Milwaukee's homeless veterans offered hope, help through new outreach center

The Milwaukee VA Hospital is looking to help the homeless with a new outreach center on the city's North side.

It's called the Community Resource and Referral Center, located near Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Vine. The facility will be a one-stop shop to help get veterans off the streets and back on their feet.

Multiple agencies will offer a variety of services, including benefit information, health care and jobs. Eight computers are set-up for veterans to use, in addition to a mini kitchen, food pantry and shower facility.

Last year, the Milwaukee VA found 267 homeless veterans a place to call their own. Leaders know there are more in need and say the location of the new facility is critical to help solve a community-wide problem.

\"It's really re-starting their lives for many of them, connect them socially, connect them with jobs,\" said Bert Berger, mental health division manager. \"It can be a challenge and take some time, but if you have the resources you can make it work.\"

The U.S. Department of veterans Affairs funded the two-year project. It cost about $800,000 to renovate the 89-year-old building.

The Community Resource and Referral Center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to Noon on Saturday.