Jewish War Veterans Come Together to Help Veterans Village Las Vegas

Veterans Village Las Vegas, is a comprehensive housing and resource facility for U.S. veterans and their families and located in a repurposed Econo Lodge motel on Las Vegas Boulevard, has a new support group – more than 60 members of the Jewish War Veterans Murray L. Rosen Post 64. According to Senior Vice Commander Steve Seiden, the group recently signed a Memo of Understanding with Veterans Village to establish a formal working relationship.  The group’s Edward Kline Memorial Homeless Veterans Fund, Inc. will underwrite housing at Veterans Village, as its funds allow, for vets and their families who need temporary housing and other critical services.

“Our group, which is comprised primarily of war veterans who served in all conflicts since WWII, developed an Independence Day Program several years ago to help find housing for homeless vets and their families,” Seiden said.  “But given limited resources in the community, particularly for disabled veterans with families, we could only do so much. As we formulated a plan to enlarge our scope and our efforts, we became aware of Veterans Village. Ever since our first visit to Veterans Village, we have been meeting regularly with its founder, Arnold Stalk, and directing much of our efforts and donations to supporting this remarkable public/private partnership that does so much to help those who have defended our freedoms.”   

Seiden, who also serves as president of the Edward Kline Memorial Homeless Veterans Fund, Inc., formerly referred to as the Independence Day Program, says most of its members are between 65 and 80 years of age with a few in their 90s, but the group also has younger members who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars.  “We are actively recruiting younger members who share our passion for helping veterans and to continue our good work for years to come,” Seiden said. 

Veterans Village opened in 2012 in a renovated Econo Lodge Motel with 120 rooms.  Thanks to the ongoing generosity of the Home Depot Foundation and hundreds of hours provided by Home Depot employees, the facility is undergoing a comprehensive retrofit and update.   In addition to providing temporary housing for vets and their families, Veterans Village provides a comprehensive roster of services through partnerships with other community organizations and government agencies, including employment training and referrals, continuing education and degree programs, exercise training, medical services, mental health counseling and special veteran-centric activities and events.

According to Arnold Stalk, Veterans Village founder and visionary, the contributions of the Jewish War Veterans are especially meaningful.  “The group’s deep understanding of the challenges often faced by war veterans fuels their passion and enthusiasm for doing all they can to help,” Stalk said.  “When members of the Jewish War Veterans visit us, they always put a smile on the faces of our residents.  We are grateful for their support and appreciate their contagious enthusiasm for helping veterans.”

“There are all sorts of resources there,” said Seiden of the an all-encompassing facility that provides basic necessities like food and medical services, but also specialized services for those with substance abuse and other conditions. “For vets, Veterans Village is much more than just a roof over their head,” Seiden said.  “It’s a place to heal and get critical help for success in the future. We’re excited about our relationship with Veterans Village. “

About Veterans Village:

Veterans Village is located at 1150 Las Vegas Boulevard in a repurposed Econo Lodge motel.  It serves as a temporary housing facility for U.S. veterans and their families and provides a comprehensive and holistic roster of services to help vets heal and succeed.  Services are provided through public and private collaborative partnerships with community organizations and government agencies and include housing, nutrition, life skills training, employment training and referrals, continuing education and degree programs, exercise training, medical services, mental health counseling and special veteran-centric activities and events. Veterans Village is managed by SHARE, a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1994 by Arnold Stalk and Karin Rogers to provide affordable housing for individuals in need.  SHARE oversees all operations of services for Veterans Village residents.