The NWI Veterans Village in Gary was the site of a check presentation on October 4 from the Majestic Star Casino and Hotel. Barry Cregan, General Manager and Senior Vice President at Majestic Star Casino and Hotel, presented a giant replica of a $19,079.58 check to Wendy Conner, Regional Property Manager at the NWI Veterans Village. NWI Veterans Village had been chosen by members of Majestic Star’s Annual Charity Golf Committee to be the recipient of this year’s fundraiser. Upon learning the amount of the check, Conner said, “I have a bucket list of items to accomplish that have been on hold. Now, because of Majestic Star’s generosity, we’ll be able to purchase fitness equipment for the gym, a large screen TV for the multipurpose room and a printer for the computer lab among many other things.”
According to Cregan, “The Majestic Star Casino and Hotel has always been committed to helping members of the local community. For example, every year members of the Charity Golf Committee select a local organization that needs our help. After we visited the NWI Veterans Village facility and learned how it provides both housing and hope for homeless veterans, we were all in agreement that this organization would benefit greatly from additional funds.”
In March, 2016, Mayor Karen Marie Freeman-Wilson of Gary, Indiana, welcomed veterans and their families to the opening of NWI Veterans Village, the $10.1 million facility including 44 units of housing for homeless veterans and room for Veteran Affairs staff to provide social services. Other amenities planned for the facility include a library, computer room, exercise room, community room, commercial kitchen, a roof garden patio, a walking trail and picnic area. There are also future plans for a restaurant that will provide the setting for job training for those interested in pursuing a career in culinary arts.
Ground was broken for the three-story facility in November 2013 and the Grand Opening ceremony took place in March 2016. In addition to providing safe, affordable housing for the homeless, the staff at NWI Veterans Village is also committed to increasing job-readiness and daily living skills for residents as they make their adjustments to traditional society.
Funding for NWI Veterans Village is provided by tax credits issued by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (HCDA), the City of Gary, Community Development Block Grant funds and other sources.
