I accumulate things to donate to the homeless vets. I just laundered a hoodie and some other nice jackets. I have clean kitchen items , a coffee maker in the original box, drapes, clean shoes etc. I was told that they have to pick the items up because of some West Allis Law that won't allow drop-offs because of competition with thrift stores.
I cannot believe that they cant get an exception to the city Ordinance by asking the Mayor and Common Council to update the muni-code to exclude MHVI from this ordinance.
They were rude, obnoxious and arrogant and wouldn't listen to me. I am an activist and I get things done. I would have been willing to get the ball rolling by contacting West Allis Officials but MHVI has restructured the grass roots organization it once was when they were located on Fon du Lac avenue. Now it has become a Bureaucratic nightmare.
Sad...Jim Maurer, Milwaukee
I have never been more disappointed in an organization than in MHVI, my ex-husband was an Vietnam era veteran an rec'd furniture, dishes and household items from MHVI. When he passed on 3/30/17 he had an apartment filled with donated items from MHVI and my children just figured they could call and MHVI would pick up all the furniture they had given him which was not much, a twin bed, two dressers, a love seat, a small table and two chairs. MHVI refused to come and pick up these items, citing some law they have that once it is donated they can not take the items back. Needless to say and causing my children much anguish they had to find some place that would pick up the furniture. I would think that they would want the items back for another veteran but that is not the way it works. He did not smoke and I'm sure the furniture was in the same condition as when he rec'd it two years ago. I am so disappointed in this organization, would never donate anything to them and will tell others about this experience. So sad that an organization that is supposed to help veterans would cause so much stress to his already grieving children. truly disappointed
I must say that not only as a Board Member, but as a professional who has asked for and received assistance for my homeless disabled veterans, MHVI is a great resource to have available for our veterans. MHVI has helped my clients with bus tickets, household items, emergency food, and more! As a case manager, I know how hard it is to find certain resources, and I feel that MHVI has worked hard to fill the gaps in this community for veterans. I know I can count on them to either have items on hand from donations or reach out to others to assist a veteran in need. MHVI has a dedicated staff of volunteers who go out of their way to make sure that deliveries and donations run smoothly. I'm grateful that MHVI is here for the veterans who were there for us. Thank you MHVI!
I called and they helped me. Just like they said they would. The gave me a home. I have a kitchen of stuff so I can eat. I have a bed. They were real nice.
Non-Profits should be just that, Non-profits not platforms to show boat with fancy talk about so called help.
Grass roots organizations like I started here should help the intended recipients of the donations and grants collected from good people and not pad the pockets of the directors, staff and other entourage. We have to get back to compassion and real help for the many in need and not use non-profits as a job opportunity for non caring individuals.
I have been working with MHVI for the past three weeks. I find the job very enjoyable and gradifying. The people who donate are very nice and truly enjoy giving to this cause. I really like the reactions from the Veteran that is receiving our help. These people just need a little help to move their lives forward. Many of these veterans have families and small children who are sleeping on the floor. We are doing our best to make sure this does not happen. I can see the problems with warehouse space and organization,but we are working hard at rectifying these bumps in the road. MHVI is a great cause and will continue to help homeless veterans as much as possible.
I am grateful to the men and women who have made numerous trips to the condo to pick up items we could donate. They were polite, on time, efficient and grateful.
So many of our vets have done so much for us. They suffer things we can't begin to understand. Their families are affected by this. To be on the streets on top of everything else is heartbreaking.
To be given a home - a shelter of your own with electricity and running water and heat is a wonderful gift. The LEAST we can do as civilians is give the vets a hand with household items.
Live simply so that others may live.
I believe in what they are trying to do, help and show respect to our vets who have given us so much. If I didn't live 6 hrs away I would definitely volunteer. So I send donations when I can.
I have donated to MHVI. They made it easy as they came to my home, were on time and carried it out to their van. The driver was really nice. I happen to hear back that my couch went to a vet the very next day. It feels good to have the things I do not need used by other who need it.
I have been involved with the MHVI over the last 14 months first picking up donations from people we know and delivering them to the warehouse. It became obvious that there was no organization to the warehouse at all with bags, boxes and furniture everywhere. My wife and I asked for a set of keys and basically became warehouse managers. We organized the clothing, house wares, bedding and furniture for easy access. We put together kits of bedding by size, towel kits and kitchen kits to make it easy for the drivers to take to vets. The first of February we took over the phone that receives all the incoming calls from veterans that have been placed in apartments as well as anyone wanting to donate items to the MHVI. Since that time up until now 4-11-2013 we have furnished most of the furniture and housewares for 46 veterans that have been placed in apartments and have coordinated some 138-donation pickups. During this time we had to vacate the donated warehouse we had, move to 4 storage units in 2 separate locations in the city and were still able to provide the above services. This could not have been accomplished without the help and dedication of our 3 driver/movers that are themselves veterans giving back to veterans in need. During the course of our short tenure with MHVI we have talked to and met some very wonderful veterans and donors many of whom have become repeat donors simply because of what MHVI does. All we can say is being associated with the people of the MHVI and it’s mission has definitely been life changing for us.
What an amazing program MHVI is! I sent an email asking about donating and John asked if we could talk by phone. He was so personable and friendly, I was thrilled to be able to help out. I keep an eye on the Facebook page so I can help quickly when there's a need I can help fill.
When you donate to MHVI, you feel a real, immediate impact. They don't ask for anything beyond what they need. Instead of sending things into a great unknown abyss, I know my community is immediately supported by my donations.
I'm hoping to arrange a neighborhood donation this spring!
In the past five years, I've watched the MHVI start with only a dream to end homelessness for veterans in the city of Milwaukee, and now they've helped hundreds of homeless and low-income veterans find shelter, food, clothing, furniture, and VA benefits. They are an impressive organization that deserves a lot of credit for helping to end homelessness for veterans in the city of Milwaukee.
xofferson 09/11/2013
The "reviewer" is anonymous, but is one of the founders of the organization, who left our employ in January. While he was the executive director, he and three others were paid; it was not an all-volunteer organization, and we could not accomplish what we do with all volunteers. He knows that. it's unfortunate that a disgruntled former employee would try to tarnish the reputation of an organization that is doing good work for homeless and at-risk veterans every day.