Summer of Sharing Donation Supports Veteran Housing

Recipients are chosen based on nominations submitted at SummerofSharing.org, where we ask you to consider: “What GOOD could you do with $1,000?” This year, one of these amazing recipients was The Fallen and Wounded Soldier’s Fund (FWSF), which was nominated for their work with veterans’ housing at the Village Arts Factory in Canton, MI.

The Veterans Dormitory is an urban retreat/residence for veterans struggling with housing and for those who need a supportive environment with fellow veterans. Currently it provides housing and support services for four to six homeless male veterans as they work to establish permanent housing and gainful employment. They are also provided access to mental health professionals, veterans service officers, attorneys, and more to allow them a smooth post-military adjustment period. 

The FWSF decided to partner with the Village Arts Factory due to a shared mission: honoring and supporting our homeless veterans with stable, program-based housing. Their collaboration not only allows for both organizations to give back to our injured veterans, but the community is also given the opportunity to get to know those who have served and sacrificed for our country. Veterans, in turn, are able to experience community support and appreciation for their service, connecting with people they may not have encountered otherwise. 

The Fallen and Wounded Soldier’s Fund will be using their Summer of Sharing donation to purchase items needed by their veteran residents, such as food, clothing, sheets and towels for the dorm, and car repairs so that veterans can safely make it to work. 

In the future, The FWSF is partnering with Blue Star Service Dogs, an organization that instructs veteran residents in service dog training. Once trained, these dogs will be given to veterans who need their assistance. Additionally, FWSF has a “hoop house” at Preservation Park which will be used to grow food for the dorm residents. 

If you would like to learn more about this organization and the amazing work they do for veterans in our communities, please visit their website at fwsf.org. To learn more about veterans housing at the Village Arts Factory, visit villageartsfactory.com/veterans-dormitory to read about the history of the project and see current pictures of the facility. 

Do you have a charitable organization in mind that could use some extra funds this summer? There’s still time to visit SummerOfSharing.org to share your story and nominate a charity, community group, or school program that deserves a $1,000 donation. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a difference in your community and celebrate Community Financial’s 70th anniversary with $70,000 in donations!