Lauren Andrade got the idea for Serenity Veterans Village, located in Waxahachie and Palmer, Texas, a decade ago when she was still a soldier.
“After getting back from Iraq in 2010, three of my fellow deployed soldiers became homeless within six months. I couldn’t do anything to help them then, but now we can with the generosity of so many of you.”
The mission of SVV is simple: provide housing and a hand-up, not a hand-out, to homeless veterans. Currently, we house Twelve – including three children. We help long-term, not just weekly or monthly.
We help long-term, not just weekly or monthly.
One family of four, and one family (veteran and his daughter) have graduated in the last two years.
Graduation means debts are cleared, working on credit while being employed and have moved into their own homes.
Veterans do not pay anything for 30-90 days, and most veterans do not have recurring debt. For example, SVV recently housed a Vietnam vet on full retirement who was Donating $250 a month, his maximum amount paid to SVV for utilities. He passed away on Thanksgiving.
How Does A Vet Qualify?
A veteran qualifies to live at SVV by being homeless or at-risk. At-risk includes living week-to-week, having domestic issues, losing a job or facing eviction.
They enter into the contract:
-
To work (or volunteer for Serenity) 20 hours a week
-
Sign contractual agreement to abstain from alcohol and drugs.
-
They must show proof of service in any military.
-
For surviving spouse/dependents, the death certificate of the veteran is sufficient.
Learn more via the URL shown in the “Website Address” box above…