VetsVillage Of Minnesota
Operational Structure

The concept will evolve around Veterans helping Veterans.  Although the  facility will be staffed by
highly trained professionals, a positive peer culture (PPC) form of therapy will be employed.  Each
cottage will have a director (Veterans receive preference) that is responsible for program
implementation.

Each cottage will have approximately 20 residents.  Each resident will have a sponsor "buddy."  
The two buddies are primarily responsible for each other's well-being ascertaining that each are
progressing toward wellness and are keeping engaged in all aspects of training and healing.  As a
new resident enters the cottage, a seasoned "buddy" is assigned as a primary care giver.  Daily
routine will evolve around spiritual needs, family counseling, work, group therapy, private
counseling, recreation, physical fitness, wellness training, school and drug/alcohol counseling.  
Each cottage shall be responsible for exterior building and grounds maintenance and each shall
be responsible for one plot of organic grown vegetables, which will provide food throughout the
year for the facility.  Excess produce will be sold at the on-site store or to other outside vendors.  It
is anticipated that stays will vary from two (2) to nine (9) months.

In additional to trained staff, Veterans' Village will have a core of community and veteran volunteers.
 Ancillary services will be provided by the Veterans Administration Hospital in St. Cloud.  Internship
opportunities will be provided through the Behavioral Psychology Department at St. Cloud State
University.

Families will have option of staying off campus or at the on campus Bed and Breakfast for a
nominal rate.  Also, on-site camping, trailers and motorized RV's shall be allowed to dry camp on
site.

The primary focus will be on reintegration to family and society in general, family counseling, job
training, as well as a retreat for rest and relaxation.  Each Veteran will be evaluated by social
workers and trained staff to determine whether the program will benefit the Veteran on an
individual basis.  The Village will provide services for both men and women who will be housed in
separate cottages.  Because of the unique circumstances of each conflict the Veteran has been
involved in, Veterans will be assigned to a cottage depending on which war/conflict he or she was
engaged in, thereby strengthening and focusing support services for the individual Veteran.

Vocational and job training will be in the areas of Postal work, shipping and receiving, restaurant
management, short order cooking, manufacturing, retail management, farming practice, wood
working, horticulture and printing.  Expanded training in other areas will be available at nearby
community colleges as well as expanded training on the Veterans' Village campus as time goes
by.

It will be the responsibility of the Social Worker and the cottage director to determine when the
Veteran is capable of independent living or return to family life.  However, the program is voluntary
and no person shall be required to stay any longer than he or she wishes.
FIRST HALL TO BE OPEN IN SUMMER 2009
Fundraiser
Armed Forces Day

The PATRICK McCAFFREY
FOUNDATION
& VICTRI

ask you to
please join us for a patriotic day of awareness at the up-coming site of

Veterans Valley Forge Village
Campus

A PLACE FOR VETERANS  OF ALL AGES AND GENDER, VETERANS FROM WWII TO TODAYS
CONFLICTS, TO HEAL,  LEARN NEW PERSONAL AND JOB SKILLS AND FIND QUALITY OF LIFE
WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

Fundraiser

SATURDAY, MAY 16TH – 1:30PM

* 11:00AM...GOLF TOURNAMENT AT THE SAUK CENTRE       
COUNTRY CLUB – 320-352-3860 – PRIZES AWARDED
$20 entry fee includes cart and BBQ

FOLLOWED BY:

-Jimmie Coulthard
founder of VICTRI and MACV, and a strong voice for
Veteran needs, to do a presentation on the future use of the campus.

-Meet Nadia  McCaffrey
Gold Star Mother of Sgt Patrick McCaffrey, Patrick enlisted  after 9/11 with the National Guards.
Patrick was killed in Iraq
Nadia is the  Founder of Patrick McCaffrey Foundation

-Mary Tillman
Gold Star Mother of Patrick Tillman who played with the Arizona Cardinal and gave up his
professional carrier to enlist after 9/11 with the Army Rangers, Pat was killed in Afghanistan

-Michael O'Gorman
of the Farmer-Veteran Coalition, to discuss the sustainable   
agriculture program for the village. Sustainable agriculture is one that produces   
abundant food without depleting the earth's resources or polluting its environment.
Veterans returning from war and the military are looking for something that has
lasting meaning-that is sustainable and life giving.

-Beckey Lourey
Gold Star Mother, and former 16 year State Senator, to talk of her
experiences and her support of this project.  Also, she is a proponent of organic
and sustainable farming.

-Brad Kirckof
Mayor, to discuss the City of Sauk Centre's support of the project.
-Meet local Gold and Blue Star Mothers and elected Representatives
-Tours of the grounds and buildings scheduled throughout the day.
*
* 3 MEAT BBQ BUFFET…$8.00 (tax deductible donation) children under 5 free
•        CASH BAR sponsored by The American Legion
•        Children's Games with prizes-Bring the Family

LIVE MUSIC AND DANCING WITH
“MODERN DAY DRIFTERS”

FOLLOW SIGNS FROM DOWNTOWN SAUK CENTRE
LOCATION: FORMER HOME SCHOOL PROPERTY-N. MAIN ST.

THIS FUNDRAISER IS TO ASSIST WITH  EXPENSES WHILE SOLICITING FUNDING
NECESSARY TO OPEN
THIS  MUCH NEEDED VETERANS FACILITY.

CALL MIKE WEISSER IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS…..760-963-0352

“The future of our Armed Services and the future of this
country will be integrally linked with how we take care of
our Veterans”
George Washington
Veterans' Valley Forge  Village
WAITING ROOM
BEFORE
PIC TO A NEWLY
DECORATED
BEDROOM..
AFTER
Forging ahead
Gold Star moms push on for
Sauk Centre facility
Bryan Zollman
News/Sports Editor
More than 150 people showed up to support
the Valley Forge Village Project in Sauk
Centre Saturday. But it was the Gold Star
Mothers, most notably Nadia McCaffrey, who
continue to be the force behind turning the
former home school into a sanctuary for
veterans and their families. McCaffrey, whose
son was killed by an Iraqi soldier he was
training in 2004, has been on a crusade to
help veterans since seeing how many of her
son's friends came home after the war and
had trouble transitioning back into society.
She formed the Patrick McCaffrey Foundation
and founded Veterans Village, an
organization that provides transitional
housing for veterans.
To read the rest of this story, please enjoy a
FREE introductory offer (thru June 1st) to read
the Herald on-line with our new "E-Edition" by
clicking below.
Sauk Centre Herald
<<< Forging ahead

Gold Star Mothers, from left, Becky
Lourey, Nadia McCaffrey and Mary
Tillman. All three lost their sons in the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. All three
were on hand Saturday to support the
Valley Forge Village Project in Sauk
Centre.
HERALD PHOTO BY BRYAN
ZOLLMAN
Mike Weisser
Mary Tillman & Nadia McCaffrey
Root Cellar
From left to right:
Michael O'Gorman, Becky Lourey, Mary Tillman and Chuck Anderson
PAST EVENTS