Your donations will allow us to provide Emergency Funds to Veteran struggling to make ends meet; shelter; food; Care Packages; Job Search; assistance with application process; outreach to other organizations such as local VSO, Veterans Hospitals, mental health support & other assistance programs.
***A father of three young kids came to Western Slope Veterans Coalition struggling to keep a roof over their heads and clothing on their back all due to: 1) COVID; 2) Job loss; 3) unsafe transportation; and 4) lack of monetary funds for repairs - his request to us was for money to pay back due rent and auto repairs which exceeded $4000 with no guarantee that these repairs would indeed solve the transportation issue -- so, what did WSVC do? Yes, we helped with back due rent and purchased food, clothing, and shoes for his kids, helped him prepare and search for employment AND, we collaborated with a local tow company that also claims ownership, cleans, and clears titles of vehicles that are towed, impounded, and not reclaimed, and purchased a car for half the cost of repairs -- result?? He found a new and better paying job, kept his apartment, kids were enrolled in school and were able to concentrate on their education and building a relationship with their dad! A HAND UP - not a handout!***
***We recently had a veteran come in to our office in tears. She was about to loose her home having recently lost her job due to covid-19, and her survivor's benefits due to her child turning 18, this year. We were her last hope, she stated! She was handed an emergency fund application and copies of her documents were attained and process for assistance began. Unsure of what would happen next, she reluctantly, but ever so hopeful, turned in all requested forms and paperwork. It took 1 day to get approval for her to receive enough assistance with bills, rent, etc. for two months. Then, we began the process of assisting her with job application. Our office assistant, Sierra, patiently sat with her at the computer and walked her through the process of completing on-line applications. Two days later she was hired by one of our local business driving a tourist bus. The entire process took less than a week; Sierra's first week of working with us, She is 23 years old and our veteran is in her 60's! what a connection.***
The mission of the Western Slope Veterans Coalition (WSVC) is to ensure that every veteran and family living in the Roaring Fork and Eagle Valleys have the support and resources they need to live a healthy, safe, fulfilling, and productive life. In collaboration with our many partners, the WSVC creates a critical point of connection and information between public and private efforts designed to help and engage local veterans as well as local businesses and community members. It is through community development and participation in community activities/ projects, that we will maintain and increase our board and staff participation in not only this but all projects involving local Veterans and their families. Our goal is to expand our facility and outreach, while our board evaluates what has worked best to meet our goals and mission.
In 2015, after the suicides of two Marine Corps Combat Veterans Jesse Beckius and Casey Owens, a group of veterans from the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys banded together to assist fellow veterans, resulting in conversations about the need to increase coordination and resources in support of those with military experience.
From the work of this committed group of individuals (all volunteers) throughout the Colorado, Roaring Fork and Eagle valleys, the Western Slope Veterans Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was formed.
Organization name
Western Slope Veterans Coalition
other names
WSVC
2016
Tax id (EIN)
81-1898048
Category
Military & Veterans Organizations
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
801 Colorado AveHeadquarters
801 Colorado AveMailing
PO Box 3185Garfield County, CO, US