VETERANch is an equine and animal assisted PTSD therapy ranch for veterans that is operated by homeless veterans living at the ranch. All the skills they learn while managing a community of this size will help them as they reintegrate into society. VETERANch will be built on 500+ acres in Southwestern Montana. VETERANch plans to produce the green energy and utilities to be self sustaining while also expanding the farming, gardening and wilderness therapy programs.
To be more concise,
VETERANch will be community of veterans helping veterans get back onto their feet and be the best they can be. Homeless veterans will learn new job skills to maintain a veteran’s PTS therapy ranch while every veteran living at VETERANch support the operations of the community.
Why do we want or need to do this?
Easy short explanation? When I was medically discharged from the military and had to use the VA, the very first time I was driving down the off ramp, there were homeless veterans lined up both sides of the lanes waiting on the light to turn red so that they could panhandle change. When I asked the local VA representative at the time, why are veterans, homeless and begging for money?
I got the wrong excuses and unsatisfactory answers.
Not only, did I go out and start asking for the real reasons why? I started to help the homeless veterans to the best of my ability by making backpacks with new clothes,toiletries and necessities with the money I had after paying my monthly bills. No matter what branch of service the homeless veterans were in, these were my brothers and sisters and our GOVERNMENT or the Veterans Administration were failing us and was not doing enough with shelter or mental healthcare. If I am being honest, it is better but not by much and I still do not think they are doing enough. After a few years of working to help the homeless veterans and hearing about their experiences, I went and lived on the street for 6 months to find out exactly what was happening to veterans that were living on the street in my locality. That experience of living on the street incentivized me to get a second job to help more homeless veterans. The money I saved during that six months on the street helped pay for all the paperwork that it took to create what became and is becoming the VETERANch.
Almost every person that I explained what VETERANch is and what it was about, told me it was a great idea and that they wanted to help but I hear crickets now that I have non-profit status and have all the coarse details mapped out. The few that did not think it was a great idea, told me it was overly ambitious, it could not work and I can’t help everyone. My answer to that is I can try and watch me. On top of that, every email that I have sent to a government official about what I think could be done to help with the homeless problems, were either ignored or I was sent a official form letter thanking me for my concern and they would look into the matter. I have emailed the President of the United States and three presidents later, several senators, many representatives, governors, the VA and even HUD.. Still nothing.. All of this has just made my stubborn mind, more determined to prove some people wrong and the people in power to take notice, because I will and am doing this…With or without their help or approval… It would be nice to have but I do not need it when many Americans want to help. I completely understand the feeling that people have about not trusting charities because I also feel the same way, especially when I see where the money really goes. I also know I am asking for people’s trust while I am asking for their help financially but I will ask for help any way that I can get it, because I just can not do it all by myself. I really wish I could, because asking for money and doing all this, is harder than I ever imagined.
I sincerely thank you for your time.