March 2025
At Michigan Veteran Homes, we're fortunate that so many supporters show our veterans their love. Valentine's Day is one of those many moments throughout the year where our veterans are the grateful recipients of so much love and generosity from our community of supporters.
Amongst those making this Valentine's Day extra special for MVH veterans were UPS Future Leaders, the American Legion Auxiliary, New Attitudes Dance Studios, the band '41West', Cloverland Band, Friends of Rolling Rock Ranch, VFW Post & Auxiliary 3165 Negaunee, Marquette Elks Lodge 405, Chassell VFW Post 6507, Charlotte VFW Post 2406, and the Father Marquette Catholic Academy 3rd Graders - along with many others.
We're fortunate our communities remember - and give generously - to our veterans. Check out the Valentine's Day events at MVH at Grand Rapids, MVH at Chesterfield Township, and MVH D.J. Jacobetti.
Thank you to everyone who make life better for veterans, at MVH!
The Jacobetti replacement project in the Upper Peninsula continues to move forward, with the State of Michigan acquiring 38+ acres of land in Marquette Township as the future intended site of MVH D.J. Jacobetti. MVH is collaborating with the Marquette County Road Commission on the rerouting of Venture Drive - the road that intersects the 38+ acres - to allow appropriate layout of the future home and to minimize disruption and ensure safe roadways for residents of the area. As bids are being reviewed for the project, MVH is also working to secure the offered federal grant funds necessary to break ground this year. MVH anticipates breaking ground on the new MVH D.J. Jacobetti in the late May to June 2025 timeframe, with much to accomplish in the interim.
"This has been a journey. A journey with some twists and turns along the way, but one that has been - and continues to be - worth it, to bring this state-of-the-art home to veterans and family members of the broader Upper Peninsula. We remain excited and optimistic to continue collaborating with our partners at the Marquette County Road Commission and Marquette Charter Township, and to bring renderings of the new Jacobetti to life for U.P. veterans. They deserve it." -Anne Zerbe, Executive Director, Michigan Veteran Homes.
To stay up-to-date on the Jacobetti project, you can visit our website at The NEW Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti, follow Jacobetti on Facebook, and/or subscribe to this newsletter. We're excited about what lies ahead.
Life is different better at Michigan Veteran Homes. That statement certainly holds true for life at MVH at Chesterfield Township, where MVH veterans enjoy seemingly countless onsite activities, community outings like trips to the zoo, Tigers games, and more - all thanks to the generous support of the broader southeast Michigan community.
Indeed, when a veteran becomes a member at MVH, their family gains true partners in care through the MVH team. "It's about quality care and quality of life for the veteran. But it's also about their family and their loved ones," said Jennifer Manning, Administrator at MVH at Chesterfield Township. "They no can enjoy dad - for dad - and spend that quality, meaningful time with their loved one. They don't need to worry about the clinical needs and concerns, because we do that alongside them, as partners in care. At home, loved ones might have felt like the sole caregiver. At MVH, there's a team, ready to ensure the best care and quality of life, so family members can enjoy quality time with their loved veteran. We're here for them."
Life at MVH is better for veterans for many reasons: a remarkable staff of caregivers and service providers, incredible volunteers, and generous supporters. The quality of life experiences, programs, and initiatives we're able to deliver for MVH veterans in later in life and end of life care is thanks to generous giving to the MVH Charitable Support Fund (CSF). On behalf of MVH and the veterans we're privileged to serve - thank you to all of our generous supporters!
March is Careers in Aging Month: a time to celebrate, recognize, bring awareness to, and (for some) consider the plentiful career opportunities in long-term care and aging services. According to the American Health Care Association, "the U.S. will need between 5.7 million and 6.5 million nurses, nurse aides, home health, and personal care workers to care for the 27 million Americans who will require long-term care by 2050." MVH has some of those opportunities, and we're hiring! You can check out MVH jobs online, and we additionally have contracted service providers supporting our mission with positions that are in our homes every single day: one team, serving those who've served us. Visit michigan.gov/MVH to learn more.
Did you know that Michigan Veteran Homes (MVH) are part of a network of 171 State Veterans Homes (SVH) throughout the nation - and that there's at least one SVH in every state, and Puerto Rico?
Did you know that the SVH program dates back to the post-Civil War era, when states saw veterans that fought in the Civil War on the streets of their communities, needing care, and decided to do something about it? The first SVH opened in Rocky Hill, CT in 1864, and Michigan opened its first SVH in 1886.
Did you know that Congresswoman Jennifer Kiggans (Virginia) recently introduced the bipartisan H.R. 785, to provide the 171 SVHs a voice to advise the Secretary of the VA, by codifying SVH representation on the VA's Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee?
Did you know that MVH is governed by an oversight board appointed by the Governor? Or that the first woman member of MI's veteran homes oversight board was Retired Army Colonel Mildred Irene Clark Woodman, who served on the board from 1981-1987, and was the Board's Chairperson from 1986-1987?
State Veteran Homes, like Michigan Veteran Homes, are part of the history of our state, our communities, and our nation. Our veterans stood to serve each one of us, and now we're here to serve them. Together, it's our history.
The journey of Michigan Veteran Homes (MVH) spans fourteen decades - a journey with more triumphs, challenges, and stories than can possibly be shared here. Indeed, each of the thousands upon thousands of veterans served throughout the generations, is a life: a story.
So, while we won't attempt to share the countless stories here, we do think it important to share information about the role and impact of Michigan Veteran Homes. That's why we collaborated to create the below three videos about MVH. To tell the story - for those who know us, and those who don't. The story of our veteran homes - Michigan's Veteran Homes - is a story of care and compassion. It's a story about state and community being there for those men and women who served us. It's a story about our veterans, about us, and about our supporters.
Together with our communities, we are Michigan Veteran Homes.
Check out the videos below, about Michigan Veteran Homes.
Getting involved and making an impact in veterans' lives at MVH can look different for different people. Our 'No Member Dies Alone' program has a network of dedicated volunteers who stay bedside with veterans in the final days and hours of their lives, holding a hand, playing music, or sometimes just 'being there.' But that's not for everyone. Some volunteers attend outings in the community with MVH veterans, or support our staff and members at bingo. Some supporters participate in our events, like the 5k walks/runs/rolls, while other supporters provide monetary gifts to MVH's Charitable Support Fund, funding quality of life programming and initiatives for MVH veterans. Others seek out the MVH 'Wish Lists' to provide goods requested by the Home and its members, while still other talented allies collaborate with our activities department to put their skills - like music, magic, and more - to work, in entertaining our members. Still others - seeing the impact we have on veteran lives - choose to leave their legacy with MVH, through planned giving. However you make your impact on the lives of those who've worn the uniform, we encourage you to explore those opportunities with MVH. Together, we're changing lives for the better.
Visit our MVH events page to see some of the unique opportunities for community to get involved with the mission and members of Michigan Veteran Homes.
Donations to Michigan Veteran Homes are tax-deductible under 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Michigan Veteran Homes are making a difference in the lives of Michigan veterans and their loved ones. Join us.
Want to learn more about participating in the representative democracy our veterans stood to protect? Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.
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