Our incredible team in southern Minnesota hosted a Stand Down in Mankato on September 18. It was a beautiful day at Franklin Rogers Field. Learn more here.
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American Legion Interview |
American Legion recently sat down with our Metro Housing Team Leader, David Nguyen, to hear his story and why he is determined to support his brothers and sisters in arms. Read the article here!
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North St. Paul Ribbon-Cutting |
Local ABC station KSTP covered our ribbon-cutting ceremony at MACV's new transitional housing property in North St. Paul. We can't wait to start using this beautiful house to stabilize Veterans in crisis. Check out their report here.
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Letter from a MACV Veteran |
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Nobody can tell a Veteran's story better than the person who lived through it. MACV recently received a letter from one of our Veterans, and we want to share his journey in his own words. Check out this excerpt from the full letter below.
"My name is Andy Lindgren, I am 51 now and reside in a small town in northern Itasca county, Bigfork, thanks to you folks. Please allow me to share. After high school I joined the Navy, and was stationed in San Diego, CA (87-91). I was involved in what today is referred to as the “Gulf War.” I was honorably discharged, went to college, and worked in a research lab for the U of M for 24 years. My wife at the time, and I raised 3 wonderful children, had a beautiful home out in the country outside Grand Rapids, with every toy one could ever dream of. I also am a real alcoholic, in recovery today. Throughout the last 5 years of my active addiction, unfortunately, the disease of alcoholism left me with not even the shirt on my back.
I lost EVERTHING I had worked towards in my entire adult life. My job at the U, my 25-year marriage, relationships with my children, as well as most of my extended family, all my possessions, you name it, and woke up one morning behind the library very cold, lonely, depressed and angry at myself for poor decision, four miles from my once $350,000 home. Unfortunately, as a result, several unforeseen cataclysmic events followed. I have been through multiple treatment centers, jailed several times for two DUIs, multiple relapses on probation, ERs with alcohol levels that should have killed me twice over, I could not keep track of how many times in detox. It was horrible. Unthinkable, today, that I survived through it. "
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month |
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Tough. Strong. Self-reliant. These words capture what immediately comes to mind when describing Veterans, military personnel, and the people who support them. We also describe people experiencing domestic violence with these terms, and too often we encounter a person who identifies as both a Veteran and a victim of domestic violence.
Events in the past six months have created a nearly 20% jump in Veteran homelessness rates throughout Minnesota, and a growing number of these Veterans are women. “We see the same barriers over and over,” comments MACV case manager Kimberly Dotstry. What sets this period apart is the additional challenge posed by accessing resources and safe shelter while complying with public health and safety protocol.
Shifting demographics in the U.S. military compels MACV to continually assess our approach and its effectiveness for women. Female Veterans often face additional barriers to stability compared to their male counterparts, such as primary responsibility caring for minor children with smaller incomes than men. Mental illness, trauma experienced either inside or outside the line of duty, substance abuse, and volatile behavior contribute to the challenge women face when seeking services from mainstream military service organizations. Attitudes in the armed forces which emphasize self-reliance and a soldier’s “toughness,” while beneficial and embraced in military culture, can counteract Veterans’ willingness to seek help.
Women often become homeless when escaping domestic violence; Veterans are no exception to this reality. About a third of women Veterans experience intimate partner violence at some point in their lives, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Defense Department's most recent report on sexual assault in the military showed a 38-percent increase in assaults against women service members since 2016. During times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence tends to increase as couples face unprecedented stress and instability.
According to MACV Case Manager Kimberly Dotstry, “When a woman is fleeing domestic violence, she is automatically homeless in that moment.” Women who depend on their partner for financial stability are particularly disadvantaged when fleeing an abusive relationship. Establishing the trust necessary to learn about these painful experiences and their impact on the Veteran often takes months of careful work from skilled service providers.
October is domestic violence awareness month. To learn more about this issue and how the VA can help, please visit their website.
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Eagle Group Virtual Job Meeting: Tuesdays (weekly), 5pm - Join Online
Give to the Max Day: Thursday, Nov. 19 - Share Link
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Partner Spotlight: Dave's River Valley Harley Davidson of Mankato |
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This year, we gained a wonderful community partner by connecting with Dave’s River Valley Harley Davidson of Mankato. During the warmer months, the staff at Dave’s host BBQs at their store on Saturdays. The events always encourage attendees to donate to a cause; any money raised from these events has been donated to MACV in order to help local Veterans in need. This year Dave's went a step farther and did a clothing drive prior to our Mankato Stand Down event, allowing us to distribute free, warm clothing to Veterans in attendance at the Stand Down. The partnership with Dave’s River Valley Harley Davidson has been an incredible blessing for the Southern Minnesota MACV team. We look forward to continuing this partnership in the months and years ahead. |
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Disabled American Veterans
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Duluth chapter showed their ongoing commitment to serving Veterans by donating a payment-free van to a Northern Minnesota MACV Veteran in August 2020.
Andrew, a MACV Veteran participating in our Employment Services and Housing programs, needed transportation for his job as a carpenter. We can't thank DAV enough for coming through for another Veteran in need!
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Golden Valley Golf Club hosted their third Tee It Up for the Troops event to benefit MACV on Sunday, September 13. The fundraiser combined an exciting golf event with an inspiring opening ceremony and tribute to our nation and military, then ended the day with a rousing reception and auction to raise more funds for Minnesota Veterans. Special thanks to Pat Reis for this opportunity!
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The Housing First Minnesota Foundation is a nonprofit organization which builds and remodels transitional housing for Minnesotans in need. They have become a valued partner in MACV's transitional housing program, and recently continued their support through a virtual gala and auction to benefit MACV programs on Thursday, October 1. Thank you for your ongoing generosity! |
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Wells Fargo and Apple Autos |
Wells Fargo and Apple Autos collaborated to donate a brand-new, payment-free Ford F-150 to MACV in addition to 6 move-In kits to help homeless veterans get back on their feet and back on the road. Valued at over $35,000, this gift greatly increases MACV staff's capacity to serve our Veterans and care for our properties. Thank you so much, Wells Fargo and Apple Autos! |
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Lavender Magazine wrapped up a monthlong online auction to benefit MACV on October 8, which resulted in raising over $3,500 to support our programs. Thank you for such committed partnership, Lavender; we look forward to continued collaboration for years to come! |
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Over the past year, Edina Realty Foundation has funded the entire remodel of our Veteran transitional home in South Minneapolis. This week proudly showcased this brand new modern kitchen with their staff. They even brought move-in kits with all the supplies to get things cooking. Thank you for continuing to improve the lives of those who served! |
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Thank You to Last Month's Donors |
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Annual Gifts over $50,000
Lennar Foundation
MidCountry Bank
Wells Fargo Foundation
Minnesota Masonic Charities
Otto Bremer Trust
Leonard J. Mikulay Foundation
Gifts over $5,000
RBC Foundation
El Dorado Bar
Lavender Magazine
Gifts over $1,000
Garry Insurancenter
Bowlers to Veterans Link
Live to Give
Stinson LLP
J. Long Clothing of Mankato
James Delgreco Household
Ron and Bonnie Loidolt Household
Lake Elmo Jaycees
US Bank
William Long Household
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Gifts over $100
Integrity Holdings Real Estate
Mayo Foundation
Ron & Carolyn Groves Household
Mark Pocernich Household
Land O' Lakes
Alyson Beckman Household
Cynthia Geldert Household
Cathy Carter Household
Elks Lodge No. 1161
Guthrie Household
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Luke Eisenhauer Household
Paula Baumberger Household
American Legion Post 68
Lisa Deever Household
Christine E. Vatne Household
Stephen Lillyblad Household
Twin Ports Mustang Club
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You Can Help End Veteran Homelessness |
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Our team is working hard to stabilize Veterans without a place to shelter. |
We anticipate a growing number of homeless Veterans to seek services as winter sets in, and an eventual spike in eviction cases when the statewide moratorium on payment-related evictions lifts. Heavy enrollment in local rental assistance programs indicates that at least 7,800 households in the Twin Cities alone are in danger of losing their housing due to layoffs, furloughs, or other lost income.
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