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<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"More than a decade ago, a place was founded where veterans who have experienced homelessness can find not only affordable housing, but also stability, community and dignity. This special vision is lived out at one of Harvesters\u2019 Agency Partners: St. Michael’s Veterans Center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though primarily a housing organization, having a place to stay is only one part of that puzzle. Many residents live on fixed or limited incomes and sometimes struggle to afford groceries. Through a partnership with Harvesters, the center offers an onsite food pantry and regular mobile distributions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One resident, a 16-year veteran named Thomas who had been to other Harvesters’ distributions in the past, talked about how much he appreciates being able to meet his nutritional needs without having to leave the grounds as often. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey’ve always been good to me, and they have good produce that\u2019s hard to get,\u201d he said. \u201cYou guys, just, you bring it here and deliver it to us. It makes it even easier.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Melvin, another resident, also praised the variety of food available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The food pantry\u2019s helped me out a lot,\u201d he said. \u201cIt saved me a lot of money, and most of the time, it’s food that I really need or really want. It’s been a blessing in so many ways.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Susan Engel, St. Michael\u2019s\u2019 Executive Director, has been part of the project almost from the beginning. She was part of the original group that began planning the facility in 2010, when there was increased national conversation around ending veteran homelessness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00abCollectively, as a country, we said, ‘This is not acceptable anymore,'\u00bb Susan recollected. With new federal resources becoming available, Kansas City leaders and organizations began looking for ways to create lasting solutions. One of those leaders was Art Fillmore.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Long before veteran services received widespread attention, Fillmore was championing the cause, helping develop the city’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial and organizing Stand Down events that connected veterans experiencing homelessness with food,\u00a0clothing\u00a0and support services.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While those events helped many people, Art saw that they were limited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00abPeople went back to the streets, and that just never settled with Art,\u00bb Susan said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After securing grant funding, that desire to create ongoing permanent change eventually became St. Michael’s Veterans Center. For Susan, the work is rooted in her experience in social work and a sense of duty she feels towards those who served. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are a unique set of circumstances that veterans face, either before their service or during their service, that can lead to the need for additional supports in their life. As our understanding about trauma has evolved, I’ve come to realize our responsibility to make sure that people who serve in the military get the care they need when they come out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond meeting physical needs, food from the pantry is also helping build relationships. Residents frequently organize their own cookouts and potluck-style gatherings, sharing meals and connecting with one another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One such resident is Winford, who struggled with periodic houselessness over several years after leaving the military and traveled from Seattle to Montana before eventually ending up in Blue Springs, Missouri. Now fully settled into St. Michael\u2019s, Winford frequently can be found grilling for other residents and is a staple as these get-togethers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00abIt\u2019s a very, very nice apartment, and I\u2019m trying to take better care of it all the time,\u201d he said. \u201cIt’s all practically brand new, and it’s not just \u2018the apartment is remodeled\u2019 brand new, the outside is all brand new, too. All the yard work. Look how this is. We just take care of this place and the guys that live here just get along. Just unbelievable.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year marks a major milestone for St. Michael\u2019s. The center recently opened its third and final residential building, completing the vision first imagined 15 years ago. Together, the three buildings provide 179 apartments for those who have served and find themselves in need of assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n