Reach Out
Work with members in your community and make a difference
For more than 12 years, Veterans Helping Veterans has devoted its energy to passionately advocating for the needy and politically under-represented members of our veteran family. 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.
Join Us
Urgent Project
Our Mission
Homelessness isn't seasonal, which is why our year-round Furniture and household accessories drive needs so much attention. Devote a Day to join us and assist with sorting and organizing household items and furniture for vets and their family. and see first-hand the families we strive to help.
When you "Give a hand up', you help those in need, the ability to stand on their own again. Our veterans need help now.
Our Mission
Urgent Project
Our Mission
Vets Helping Vets SWMI. is a vocal advocate for the homeless and displaced.
We help our homeless vets and their families in need. we provide assistance to help them achieve sustainability and help end homelessness.
We service the Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties primarily. Also surrounding counties through referrals.
Urgent Project
Urgent Project
Urgent Project
Our Outreach team needs your help immediately. Paper products such as Toilet paper, tissues, paper towels Along with personal hygiene supplies, Bath items, and Household cleaning items. PLEASE Make your contribution now.
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
Rick Stover 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 married to his wife of 29 years Julie with 4 adult children.
Michele Pascoe, Board Member, LBSW, CADC, QMHP
U.S. Navy veteran serving from 1991-1994. She 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. She is married to her Marine husband for 30 years and has 3 adult children and 2 grand daughters and resides in Battle Creek, MI.
David Sutton, Board Member
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 a dedicated leader and 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. David's educational background equips him with a strong understanding of both social dynamics and business management, skills that he applies in his professional and volunteer roles.
Larry Bales
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
Juan M. Gonzalez is the Veteran Navigator for Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK). In his role, he is the community outreach for military service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF) in Kalamazoo County for 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 after 27 years of honorable military service
Mr. Gonzalez resides in Athens, Michigan with his wife, Cheryl. He is the proud father of two sons, Erik and Jacob Gonzalez and proud stepfather to Cody (Allison) Swarthout, (former) Staff Sergeant Dillon Swarthout, and Cassidy Swarthout. The title of Abuelo (“BoBo”) was added on January 15, 2021 with the birth of Connor M. Swarthout and again on July 11, 2024 with the birth of Caroline J. Swarthout. (RET) MSgt Gonzalez is also a proud graduate of Western Michigan University’s School of Social Work (BSW, 2017) and is a graduate of the Community College of the Air Force with an associate degree in security administration (2002).
John Sullivan, Board Member
John Sullivan 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. Along with his Board of Director’s position with Veterans Helping Veterans SWMI Foundation he is actively involved with KPEP.
Open position
"Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair,
But manifestations of strength and resolution.
Each of us has lived through some devastation, some loneliness,
Some weather super storms or life’s storms of adversities’
When we witness this in others we sometimes say,
I understand how you feel, Because I’ve been there myself.
We must support and help each other, for each of us are more alike
Than we are unalike."
Sarah
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