State Sen. Jen Metzger announced this week a $400,000 award secured by her office for Rumshock Veterans Foundation to acquire the land for “Victory Village,” a tiny home community that will be built to serve veterans confronting housing insecurity and homelessness.

Metzger made the announcement at the Greenwood Lake Elks Lodge 2067, and was joined by U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, members of Legion Arthur Finnegan Post 1443 and the Warwick Valley VFW Post 4662, as well as County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton Greenwood Lake Mayor Jesse Dwyer.

Beyond offering a self-sustaining residential community for veterans, Victory Village will also offer employment and profit-sharing through hydroponic farming, a veterans transportation service, an e-waste recycling program, and an education center within Victory Village for veterans to learn energy technology and business skills.

‘A tremendous leap forward’

The Rumshock Veterans Foundation, the Highland Mills-based non-profit organization leading this project, is dedicated to supporting veterans facing challenges as a result of military service.

“The best way to honor the service of our veterans, who sacrifice so much for us, is to make sure they have the resources they need to lead healthy and prosperous lives,” Metzger said. “This innovative initiative of the Rumshock Veterans Foundation not only meets a critical housing need for veterans facing homelessness, but also creates the kind of supportive community that will help our veterans thrive.”

Rumshock Veterans Foundation President Bill Whetsel added: “Veterans defend the definition of what it means to be an American. When their tour of duty is over, they need to know we are there for them like they were there for us. Rumshock’s mission is to let our veterans know we care and support them. We are very grateful for Senator Metzger’s support of Rumshock’s vision; she has provided us with a tremendous leap forward.”

Essentials

For more information about the Rumshock Veterans Foundation, call (845) 325-2203, visit online at rumshockvf.org or email to [email protected].