VFW National Home

The Mission

"The VFW National Home assists military, veterans, and their families with children, by creating a foundation of services and resources to achieve their personal and family goals in order to move forward in a positive, safe and healthy environment."

About Us

Born from the belief that America needs to care for the children and families of men and women who sacrificed for our country, the VFW National Home is a place of healing, support and refuge.

It was founded in 1925 as a place where the families left behind by war could remain together, keeping the family circle intact even when their servicemember didn't come home.

Today's families face different challenges - reintegration, post-traumatic stress, high unemployment and rehabilitation from battlefield injuries, among others - and the National Home has evolved over our decades-long history to meet those changing needs.

The origins of today's VFW National Home can be traced to a 23-year-old woman named Amy Ross. In 1922, Ross made it her mission to help find jobs for the thousands of unemployed veterans in Detroit.

The Beginning

News of Ross' efforts reached millionaire cattleman Corey Spencer, who gifted 472 acres of land near Eaton Rapids, Michigan, to build on Ross' vision of supporting veterans.

On Jan. 7, 1925, the VFW National Home was founded, helping to fulfill the VFW pledge to "honor the dead by helping the living." Later that spring, the Home welcomed its first family in an old frame farmhouse, Mrs. Pollett and her six children. Pollett had become suddenly widowed and lost her husband's military pension.

Through The Years

Since its founding, the VFW National Home has grown from an old frame farmhouse to a sprawling campus with playgrounds; park areas; and multiple buildings, including single-family homes, a community center and gymnasium, child care facility, guest lodge, chapel, and administrative offices.

Over the years, the National Home has evolved to meet the changing needs of America's military and veterans' families. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the National Home's commitment to honor our nation's veterans and active-duty military by providing help and hope for their children and families.

Changing Lives

The National Home's community is open to the families of actively serving military personnel, veterans, and relatives of VFW and VFW Auxiliary members. The family can be one or both parents with one or more children.

VFW/Auxiliary

• Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

• Applicant has a parent in the VFW or Auxiliary in good standing or, if deceased, in good standing at the time of death

• Single or Married with dependent child(ren)

Veteran

• Honorably discharged, Active, Guard, or Reserve Veteran

• Surviving widow or widower with dependent children

• Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

• Single or Married with dependent child(ren)

Actively Serving

• Unaccompanied Tour or Deployment

• Parent(s)/Guardians(s)

• Single or Married with dependent child(ren)

• Drilling National Guard & Reserve

Families may accomplish significant life goals by participating in our program. We offer -

• Case management services to help families set up their plans and goals for the future.

• Educational, recreational and enrichment opportunities.

• Community resources and counseling.

• Free housing and daycare.

Creating Lasting Impact

• Participating families are welcomed to our small-town community where they may live for up to four years as they work with their case manager to set and accomplish major life goals.

• To find out if the National Home's program is right for you and your family, contact us today to speak with our caring staff who will help you determine eligibility.

HELPLINE: 800-313-4200

Take The First Step

• Thank you for your interest in the VFW National Home.

• The National Home offers families of veterans, active-duty military and members of the VFW and its Auxiliary opportunities for growth and development in our nurturing community. All 42 of our beautiful homes are located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan.

• Take the first step by filling out this form. https://vfwnationalhome.org/get-help/#form

• At any time you can reach out to our helpline.

Changing Lives

Your gift will be life-changing for the families of our nation's heroes. You'll empower us to provide families with housing for up to four years, professional counseling, life skills classes, and a variety of educational, recreational and enrichment opportunities.You'll give children the chance to live a normal life, to meet new friends and learn to respect God and country.Plus, you'll help us provide veterans across the nation with free assistance through our Military and Veteran Family Helpline.Make a donation to help military and veteran families: https://vfwnationalhome.org