Genesee County, MI — On September 30, James Avery, Chair of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, alongside Derrick Britton, Director of Veterans Services, presented a check for $75,000 for the Sacred Heart Veteran Village in Flint.

“Supporting our veterans requires a comprehensive approach, and that’s what this project represents,” Avery said. “We are honored to be able to support an initiative that addresses immediate needs while also charting a path forward to long-term success and sustainability for veterans in our community.”

The Sacred Heart Veteran Village is a Comprehensive Transitional Housing Program for Veterans overseen by the Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties. It will be located on the corner of Saginaw and Moore Street in Flint, the site of the former Sacred Heart Parish. The groundbreaking is expected to happen in October, depending on the weather.

The Village will be completed in two phases. Phase 1 is scheduled to begin in October and will include groundwork, the Veteran Resource Center, and the first 8-12 homes. The completion target for Phase 1 is spring 2025. Phase 2 will include the remaining 16-18 homes. The transitional homes will be approximately 300-500 square feet.

According to Katie Baxter, CEO of Catholic Charities, The Village represents a holistic approach to caring for our veterans and is the first of its kind in the region.

“Veterans who have experienced a lot of trauma are at risk of suicide, so we want to wrap around them all the supports that they need,” Baxter said. “It is individualized because every veteran is different.”

Britton, who recently retired from active duty as an active member of the Michigan Air National Guard, is on the frontlines serving veterans in Genesee County.

“As a county, we appreciate this endeavor,” Britton said. “We work with this population every day, so we see the needs firsthand.”

The project has received funding from numerous sources including ARPA funds from Genesee County and the City of Flint, and a very generous grant from the Mott Foundation.

If you or someone you know needs veterans’ services, please contact GCDVS at 810-230-3068 or by email at v@geneseecountymi.gov. 

To learn more about Sacred Heart Veteran Village, watch the video below or click here.