In the last two years, Chris Allen has coached over 50 VCP Village residents through his job at Good Will, equipping them with the digital literacy and job readiness skills needed to secure employment – and keep it. As our case managers observed, it was Chris’s ability to build trusting relationships with the Veterans that made all the difference. This connection came naturally: Chris is a Marine Veteran himself. He served as an air traffic controller at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, NC from 1993-1997.
Last month, Chris was laid off from his position at Good Will due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then that we saw the depth of his dedication to our Veterans and to VCP’s mission. Instead of focusing on his own uncertain future, he “deployed” every day with VCP staff to the inner city, delivering meals and administering basic health screenings to homeless and at-risk individuals.
As the pastor of a small church in Grain Valley, MO, Chris has a passion for people, especially those who are hurting. With area churches closed, he wanted to make sure that our Veterans had the opportunity to celebrate Easter. He enlisted the musical talents of one of our case managers and held a special outdoor event for a group of residents in the cul-de-sac of VCP Village.
It isn’t an accident that “community” is part of VCP’s name. Volunteers like Chris are the heart of Veterans Community Project.