Veterans Rural Outreach and Veterans Village (506 Bradshaw Street, Shelbyville)

The organization. "Since 2015, Veterans Rural Outreach (VRO) has been serving veterans across Shelby County, Kentucky, and the surrounding region. What began with emergency shelter, meals, home repairs, and advocacy has grown into a broader mission of restoring dignity and building community for veterans in need." Its mission: "provides for the needs of veterans in Shelbyville/Shelby County, Kentucky and surrounding counties with food assistance, emergency shelter, transitional housing for the homeless, counseling, and community engagement ... restoring total health to local veterans in an environment of compassion, mercy, and love." The village. "In response to the critical need for safe housing, Veterans Village opened its doors on October 1, 2020. These fully furnished homes provide stability for homeless veterans, offering them not just shelter but the opportunity to rebuild their lives. The following year, we opened the centerpiece of Veterans Village - a 2,300-square-foot community center. This space now serves as a gathering place for veterans and community members to connect, support one another, and build lasting bonds. At the heart of our mission is a six-month, transitional housing program, designed to equip veterans with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive." What residents receive. The NKyTribune's April 2024 account: "Veterans Village residents ... also receive: personalized care plans to help each veteran reach mental, physical, and financial goals; individual on-site VA counseling; assistance with VA claims and home loans; professional financial mentors to help with budgeting, saving, and improving credit." A Central Kentucky banker serves as the financial coach. How it was built, and paid off. "Six local churches sent twenty volunteers each to frame the six houses; local building material companies/contractors offered free services and supplies; area businesses, students, and volunteers helped with landscaping and other improvements." And: "All six tiny homes and the community center are paid off in full. This allows VRO to focus on future initiatives" - land for more tiny homes or apartments. "On April 18th, 2022, VRO assumed full responsibility of Veterans Village." Where. Veterans Village, 506 Bradshaw Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065; office (502) 520-5300. The county's part: "Since the beginning stages of planning Veterans Village, VRO has received full cooperation with the City of Shelbyville and the Shelby County government" - and the Fiscal Court's window agendas carry the city-county parks and facility work around it. The federal Lexington Vet Center keeps its own Shelbyville community access point nearby, at the Serenity Center, 98 7th Street, by appointment.