Vets Returning Home provides a haven for veterans experiencing homelessness, offering 43 beds and all necessary amenities to both male and female veterans in need. Since its inception, the organization has housed more than 2,200 veterans and 1,000 families, helping them find stability and preventing them from falling into homelessness.
At its core, Vets Returning Home’s mission is to guide veterans to a place of stability. The organization provides more than just a bed for the night—it offers veterans the support and resources they need to rebuild their lives. This includes providing a stable living environment, employment readiness training, aid with job placement, and more. Sandra Bower’s vision is for every veteran to leave Vets Returning Home from a position of strength, ready to face the future with confidence. “We want to help them reach stability in all aspects of their lives so they can move forward with dignity and purpose,” she said.
What sets Vets Returning Home apart is its deliberate choice to operate without government funding. Bower, Founder and Volunteer Director of Vets Returning Home, emphasized that this decision was made by design, allowing the organization to maintain flexibility and avoid the restrictions that often come with government assistance. “We wanted to avoid the bureaucracy and strings attached,” she said, which has enabled the organization to stay true to its mission.
Bower has spent the last 11 years dedicating her life to helping veterans in crisis. Her drive to give back is deeply personal, stemming from her own experience with homelessness as a teenager. “It’s something that never leaves you,” Bower said, reflecting on her past and how it shaped her compassion for those who need a hand up. Through her Christian faith and the blessings she has received in life, Bower knew it was time to do more. For her, helping veterans is a natural choice: “Veterans are the most deserving of our assistance,” she explained.
A crucial part of Vets Returning Home’s growth and success can be attributed to its partnership with NVBDC’s MVO Task Force. For Bower, this partnership is more than just a collaboration—it’s a relationship rooted in trust and mutual support. She fondly remembers the early days when Keith King, Founder and CEO of NVBDC, would not only offer guidance but actively open doors to new opportunities. “Keith’s advice and willingness to help made a huge difference,” she recalled, crediting him with helping the organization navigate through its early stages and beyond.
One of the more recent challenges Vets Returning Home has faced is the shift in the economy, which has made it harder to raise funds. Recognizing the need to adapt, Bower and her team opened a thrift store. This move was a response to the noticeable shift from monetary donations to in-kind contributions. The store now plays a vital role in supporting the organization’s operations, and Bower hopes it will continue to grow.
Sandra Bower’s unwavering commitment to veterans and her deeply personal connection to the cause have made Vets Returning Home a lifeline for thousands. Her vision and leadership continue to guide the organization forward, ensuring it remains a beacon of hope for veterans seeking stability and support.
For those looking to support Vets Returning Home, Bower encourages people to follow the organization on social media, make donations, or shop at the thrift store. These actions directly contribute to the organization’s continued success and help ensure that veterans in need receive the care and support they deserve.
