Marilyn Beyer
Have you thanked a veteran lately? Those who have served in the US Military deserve our appreciation for the time and efforts they have given to keep our country free! Many of our brave servicemen and women return home facing a unique set of challenges, including finding stable housing and adjusting to civilian life. Every veteran deserves the chance to live with dignity and security.
Veterans Village, located at 2919 W Glenpark Drive in Appleton, is an affordable housing complex for veterans from Brown, Calumet, Outagamie, Waupaca and Winnebago Counties. The complex’s convenient location allows residents easy access to the VA Clinic, Tri-County Dental Clinic and Fox Valley Technical College, which hosts the largest population of veteran students. The courtyard features flickering flame, water fountains and gray granite pillars engraved with words ‘HONOR,’ ‘DUTY,’ ‘FREEDOM,’ ‘VALOR,’ and ‘SERVE,’ representing the values of the six branches of our military. Veterans Village is a first-of-a-kind village that includes reasonable rent, help with claiming benefits, community support, and a community for veterans and their families throughout their lifespan, as they live preferably in a veteran-centric culture. Veterans are directed to career counseling, financial, health, and human services support from existing community resources. In addition, Veterans Village provides, at no cost, a meeting location for more than ten nonprofits.
The idea for the Veterans Village was sparked by Tom Wiltzius of Appleton, a retired Army major who served in the Vietnam War. When he was searching for a home for his mother, a World War II veteran, Wiltzius was disappointed with how veterans are often treated at the end of their lives, according to a 2020 Post-Crescent report. In 2020, Wiltzius founded Wisconsin Veterans Village Association, a partnership with Outagamie County Housing Authority and the Fox Valley Veterans Council to make his vision a reality. Although veterans started living in the apartments as they became available, the 48-apartment building was first purchased in April 2023, through individual and corporate donations and a 3% land contract, from the Outagamie Housing Authority. In 2024, all 48 apartments are now remodeled.
All apartments are currently occupied, and there is a waiting list. Five veterans who previously resided at Veterans Village were able to save and purchase their own homes, and four veterans have started their own businesses. Rental rates are 30-50 percent below market; sixteen 1-bedroom apartments rent for $685, twenty-eight 2-bedroom apartments rent for $765, and the four 3-bedroom apartments rent for $840 a month. These rents include water, heat and basic cable/internet. The veterans complete an application for a background and income review. If the financial payment is an issue, the veteran can be assisted in obtaining other sources of income. Residents can stay as long as they pay their rent and follow the rules; and if the veteran dies, the spouse can stay.
Veterans Village is 100 percent funded by members of the community. All funds donated stay locally. Veterans Village has many volunteers, but only one employee, a full-time navigator, who works with the veterans. All twelve board members are volunteers, of which eight have served in the military, and others are family members of veterans. In addition, a leadership team of tenants meet monthly to plan community events and discuss ways to improve the grounds; one person attends board meetings as a spokesperson.
The Veterans Village Association is reaching out to you today with an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our nation’s veterans. The goal is to raise funds to pay down the debt so an additional apartment building can be built that will help more veterans with housing and alleviate the waiting list. Sometime, in the near future, hospice services could be added. Veterans Village is a 501C3 charitable organization, and your donations are tax deductible.
A group of veteran supporters have planned a huge fundraising event to help us meet Veterans Village goals. The benefit, “Homes 4 WI Veterans Village” wiil be held on November 8 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at Tanners Bar & Grill, 730 S Railroad St in Kimberly. The event includes live entertainment, $10 lunch, live auction, 50/50, gun raffle, over 275 raffle baskets, bake sale and much more! If you want more information, a tour Veterans Village or can’t attend on November 8, search “Homes 4 WI Veterans Village” on Facebook or the Wisconsin Veterans Village website: wisvva.org. By contributing to this cause, you will be providing direct support to those who have served our country with honor!
If questions about this press release, please contact:
Don Carper Marilyn Beyer
Wi Veterans Village Association, Inc Veterans Village Benefit Team
(920) 574-3350 (920) 284-7115
www.wisvva.org marilynbeyer26@gmail.com
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