Blog Post
VetsNet helps a World War 2 Veteran keep cool.
Wi Vets Network • Jul 27, 2020
Fred served in the US Navy during World War II. He spent his days out on the ocean, in the Pacific Theater, witnessing history in the making. He was also present when the Japanese signed the treaty of surrender. Fred is a fascinating veteran and the stories he has shared with us were absolutely captivating.
Fred was referred to us through the Waukesha County Veterans Service office. He had a large ask, for Noah, our VetsNet Navigator, and was hoping to find a resource to help. At 94 years old, this homeowner was facing the dreaded task of having to replace his central air conditioning unit. Due to his limited income, there were no reserves for him to put towards this project.
The executive director of Wisconsin Veterans Network, Quentin, had brought this need to the Veterans Health Coalition (VHC) monthly meeting. Vicki, of VHC, was able to connect Quentin to a group of individuals who willingly gave of their time and resources to make sure that Fred had a working central air unit.
Donovan Jorgenson and JM Electrical Contractors sent some of their best workers to help with the install and Monroe Equipment, Inc. provided the equipment for the project. Without these three organizations we would have been unable to provide this unit and installation for Fred.
VetsNet would like to thank Josh, Chase, Kayla, Tony, Robb, and John for their time and resources to helps us accomplish this mission.
VetsNet is a nonprofit organization staffed by veterans and serve veterans. VetsNet bridges a major gap in the veterans benefit system: identifying and connecting at-risk veterans and veterans in need to the benefits and programs they earned through their service to our country. Veterans look to VetsNet for help in a number of areas, including emergency relief, rehousing, benefits counseling, financial counseling, substance abuse assistance, mental health care, legal assistance, relationship counseling, employment counseling, job training and placement.
Picture (L to R)
Chase and Kayla (Donovan Jorgenson)
Tony (JM Electric)
Josh (Donovan Jorgenson)
Fred (Veteran)
Rob and Steve (Donovan Jorgenson)
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Recent Success Stories
Navy veteran finds help through Wisconsin Veterans Network
Source: WISN Channel 12 Milwaukee A local veterans nonprofit organization wants to support female veterans and women currently serving in the military who have faced sexual harassment and assault. According to the FBI, a fellow soldier killed the 20-year-old Army Spec. Vanessa Guillen in Texas. Advertisement Her family believes her death has to do with sexual harassment she experienced. "After hearing Vanessa Guillen story, are you hearing about more women coming forward with experiences like this?" WISN 12 News’ Adrienne Pedersen asked Kelsey Gumm of the Wisconsin Veterans Network. "I think from her tragedy which was absolutely awful, I think a lot of women felt compelled to come forward. I joined a Facebook group, and over the span of two days more than 10,000 women have joined this group who have served in the military or are in the military and are sharing their stories. I mean, stories are coming in continually," Gumm said. The Wisconsin Veterans Network is starting a support group for women who have experienced sexual harassment and assault in the military. "To find a safe place to connect with other women who have experienced those things and really just work through that but in a much less clinical aspect," Gumm said. According to the Department of Defense annual report on sexual assault, in 2018 almost a quarter of active duty women experienced sexual harassment. And the number of formal complaints went up by 10% from 2018 to 2019. "I know you're proud of your service it has to be hard to be proud of something and then also feel failed by something," Pedersen said. "I love the military its been great for me and a lot of my female friends its done great things but as with any org there's spots that can use improvement," Gumm said. "This situation has brought light to that and we need to focus and we need to push reforms." Allies of women who have experienced sexual harassment are also welcome to join the support group. The group will meet virtually at least for the time being. If you’d like to sign up for Women Survivors Peer Support Group, visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXWrcm2WMaNvd1IHM7Qm6XCpygUcdnCzN72dajruwfGezINA/viewform
Recent Donors
This year, RCMF granted a total of $6200 to nine different organizations, including VetsNet.
Many thanks to our friends at Laureate Group who recently made a $10,000 grant to VetNet to support our operations!