A new partnership has launched to offer resources to veterans experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities area.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is deploying 25 new Mobile Medical Units (MMU) nationwide; the Minneapolis VA is a recipient of one of the new units.
The mobile unit is a van containing medical equipment and supplies that can travel to various locations. It will help support the VA’s Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams — staff who offer care in community settings, providing services such as health assessments, health education, preventative care and referrals to other programs and resources in the area.
On Oct. 3, Minneapolis VA representatives announced a partnership with Catholic Charities Twin Cities so that the MMU can be at the Dorothy Day campus in St. Paul.
“I appreciate the asset that this vehicle is, but more so I appreciate the mindset of service that this vehicle represents,” St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said at the partnership launch event at the campus. “We’re excited to see this vehicle out and about in our community, and we’re excited for our continued partnership with both Catholic Charities and the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
Representatives said the MMU will be onsite at the Dorothy Day campus every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering care to veterans. The plan is to increase the number of sites throughout the Twin Cities, Minneapolis VA representatives said.
Minneapolis-based Catholic Charities Twin Cities programs assist more than 20,000 people per year, including 10,000 who seek support at the nonprofit’s four emergency shelters and its two day centers.
According to the nonprofit, many veterans use the Higher Ground St. Paul emergency shelter, on the Dorothy Day campus. Additionally, nearly one in 10 residents in Catholic Charities’ permanent supportive housing units across the Twin Cities are veterans, the nonprofit reports. Learn more about the nonprofit organization here: cctwincities.org
