Milwaukee's iconic music festival, Summerfest, and energy technology company Generac Power Systems have partnered for the second year to offer fans a unique opportunity to gain front-row access to the Generac Power Stage while supporting the Veterans Community Project in Milwaukee. The "Power Up With Purpose" initiative aims to raise funds to cover the construction costs of a tiny home that will provide shelter and care to local veterans.
Starting April 22, 2024, at 8:00 a.m., fans can purchase "Power Up With Purpose" access passes at www.generac.com/powerup. Each pass includes festival admission for one person to Summerfest and access to the front row pit area of the Generac Power Stage on the selected evening. The lineup features diverse artists, including Taking Back Sunday, Chelsea Cutler, Ken Carson, Hippo Campus, Key Glock, Jxdn, Local Natives, and Bodeans, with prices ranging from $80 to $110.
Tami Garrison, senior director of social responsibility at Generac, expressed the company's commitment to making a meaningful impact in the communities where their employees live and work. "We consider it an honor to work with non-profits like the Veterans Community Project to provide supported resources for those that have served our country," she stated.
The funds raised through the "Power Up With Purpose" initiative will contribute to the construction of a tiny home in the Milwaukee village, which is expected to not only provide critical resources to homeless veterans but also beautify the surrounding area, increase property values, provide opportunities for community volunteerism, and become a source of civic pride.
Summerfest, a premier national music festival since its inception in 1968, continues to fulfill its nonprofit mission of bringing the community together and providing a showcase for performing arts, activities, and recreation to the public through music and special events. The festival will take place over three weekends in 2024: June 20-22, June 27-29, and July 4-6.
Veterans Community Project Brings Tiny Homes to Milwaukee's Homeless Veterans
The Veterans Community Project (VCP) is bringing its innovative approach to combating veteran homelessness to Milwaukee. The nonprofit organization is building a specialized community of 40 tiny homes on a 7-acre property on the city's northwest side.
The tiny homes, built on concrete foundations and meet all code requirements for new construction, will provide a safe and dignified living space for veterans experiencing homelessness. Each 240-square-foot home features a full kitchen, bathroom, and living space and is fully furnished with everything a veteran needs. The village also includes eight 320-square-foot family homes that accommodate a five-person family.
At the heart of the village is the Village Center, which serves as a hub for VCP's continuum of care and a place for residents to connect. The center includes private offices for case management, classroom spaces, and a fellowship hall for social events.
VCP's approach is simple but effective: provide veterans with a home of their own and individualized, wraparound support services that help them get back on their feet and ensure they continue standing. Specially trained case managers work one-on-one with each resident to achieve incremental, lasting results in health and wellness, education, employment, financial literacy, and the development of a personal support network.
When a veteran is ready, VCP supports finding a long-term housing solution, including market-rate rentals, homeownership, or subsidized housing. The veteran takes the entire contents of their tiny house with them, as well as the ongoing support of the village.
The Milwaukee village is part of VCP's national expansion efforts to serve at-risk and homeless veterans across the United States. The organization has already established villages in Kansas City, Missouri, and works on projects in Longmont, Colorado; St. Louis, Missouri; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
VCP's success rate is impressive: an astounding 85% of veterans in VCP Village successfully transition to sustainable, long-term housing. The Milwaukee village is expected to provide critical resources to homeless veterans, beautify the surrounding area, increase property values, provide opportunities for community volunteerism, and become a source of civic pride.
Individuals, foundations, and corporations fund the project through VCP's capital campaign. With the community's support, VCP is poised to impact veteran homelessness in Milwaukee and beyond significantly.
By combining the power of music, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility, Summerfest and Generac demonstrate how partnerships can address critical social issues like veteran homelessness. The "Power Up With Purpose" initiative is an inspiring example of how organizations can unite to make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country.
