Our Story
It all started with a piece of paper on the floor
Our Founders happened to find a single piece of paper on the floor from a homeless Veteran needing assistance. They took that as a mission to start this non profit organization. For more than 14 years, Veterans Helping Veterans SWMI Foundation has devoted its energy to passionately advocating for the homeless veteran families in Southwest Michigan. Since 2014 we have assisted over 3500 Veterans and their families. Find out how you can contribute to the future of someone in need through donations of furniture, household items, monetary donations and or volunteering your time. Our veterans need help now.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Volunteer
Become a volunteer as a "Warehouse Assistant". We need assistance with loading and unloading furniture and household item as well as sorting and organizing. This can be either individually or in larger groups. If you are a company or organization please join us a Community Partner.
Southwest Michigan Veteran Connect
Southwest Michigan Veteran Connect is a special services which is provided by Veterans Helping Veterans, SWMI Foundation to assist Veterans navigate through their entitled benefits. Just as the title says, the Veteran Navigator can help you sort through all of the Veteran related services. Please call 269-966-5764
Donations
Donations
We take donations of the following:
- Furniture (especially twin, full and queen size mattresses). Couches, tables etc.
- Household items such as toasters, irons, vacuums etc.
- Hygiene items such as tooth paste, deodorant, etc.
- Monetary donations (see PayPal button)
Meet Our Team
Larry Bales
Paul Arquette
Paul Arquette
Retired 1st.Sergent of the Army.
President and Founding member of Veterans Helping Veterans.
Paul Arquette
Paul Arquette
Paul Arquette
In Loving Memory
Vietnam Veteran and Co- Founder.
A dedicated Advocate for our homeless vets
Board of Directors
Rick Stover, MS, CPPS - Board President is a US Air Force Veteran who served 4 years as a Fire Protection Specialist. Rick has recently retired from the US Department of Defense/Logistics after working for the VA Medical Center in Battle Creek, Michigan. He is actively involved in several Veteran service groups/organizations to include the Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Committee, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and several VA Medical Center committees. Rick is a Michigan Certified Peer Support Specialist and Veteran Navigator
Michele Pascoe, Board Member, LBSW, CADC, QMHP
U.S. Navy veteran served as an Aviation Electrician. She is a proud Western Michigan University School of Social Work graduate. She has been a licensed Social Worker for 26 years and a Certified Drug Counselor for 3 years. She has been employed by Summit Pointe-Calhoun counties Community Mental Health for 22 years and is currently the Veteran Navigator for the last 3 ½ years. Michele is also the Chapter Lead for Battle Creek’s Women’s Veterans Strong. She is on several veteran committees throughout Calhoun County. Her passion is helping others and making sure they have the services and resources to be successful.
David Sutton is a former Army Aviator and commissioned officer, having flown Apache helicopters during his military service. He served in multiple leadership roles during his two combat deployments to Afghanistan, gaining invaluable experience in teamwork, decision-making, and strategic operations. David is co-owner of Smith Metal, a contract manufacturer based in Augusta, Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Central Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration from Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Larry Bales, is Co-Founder and President of Veterans Helping Veterans SWMI Foundation. Larry served in the US Army for 24 Years ending his military career as a 1stSg – E8 after serving in Vietnam, Korea, Germany and the United States. Along with his responsibilities with Veterans Helping Veterans (since 2011), he is the Commander for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 7 Calhoun County and a member of American Legion Post 298.
Juan Gonzalez, Board Member is the Veteran Navigator for Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK). He is active in veteran programs such as the Battle Creek VA Family Advocacy Council (co-chairperson), Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means, Gryphon Place Community Engagement, and other organizations. He is also certified as a Mental Health First Aid Trainer (MHFA) with emphasis on Military Service Members & Veteran MHFA and Higher Education MHFA. He also teaches a Military Cultural Competency Course that is accredited through Western Michigan University School of Medicine for CEU’s. Master Sergeant Gonzalez retired from the Michigan Air National Guard / United States Air Force on 31 July 2018
John Sullivan, Board Member has been a Private Practice Attorney in the city of Marshall, MI since 1998. Prior to that, John was the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Calhoun County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. He graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School with his Juris Doctorate in 1985 and is a member of the Michigan Bar Association as well as the Calhoun County Bar Association.
Melissa Hill, Board Member Melissa Hill is the Member Center Manager at HONOR Credit Union in Battle Creek.
Community Partners
