Our Goals
Across the United States, a recognizable need has developed for the provision of outreach services for the underserved veteran population, including young and aging war veterans. While the obstacles that must be faced by this demographic can be seen as immeasurable, some of the most pressing issues facing today’s community are the number of military families living in poverty and the lack of development programs aimed towards those who have served in the military. Each year the statistics become more disheartening, illustrating the dire need for programs that seek to break these cycles and begin reversing these disturbing trends.
Recent surveys have shown that a staggering amount of veterans have difficulty making ends meet when seeking adequate housing and basic needs. In 2011, about 5.2 million veteran-headed households spent over 30 percent of their income on housing costs. Almost a quarter of those households spent more than half of their income on housing costs. The rising housing costs make it difficult for these families to save for potential emergencies, or afford other essential items, due to a large portion of their income being directed towards housing needs.
Adopt a Room
30% of all homeless individuals in Michigan are veterans. On any given day, there are over 1,600 homeless veterans in the State of Michigan.
I Carried The Cross Foundation has been serving homeless veterans since 2009. In the past fiscal year, we have helped many homeless veterans find jobs, housing, financial resources, and clinical support.
I Carried The Cross Foundation is currently renovating an old assisted living home location to provide Affordable Housing for veterans. The necessary renovations include upgrading the electrical system, re-flooring, building and painting walls, adding new furniture, repairing the septic system, renovating and repairing the basement converting it into a fully equipped Rehabilitation/workout and fitness training facility, building a veterans’ Memorial, an RV park, a greenhouse, a fishing pond and barns. We need your help.
For $2,000, you or your organization can help us renovate one room and it all does not have to be paid at once. We will accept any payment plan. As a thank you, a placard will be hung above the door in your honor, forever showing your support of our country’s brave heroes.
If you cannot adopt a complete room at this time, your donation will help provide the materials necessary for the renovations. Every little bit helps!
Thank you for helping us honor the sacrifices of our brave veterans by providing them with the housing and support they need.
We welcome you to tour our facility so that you can see firsthand how you have helped decrease Veteran homelessness in Michigan. Please call (517) 281-6299 for more information or email us at ictcf@ictcf.org.
Housing for Veterans
Through this program, we hope to prevent veterans from becoming homeless or to remove them from homelessness. The organization will either purchase available houses or accept donated houses in need of renovation. We will recruit veterans and service personnel to employ them to work on renovating such properties. Once the home renovations are complete, we will provide housing to veterans and veteran families in need of assistance to get back on their feet.
Eligibility guidelines for the homes will require individuals to:
- Be a veteran or an immediate family member of a veteran.
- Be in immediate need of a home.
- Meet VA guidelines for a homeless veteran or provide evidence they are 6-months away from meeting the guidelines.
Our organization will attempt to shorten the application process as efficiently as possible to ensure that individuals and families receive assistance without delay. To apply for the program, applicants must provide evidence of honorable discharge from a U.S. branch of the military and documentation of their qualification, or soon-to-be qualification, as homeless under VA guidelines as established through The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
The goal of this program is to assist individuals in becoming independent from public assistance. While residing in the home, every veteran and veteran family will be responsible for the house’s upkeep, work to improve their education/job prospects, and volunteer within the organization to assist other participants. The organization’s representatives will establish an action plan based on each individual’s needs to move them towards a life of self-sufficiency. Each program created will include a timeline and the steps they must perform on their road to independence. Our administrators do not anticipate individuals residing in the homes for longer than a twenty-four-month period.
Sacred Grounds Retreat Lodge & Veterans Home
This Lodge will provide a place of Rebuilding, Relaxation, Recreation, Rehabilitation, and Fellowship for all Veterans, Active Service Men, Women, and Their Families.
The Lodge offers a retreat for reuniting families after deployments, a place to stay for Homeless Veterans and to serve all veterans regardless of affiliation. The property consists of nearly 6 acres that include 2 acres of a wooded area. When completed, it will have accommodations for 20 veterans with 12 rooms, 5.5 bathrooms, sunroom, conference/recreation center, computer lab/training room, a commercial kitchen, two decks, two patios, and two handicapped ramps.
It is the Foundation’s Goal to build a Veterans’ Memorial, an RV park for about 10 visiting RVs, a pavilion, caretaker’s and staff housing, a greenhouse, an organic gardening spot, a fishing pond, barns for raising livestock, and a fully equipped Rehabilitation/workout and fitness training facility.