CBS 21 Days of Caring | Homeless vets find community

DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Veterans’ Grove is not a shelter, but a village for veterans who need a home where they can build genuine relationships, sharing the same thing in common – a love for the country, bonding through their acts of service.

The Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania built a village of tiny homes to design a unique community with care, helping veterans experiencing homelessness to get back on their feet.

Renewal By Anderson of Central Pennsylvania recognized the cause and brought the ideas of the Veterans' Outreach of Pennsylvania into fruition, sponsoring this community development donating windows, doors, and providing months of labor which now the Veterans' can call home.

Linda Johnston the General Manager of Renewal by Anderson comes from a military family and investing in this project was near and dear to her heart right from the beginning.

"When I met with Veteran's Outreach of Pennsylvania I knew I had to be apart of it. We donated all windows and doors and challenged other businesses during the construction phase. On days of caring, we are heading into the holiday season so we want Veteran's Outreach to be at the top of our list," said Johnston.

Located along the Susquehanna river, Veterans Grove is a tranquil space where fifteen tiny homes surround a community for veteran’s to not only lay their heads but for them to build camaraderie, healing, and a stable support network offered to them before they left for service.

It took 11 months to build the compound from the ground up according to Veterans' Outreach of Pennsylvania and Tom Zimmerman the Co-founder could not wait to open the doors to retired soldiers who needed a helping hand.

"It's giving them pride - it's giving them dignity, 

giving them a life that they deserve they were willing to sacrifice their life for our freedom, they deserve better. Our veterans have experienced some hard times and we are here to be that hand up and guide them to graduate from our program and to be a pillar in helping our next Veteran.

Johnston with Renewal by Anderson of Central Pennsylvania partnered with Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania, recognizing the need of what needed to be done, acknowledging the tremendous sacrifices veteran’s and military families make.

Nancy Ryan, the spokesperson for the company encourages everyone to still donate as we head into the colder season to help show continued support for our veteran neighbors.

"We are going to need winter coats at some point, so head onto the Veterans Outreach website to donate what you can," said Ryan.

If you would like to show your support for Veterans' in need you can go to the Veteran's Outreach of Pennsylvania's website to contribute. Read more at https://local21news.com/community/cbs-21-days-of-caring/homeless-veterans-can-now-call-a-place-home-after-a-community-is-designed-for-them-veterans-outreach-of-pa-grove-tiny-homes#