Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1478944
12 UCW SEPTEMBER 14 - 20, 2022 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM So many of America's soldiers sign on to serve, kiss their families good- bye, and deploy to far-away destina- tions and uncertain futures. While the threat of danger, harm, and even death may be part and par- cel of the uniform, many soldiers re- turn with few resources to reintegrate into civilian life. Incidents of mental illness and substance abuse are partic- ularly high within this demographic, making them vulnerable to housing instability and homelessness. According to the United States Inter- agency Council on Homelessness, there are currently around 38,000 homeless veterans in America. How- ever, that number has decreased dra- matically since 2010. North Carolina has also seen a major decline in its homeless veteran population, still, the fight to place veterans in safe, acces- sible housing continues in Fayetteville. In support of those continued ef- forts, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers have donated $10,000 in sponsorship of e Big Tiny Project, an initiative created to help veterans in crisis. Low- es, Wells Fargo, the All-Veteran Group, U.S. Veterans Corps, Window World, and ServiceSource are all sponsors of this special project as well. Off-Road Outreach, a nonprofit organization based in Fayetteville, conceived e Big Tiny Project as a tiny-home community that will serve as temporary housing for at-risk veterans before they move on to more permanent housing. "No Veteran Left Behind," Off-Road Outreach's motto, echoes through- out their efforts to provide resources and care for Fayetteville's homeless veteran population. Offering mo- bile showers and laundry services to homeless vets from the back of their jeep, Off-Road Outreach creates opportunities to restore dignity and respect to a demographic often over- looked by society. Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Kristen Nett, community and media relations manager for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers about the organization's involvement with the project. "We have been working with Off- Road Outreach since I landed in this position," she explained. "Off-Road Outreach is an incredible organization that helps homeless and low-income veterans with physical, social and mental needs." e Woodpeckers Foundation and the Community Leaders Program's donation of $10,000 will cover reno- vation costs for three 290-foot tiny homes in which veterans can live for up to 180 days free of charge. In addition to housing services, e Big Tiny Project will offer on-site support for veterans as they navigate access to their benefits, identification services, and referrals for mental and physical health. Financial, transporta- tion, and employment help will be available. Veterans will also have ac- cess to a food pantry and community garden. Involved in several endeavors aimed at supporting the community, the Woodpeckers' latest partnership with Off-Road Outreach seems especially on-brand for the charitable organiza- tion. "e Woodpeckers are proud to support military initiatives," Nett shared. "With Fort Bragg being so close, it only makes sense that we do everything we can to support those who sacrifice so much for us." e Big Tiny Project, scheduled to conclude at the beginning of 2023, is designed to take a holistic approach to the issue of veteran homelessness. e initiative not only gives these brave men and women the keys to a house, but the tools necessary to create a home. For more information on the Wood- peckers Foundation and Community Leaders Program, please visit www. fayettevillewoodpeckers.com. For more information on Off-Road Outreach, visit https://offroadout- reach.com/. Nonprofit offers a tiny solution to a big problem by ASHLEY SHIRLEY NEWS Health, Vision, Dental Insurance Property and Casualty Insurance Retirement Benefits Paid Leave, Paid Holidays Cafeteria Plan (IRS Code Section 125) Cancer - Intensive Care or Critical Care Employee Assistance Program Flexible Spending TRICARE Supplement Benefits • • • • • • • • • hr@faytechcc.edu • (910) 678-7342 • (910) 678-8378 WE ARE ACTIVELY RECRUITING! We offer an excellent benefits package to include: To view the qualifications and/or apply for these and other positions, please visit our employment opportunities at https://faytechcc.peopleadmin.com/. For assistance or questions please contact FTCC Human Resources Start your new career with SCAN QR CODE FOR MORE INFORMATION: ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. (Photo courtesy Kristen Nett, the Woodpeckers)