Organization to Hold Open House Saturday, Aims to Help Large Number of Veterans

VetsNet is a non-profit organization founded and run by veterans. Their goal is to help all veterans.

"Our eligibility requirement is very simple. If you wore the uniform, you're a veteran; we're here to help you," said Kirsten Sobieski, the Vet's Net Executive Director.

The organization opened on March 1st, but will have their official open house on Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to Noon.

A release for the open house:

"Called VetsNet, the new initiative will offer emergency relief, help with homelessness, benefits counseling,  financial counseling, substance abuse,  mental health, legal assistance,  relationships (personal & family counseling), and employment counseling, training & placement.  
 
"VetsNet partners and collaborators are: Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative, Milwaukee County & Waukesha County Veterans Service Offices, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wis. Depts. Of Veterans Affairs and Workforce Development, Community Advocates, Catholic Charities, Outreach Community Health Centers, Women Veterans Initiative (WOVIN), La Causa, and other service providers to veterans.
 
"There will be a brief program at 10 a.m. to discuss the new initiative and recognize a number of contractors who donated time and materials to renovate the building for occupancy by VetsNet.
 
"The new facility includes office space for partner organizations and a warehouse and food pantry for Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative, which moved to the new location from its prior headquarters on Fond du Lac Avenue. 

VetsNet told CBS 58, their mission is to fill in the gaps that other veteran organizations cannot. 

"Not everybody has the same level of access to the VA. Not every veteran qualifies by the federal definition of veteran," said Sobieski.

Sobieski said VetsNet helps the whole family, and veterans that may not qualify for other services.

"Knowing that [veterans] don't have access to the VA or federal benefits, [we want to] to let them know there are many situations which we can help," said Sobieski.

VetsNet is open 9am to 4pm on Monday through Friday. Their address is 6317 W Greenfield Avenue, West Allis, WI 53214.