Michigan Veterans Foundation is a non-profit agency helping veterans experiencing homelessness regain their stability and return to self-sufficiency. Detroit is fortunate to have the Detroit Veterans Center which operates as the only shelter for veterans in Detroit.

About one-third of the adult homeless population are veterans who often suffer from mental illness, alcohol and/or substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders.

The facility provides 50 beds through its transitional housing where veterans can stay from 90 days to 18 months. MVF also provides veterans with three meals a day, clothing, healthcare services, employment training, life skills, and many other forms of support.

We interviewed CEO Raeda Dabaja, who is a passionate leader dedicated to the MVF mission. Raeda was brought on by the previous founder and director of the Michigan Veterans Foundation, Vietnam Veteran Tyrone Chatman. During his lifetime, Chatman became one of Michigan's most important advocates for veteran causes. Raeda helped us understand where the Detroit homeless veteran community stands today.

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 9 board member, Brother Joe Hicks, has ministered for Christ on the streets of Detroit for over 40 years. Brother Joe understands the importance of outreach and has a unique way of doing so. Brother Joe has been traveling, preaching and singing as a Home Missionary full time since 1985. He began to hold, in the winter time, “Boots and Blankets,” and in the summertime, “Tennis Shoes and Tater Chips,” concerts to gather needed supplies for the street outreach.

Brother Joe wrote a special song for the veteran community, “Sidewalk Soldiers,” about the journey of a veteran experiencing homelessness, which will be featured in the film. We had the chance to film in several locations on Detroit's streets with veterans and Brother Joe singing his song. This will be an impactful way of helping our audience understand the struggles a veteran faces while experiencing homelessness.

The Michigan Veterans Foundation will be expanding its services to several other cities in Michigan, and currently has plans to open other facilities throughout the State of Michigan.