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Volume 16, Number 38 | November 7-13, 2024
In late August, the Rotary Club of Glenwood Springs dropped off WSCV’s first nonprofit donation toward the Silt tiny house project. From left to right: John Pettit, Rotary member Dr. Doug Yajko, club president Jim Ingraham, Jeremie Oates and John Beckius. Photo by Jeanne Souldern
WSVC advances tiny house project for homeless veterans rt ays welcome to be a pa Veteran spouses are alw t her los o wh ft), (le aw Sh thy of the conversation. Ka with n, three years ago, sits husband, an Army vetera five , vet m tna Vie a sband, Rita Itao, who lost her hu e. ations from Agent Orang plic com to e du ago years ler Photo by James Steind
JEANNE SOULDERN Sopris Sun Correspondent
The Western Slope Veterans Coalition (WSVC) is pressing forward with an ambitious project to construct a tiny home community for homeless veterans in Silt. WSVC board members Jeremie Oates, president; John Pettit, treasurer; and John Beckius, marketing committee member, welcomed The Sopris Sun to share their insights on the tiny house project. The project strives to create a community where veterans can find camaraderie, support and a place to call home. “Veterans need more than just a place to stay; they need a community where they can heal, find purpose and know they’re not alone,” said Oates, a 22-year Army Special Forces veteran and Roaring Fork Valley native. Established in 2015, the coalition operates a resource center in downtown Glenwood Springs called the Jesse Beckius/Casey Owens Nigel Brett and Mark Schuemaker enjoy a laugh at Coffee and Veterans Resource Center, named in honor of
Donuts. Photo by James Steindler
two local veterans who struggled after returning from deployment with the invisible wounds of war. The center is a vital support hub for veterans, offering a community dedicated to mental health and well-being, ensuring no veteran feels alone in their transition back to civilian life. The center also assists veterans with accessing benefits and finding housing or employment. Recognizing the urgent need for permanent housing options, the coalition launched its tiny house initiative to address homelessness among veterans in Garfield, Pitkin and Eagle counties. The coalition has identified a promising two-acre plot across from Silt’s Flat Tops Cowboy Church in an area that can accommodate 34 tiny homes. “We’ll do it in phases, starting with about 15 homes,” Pettit explained. “We want to see how it goes, and then we can add more as we establish the community.” The tiny house community is part of a broader initiative to address veterans experiencing homelessness in a way that meets their unique needs. According to Oates, many struggle with physical disabilities, mental continued on page 4