FAQ
General Information & Eligibility
What is the James A. Peterson Veteran Village and what is a "Tiny Home"?
The James A. Peterson Veteran Village is a revolutionary housing initiative designed to provide shelter, stability, and privacy for homeless and at-risk veterans. The village features 15 individual, beautifully crafted tiny homes. Each home serves as a veteran’s private sanctuary and is fully furnished with essentials, including a comfortable bed, refrigerator, microwave, Keurig coffee machine, and television. By providing a safe, personal space rather than a traditional transient shelter environment, we give veterans the dignity and stability they need to focus on healing and rebuilding their lives.
Who is eligible for housing assistance through VOW?
Our tiny home village program is dedicated to assisting homeless or at-risk veteran households who are committed to making a positive transition back into self-sufficiency. Eligibility is extended to men and women who have served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces. Because our program is structured around holistic recovery and personal growth, candidates must be willing to actively participate in our supportive services, peer groups, and accountability programming.
How can a veteran apply for the Tiny Home Village program?
If you or a veteran you know is experiencing homelessness or is at imminent risk of losing housing, please contact our administrative team directly at 262-221-8350 or visit our headquarters on Yout Street. We will guide you through the initial intake process, evaluate your specific needs, and discuss current village availability or alternative supportive resources.
Our Programs & Supportive Services
What programs and services are offered by VOW to village residents?
We believe that stable housing is just the first step. To ensure long-term success, VOW provides comprehensive, trauma-informed programming that addresses the physical, psychological, and practical needs of our veterans. Our services include:
- Mental & Emotional Wellness: On-site peer support groups, meditation, yoga, art therapy, and specialized group recovery sessions focusing on PTSD and AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) healing.
- Life Skills & Self-Sufficiency: Structured, individualized guidance covering financial literacy, personal budgeting, job search facilitation, and resume building.
- Community Reintegration: Shared cooking classes, organized community field trips, and collaborative volunteer projects that help rebuild a sense of camaraderie and purpose.
- Permanent Housing Placement: Dedicated case management to help veterans transition from their tiny home into stable, permanent housing of their own.
What is the SC Johnson Community Center?
While the tiny homes provide private sleeping and living quarters, the SC Johnson Community Center serves as the heart of the village. It provides our residents with all the vital amenities of a traditional home. Inside the center, veterans have 24/7 access to full-sized kitchen facilities, a shared dining area, modern laundry rooms, private showers, restrooms, and a comfortable recreational lounge for socializing, workshops, and community meetings.
The Veterans Marketplace
What is the VOW Veterans Marketplace?
The Veterans Marketplace is our on-site, complimentary food pantry designed to combat food insecurity among local military families. Operating like a traditional grocery store, the marketplace is stocked with fresh produce, meats, dairy products, bakery items, canned goods, and essential personal care and hygiene products. It allows visitors to shop with dignity, selecting the specific items their households need most.
Who is eligible to utilize the VOW Veterans Marketplace?
The marketplace is completely free of charge to any registered veteran, active-duty military member, or surviving spouse of a veteran. To utilize the marketplace, individuals just need to complete a brief registration process at our facility and provide proof of military service (such as a DD214, VA healthcare card, or military ID). Once registered, qualifying households can shop at the marketplace on a weekly basis during our regular operating hours.
Funding & How to Support
How is Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin funded?
VOW is a community-supported, grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We rely entirely on the generosity of passionate everyday neighbors, local businesses, civic organizations, and private foundations. Because we do not rely on heavy government funding, your financial contributions directly fuel our day-to-day operations, maintain the village, and stock the marketplace shelves.
How can I financially support VOW or volunteer my time?
There are several powerful ways to make a difference in the lives of our veterans:
- Financial Donations: You can make secure one-time or recurring monthly donations directly on our website, or mail checks to our corporate headquarters. Monthly giving is especially impactful, as it provides sustainable, predictable support for our programs.
- Volunteerism: We are always looking for dedicated individuals and corporate groups to volunteer. Opportunities include helping organize and restock the Veterans Marketplace, assisting with community center meal preparation, property maintenance, landscaping, or assisting with local fundraising events. Please fill out the volunteer form on our website to get started.
What physical donation items are most needed?
To keep our tiny homes and marketplace running smoothly, we continuously accept physical donations. Our most consistently needed items include:
- Marketplace Foods: Fresh produce, ground meats, canned soups, cereal, shelf-stable milk, and baking staples.
- Personal Care: Shampoo, body wash, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, and toothpaste.
- Household Essentials: Toilet paper, paper towels, high-efficiency (HE) laundry detergent pods, and cleaning supplies.
- Village Specifics: Single-serve Keurig K-Cups, paper plates, and plastic utensils.
For immediate, real-time needs, you can also view and purchase items directly from our curated Amazon Wishlist link found on our donation page, which ships supplies straight to our facility.
