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Just the Facts
Toll-Free Information: (800) 424-8360
Referral Hotline: (800) 851-0238
To Make a Donation: (866) 4VFWNHC
3573 S. Waverly Road
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
Ph: 517/663-1521 - Fax: 517/663-3727
THE VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN IS: A private, non-profit, licensed residential child care agency providing long and short term residency to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members. Services are also available for children of active-duty military service personnel who are not able to provide adequate care for their children through the approved family plan arrangement.
MISSION STATEMENT: The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children will provide children, youth and families of members of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary opportunities for growth and development in a nurturing community, and by doing so, will serve as a living memorial to all veterans.
HISTORY: Established in 1925, the National Home was created as a home for the dependants of war veterans and has grown to encompass families in crisis. Since its founding, more than 2,000 families have been served.
GOVERNED BY: 17-member Board of Trustees. 12 are elected, five are ex-officio members which include the VFW Commander-in-Chief, Adjutant General, Quartermaster General, Ladies Auxiliary National President and National Secretary Treasurer.
CHILDREN SERVED: Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of VFW and Ladies Auxiliary whose parents are deceased, disabled, or need assistance providing care. Children are served from birth to young adult status through a variety of programs, including Nursery, Residential, Single Parent Family, Military Family Program, Veteran Family Program and Aftercare Programs.
PROGRAMS:
The Residential Program provides for school-aged children whose parents are deceased, disabled or whose home environment is not conducive to their physical or emotional well-being. Children are offered educational support, recreation opportunities, 24-hour adult supervision, individual counseling as needed and medical and dental services. Professional child-care workers provide the care and guidance in a family-like setting to foster growth spiritually and emotionally.
The Aftercare Program affords youth who have participated in the Residential Program and have graduated or earned their GED to reside on the National Home campus as working adults and/or students for up to four years beyond high school graduation.
The Single Parent Family Program provides services for single parents and their children in a goal-oriented one to three year program assists in building stronger, healthier families. The goal of the program is to increase the single parent’s self-confidence in their ability to be independent and self-supportive by challenging them to set and meet personal and family goals.
The Military Family Program provides supportive services to members of the active-duty military, National Guard and Reserves during a period of deployment. Services are provided to the stay-behind spouse and children that assist in maintaining a strong family relationship during the hardship of spousal separation that can come from military deployment. The goal of the program is to increase the overall family stability at the conclusion of deployment.
The Veteran Family Program serves children within the whole family (veteran, spouse and children) when the veteran in the family is a member of the VFW, is in receipt of VA service connected disability compensation and is in pursuit of an approved VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program. The program is designed to supplement VA Vocational Rehabilitation to ensure lasting family stability and future vocational success.
EDUCATION PROGRAM: Children attend local public schools. The education department provides tutoring, a computer lab, a library, piano lessons, drug and alcohol awareness training, a student work program and community service. The Ladies Auxiliary Nursery School operates a licensed day care program and preschool.
RECREATION PROGRAM: Indoor and outdoor recreation areas include a community center with a gymnasium, exercise and weight room, music room, game room, softball diamond, soccer field, tennis court and playground. Activities include 4-H, sports teams and camping experiences.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: Children and families are encouraged to attend services at a church of their own faith.
STAFF: Childcare and youth workers provide care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to children in the Residential Program. Direct care staff includes case mangers, a registered nurse, education/recreational staff and day care staff.
FACILITIES: The National Home campus includes 74 buildings on 629 acres including 36 brick homes, 2 duplexes, a community center, guest lodge, chapel, greenhouse, nursery school, maintenance buildings, museum, fire barn and administrative buildings.
FUNDING: The VFW National Home for Children is funded by the gifts of the VFW, Ladies Auxiliary and MOC/MOCA organizations and many individual contributors. The National Home receives no federal or state funding. Additional support is provided through direct mail appeals, planned gifts, Life Membership, special events and earnings from the investment of the endowment fund. |
