As a resident of Northern Nevada for some 33 years I have seen Reno evolve into a truly metropolitan city. Along with that the population and businesses have shown great financial and volunteer support for worthwhile nonprofit causes. My favorite is the Reno Veteran’s Guest House. Their most competent staff and volunteers are wonderful in serving our veteran need for accommodations while being treated, but not admitted, at the Veterans Hospital across the street.
I am not a veteran but have always had the greatest respect for every service person of the past and present.
I encourage the community far and wide to continue helping the Reno VGH in any way they are able.
Review from Guidestar
As a volunteer and board member since 2009, I have had the privilege of helping the Veterans Guest House grow from 12 beds, to 17 beds, and with the 2018 expansion to our present 33 beds. As a home away from home, we now can provide free temporary housing for all veterans and their families. No longer do veterans have to forgo medical treatment because of high motel and hotel costs. The Guest House provides a safe and secure environment where the veteran and family can stay as long as required.
Review from Guidestar
The Veterans guest house uses dishonest marketing tactics to get donations from the public, claiming they do NOT take government funds when in fact they do! The City of Reno and HUD gave them over $200,000 last year that was supposed to go to help the homeless. Have they no shame?
Review from Guidestar
I have been helping out a little bit at the Guest House for many years. Noreen and Kathy run a very tight ship and make sure almost every penny does some good for someone, be it a veteran or a member of his or her family.
Of all the good I have tried to do in my life, helping these people help veterans gives me the greatest satisfaction.
Lead on, Veterans Guest House, Lead On.
Review from Guidestar
I have volunteered at the veterans guest house for about 3 years. They give a home away from home, support ,food, and much much more.It takes a great deal of time and effort put in to meet the needs that are rappidly growing with in are vets. But the gust house would not be the place it is to day without those working there giveing so much love and care. With in my time there I have seen many vets meet and become great supporters for each other through the lose of a loved one or trials with cancer ending in great friendships. But just to see there faces when the worry is over come with joy knowing they have some were to stay is enuff to bring me back.
Last month I observed, with great humility and extreme gratitude, a personal landmark of 16 years serving on the board of directors of the Veterans Guest House.
There certainly are many worthwhile causes and projects to support, but
I have found none more heartwarming or rewarding to the human spirit.
Seeing the eyes of our guests, our veterans and their family members / care givers, hearing their words of appreciation, and witnessing the healing power of their camaraderie one with another, is beyond any experience I have ever enjoyed elsewhere.
Every day is Veterans Day at the Veterans Guest House. We owe our veterans much, we owe our veterans everything.
I am proud to be a part of this effort and would encourage all who are able to participate.
Richard G. Shuster
Many veterans in Esmeralda County travel to the Reno VA Hospital (270 miles) for the quality services they provide. Another veteran told me about the Veterans Guest House when I was scheduled for appoinments at the hospital. On my first visit to the guest house I was stunned. Stunned in the fact that this facility exists and is top quality all the way. The citizens of Reno and Sparks can be extremely proud. Many veterans in Esmeralda county tried to keep the guest house a secret, but it is much too vital to keep it secret. The staff is wonderful and over the years have become friends. When able, I volunteer to assist with special events.
God Bless!
I have volunteered for the Veterans Guest House for several years now. It is a fabulous place that gives Veterans and their families a safe, clean, loving place to stay when their are medical issues in their lives. They turn no one away for lack of funds. I have seen compassion and a sense of genuine care that you do not find normally associated with Veterans. The Veterans and their families are treated with dignity and respect and every effort is made to meet their needs and accomodations on an individual basis. It is truley a one of a kind House that most guests call their home-away-from-home during stressful and life threatening situations. The staff is awesome! The decor is warm and inviting. As a non-profit that has no government funding and relys strictly on private donations, I am rewarded with a sense of having done something right everytime I volunteer. What a marvelous way to give back to the men and women who served for all of us by volunteering at the Veterans Guest House.
noreen2 03/18/2012
Until late 2010, the Veterans Guest House had not accepted any government money for any purpose. In 2010 the City of Reno provided us with $200,000 through a HUD community block grant to purchase a second home. That home was purchased and has now been renovated using private funds. With this additional home we now have the ability to house 19 individuals. The condition of the HUD money was that the housing that was purchased was to be used primarily to assist low income individuals which it is certainly doing. Many of our veterans and their families that need a temporary place to stay when they are receiving medical treatment are on fixed incomes or very low incomes. Our mission is not to provide assistance to homeless individuals. We do not at all hide the fact that we have accepted the HUD money from the City of Reno. All other funds that have been received by the Veterans Guest House over the 18 years of operations have been received from individuals, corporations, service organizations and foundations. if you have any questions about this matter, please call me at 775-324-6958. Noreen Leary, Chief Operating Officer