The Wisconsin Veterans Network (VetsNet) will operate independently from Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI), its founding non-profit organization, the two groups announced.
The split, occurring about a year after MHVI created VetsNet, allows each organization to have separate boards of directors. VetsNet will first invite local veterans to sit on its new board of directors, which will be announced in the near future.
“These two organizations will only grow stronger as they follow their independent paths to improve the lives of Milwaukee-area veterans,” MHVI board president Tom Williams said.
Founded in 2008, MHVI directly assists homeless veterans and their families in receiving benefits, housing, health care, clothing, food and other needs. VetsNet connects veterans with 22 local organizations that provide various services. Both tax-exempt entities are founded and run by veterans.
“The new structure recognizes that VetsNet exists to collaborate with service agencies and is independent from any providers it collaborates with,” Williams said.
The separate leadership will also help both entities focus on their individual missions and expand community relationships, Williams said.
VetsNet and MHVI will continue to operate out of their Greenfield Avenue location in West Allis but VetsNet plans to redevelop its website and create a Facebook page.
“Milwaukee-area veterans will be better served by having these two independent agencies separately run and focused on their individual missions than having them combined into one,” Williams said.
