Mission United: Supporting Those Who Have Sacrificed and Served
Barry County United Way leads the state in services for our veterans
Two years ago, a local business owner contacted Mission United—a Barry County United Way (BCUW) program supporting veterans—asking for help. They discovered an employee sleeping in his car, with nowhere to call home after a long day of work. The employee was a veteran and his life had been significantly disrupted since coming home from his tour.
Upon receiving the call, Mission United immediately began working with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and local organizations to find housing for the veteran. Today, the veteran is thriving. He is employed, has a room over his head, is sober after recovering from substance abuse and has reconnected with old friends and family.
“Helping and supporting veterans is at the core of what we do. It is unfortunate that some veterans face the hardships that they do each day, but with Mission United, we strive to be the constant support structure they need in order to thrive,” said BCUW Executive Director Lani Forbes.
Long before Mission United was formed in 2017, BCUW was connecting veterans in crisis with the assistance and support they needed to overcome barriers and lead happy healthy lives. In 2021, Mission United worked with 230 veteran households, providing 67% with tax assistance and delivering more than 2,000 meals.
Unfortunately, some veterans struggle to make ends meet once they leave the service. In a recent United for ALICE report in partnership with the Michigan Association of United Ways, it found that more than a quarter of veterans in Michigan lived in a household with income below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold. This includes veterans who do not earn enough to afford housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, a phone plan and even taxes.
At Mission United, veterans in crisis frequent the office every week to receive support. Per week, an average of six to eight veterans come in for assistance, whether it be finding resources to fix a flat tire, receiving help on Wi-Fi or technology, asking for utility support, managing finances or finding employment.
Mission United also provides emergency assistance through the Soldiers & Sailors Relief Fund to qualifying veterans, including those who have been honorably discharged, indigent soldiers, sailors, marines, nurses, members of the women’s auxiliaries and the indigent wives, widows, and minor children of such indigent or deceased soldier. Further assistance is also made available through the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund.
For veterans, asking for support may seem daunting, but Mission United strives to have an honorable program where our nation’s heroes shouldn’t feel uncomfortable asking for help after they’ve selflessly devoted their lives to protecting our freedoms.
If you or someone you know is a veteran and in need of support, please contact your 2-1-1 to get started.