The EVOLUTION Magazine August 2022 | Page 24

INDUSTRY NEWS ►

It Takes a Community to Build a Village

Missouri Cannabis Businesses ― Helping Their Communities . by Cathryn Farley , Contributing Writer

The Missouri Medical Cannabis community came together on June 13 to help “ Build a Village ” and more . Green Precision Analytics testing labs partnered with CLOVR , a vertically integrated MMJ company , joing forces to host a golf tournament at Loch Lloyd Country Club in KCMO . The event raised funds to benefit the Veterans Community Project .

“ We wanted to do more than just thank our veterans ,” said Josh Mitchem , CLOVR CEO . “ We wanted to make a difference in our community , and our veterans will benefit from the generosity of all those who care enough to make a difference in the lives of others .” a personal support network . Once their individual goals are met , VCP assists them in securing a permanent housing solution and transitioning to a new life . The transition success rate is 85 %, and the average length of stay in VCP Village is 11 months .
All tournament proceeds benefited VCP . Specifically , the funds created a Team 49 Sponsorship . Team 49 is a special group that serves those who served us by supporting the life-changing work of VCP village . Team 49 members ensure that critical resources of case management , health care , utilities , and household goods are available to every veteran in the tiny house community .
Veterans Community Project ( VCP ) is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit corporation founded by a group of combat veterans in Kansas City , MO , who resolved to stand in the gaps of a broken system that left too many of their brothers and sisters behind . By providing critical support services and an innovative transitional housing model , VCP has served thousands of at-risk and homeless veterans since 2016 . Using Kansas City as a blueprint , VCP is expanding its program to Longmont , CO ; St . Louis , MO ; Sioux Falls , SD ; and Oklahoma City , OK . VCP ’ s long-term goal : ending veteran homelessness nationwide .
VCP Village is an innovative community of 49 tiny houses for veterans experiencing homelessness . Each tiny house includes a fully functional kitchen and bathroom . When a new resident moves in , the house is fully stocked with new furniture , appliances , housewares , bedding , and food . All of this is free of charge to the veterans . More importantly , VCP Village provides sanctuary and the emotional space needed for the veteran . VCP ’ s specially trained Veteran Support Services team works with each veteran to address the underlying causes of their homelessness .
With the support of their case managers and the other residents ( battle buddies ), the veterans work to achieve incremental , lasting results in health and wellness , income stability , education and training , fiscal understanding , and the development of
“ 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 .
The residents of the Kansas City VCP Village represent every branch of the military and nearly five generations of service . Approximately 10 % of the veterans are women . Their shared experiences of service and homelessness create a unique and powerful sense of community . When a veteran knows someone has his or her back , their fear is diminished , strength is revealed , and hope is restored .
Studies show that the veteran population is two times more likely to become chronically homeless than other groups . Approximately 20 % of homeless males are veterans , while female Veterans are the fastest-growing demographic of unsheltered people in the United States . Of those , 89 % received an honorable discharge , 50 % are 51 or older , 47 % served in Vietnam , and 51 % have service-related disabilities .
The root causes of veteran homelessness are varied and complex . Long periods of unemployment , mental or physical illness , substance abuse , and a breakdown of traditional support networks all contribute to a veteran ’ s loss of basic human needs .
Many people associate VCP with its tiny house village , but VCP also provides critical support services for veterans through the Veterans Outreach Center . The Veteran Outreach Center is a walk-in center located on the tiny house campus . Any veteran
24 August 2022 Continued on page 34�