Community effort converts former hotel into facility for veterans

More than 1,300 homeless veterans live on the streets of the Las Vegas Valley, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2011 homeless census.

Even more veterans, 20,000, are considered at risk, struggling to live month to month, where one false financial step could land them in the streets.

“The need is great,” said Tyron Thompson, Regional Initiatives Coordinator for the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition. “When we’re talking about those right on the cuff (of being homeless), the need is certainly there. We have to be creative to help our homeless veterans.”

Arnold Stalk, an architect and professor from Southern California, founded Veterans Village, formerly an Econo Lodge at 1150 Las Vegas Blvd. South, in order to help stem the “serious problem” by being creative.

“The housing aspect is the hardest part because it’s expensive,” Stalk said. “The solution is simply building one unit at a time.”

Through Stalk’s non profit SHARE, and with help from more than 300 Home Depot employees, Stalk did more than just build one unit at a time. The 120-room complex received a new coat of paint, a new roof, new windows, new flooring and new furnishings donated by The Venetian.

“There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from the community,” Stalk said. “We’re a precursor to ‘Extreme Home Makeover.’ We’re extreme community facility makeover.”

Sylvester Donald served in the Army’s MOS-43M unit in support of the 82nd Airborne during the Persian Gulf War. Last month, Donald faced eviction from his apartment. The judge he faced recommended he seek assistance from Veterans Village.

“They welcomed me with open arms,” Donald said. “I’ve only been here two weeks and folks here really make you feel at home.”

For Michell Riley, a topographer in the Army’s 585th Engineer Infantry during the Persian Gulf War, Veterans Village provides a safe space for her and the other female veterans as well.

“I feel safe around other veterans,” she said. “To have a safe place to go with fellow vets and my own space has been a true blessing.”

The only requirement to become a resident at Veterans Village is that a person be a United States Veteran with honorable discharge and identification.

The organization also provides access to medical and mental health services, food and nutrition services, clothing, job placement and referrals as well as transportation to the VA hospital all in the hope of enabling veterans to transition back into permanent housing and reconnecting with society.

In addition to SHARE, Stalk has served on the board of trustees for Goodwill of Southern Nevada, Habitat for Humanity, United Way of Southern Nevada, The Shade Tree shelter and American Red Cross of Southern Nevada, among others.

“I figured out early on in my life I wanted to be a developer for nonprofits,” he said. “It is my mission, my passion.”

Stalk has used his connections to many public and private enterprises to help make Veterans Village a reality. The organization signed a deal in January with the Jewish War Veterans organization to help underwrite the housing.

Veterans Village hopes to expand into other parts of the valley soon. Plans to build another location in Henderson are in the works, Stalk said. Because of the project’s use of existing property, as opposed to building new housing, it can be easily transplanted into other cities and, according to Stalk, cities such as Columbus, Ohio, and Los Angeles are interested in replicating it.

“I will always be grateful to this country and those who serve it,” he said. “The young kids I see in our lobby every day deserve a helping hand.”

Veterans Village has plans for continued volunteer programs. To donate time and money, and for more information, visit vvlv.org or call 702-624-5792.

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Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Nolan Lister at nlister@viewnews.com or 702-383-0492.