioux Falls, SD
Oklahoma City, OK
Milwaukee, WI

“Before I got to VCP, I was at a standstill. I felt like I 
had a brick wall in front of me and a brick wall behind 
me. They helped remind me who I am. I am not the 
same person I was when I walked in the door of the 
tiny house." - K., U.S. Army Veteran

GET INVOLVED
SERVE THOSE WHO SERVED US
Veterans Community Project is the community's project. What 
began as a grassroots effort in Kansas City, Missouri has become 
a national movement. Thousands of volunteers build or maintain 
the Village, organize donation drives, host fundraisers, provide 
hospitality at the Outreach Center, pack hygiene bags, or find 
other meaningful ways to serve those who served us. 
We are one team with one fight. 
Do more than say “thank you” to a Veteran for their service. 
Join our mission and help ensure that those who fought for your 
freedom can live with dignity.  
It takes a community to build a Village! VCP volunteers help 
build and prepare the houses for Veterans, manage administrative 
duties, assist VCP with community events, and much more. 
Volunteer
Donate
VCP is community funded! Corporate and individual donations 
help provide and maintain housing and one-on-one case 
management for Village residents along with critical outreach 
services for Veterans in crisis. Learn more about monthly giving, 
corporate sponsorship and ongoing Village support by visiting 
our website.   
Share
Spread the Word! Stay up to date on 
VCP news and learn about community 
events by following us on social media 
or subscribing to our monthly Intel Brief 
newsletter. 
vcp.org
Veterans Community Project
8900 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64131
816-599-6503 | info@vcp.org

8900 Troost Ave
Kansas City, MO  64131