West Michigan Veterans Coalition

08/28/2026

WMVC is at the Ottawa County Stand Down & Resource Fair today at the Pinnacle Center until 2 p.m.

Stop by and see us, connect with the many veteran organizations and community partners in attendance, and enjoy free food, swag, raffle prizes, and more.

Come say hello and learn more about the resources available to veterans and their families across West Michigan. We’ll see you there!

08/21/2026

08/19/2026

Yesterday, the West Michigan Veterans Coalition hosted our August Community Partners Meeting at the Ottawa County Fillmore Campus, bringing together a room full of organizations and individuals committed to better serving veterans across our region.

We were honored to hear from recipients of the Women Veterans Programming Grant Fund, who shared how their organizations are creating meaningful programs and resources for women veterans, service members, and their families:

• Healing in Arts — Pamela Alderman
• Healing in Arts — Jill Wolfe
• Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding, Inc. — Sara Mulder & Kelly Alcock
• SAVO — Tiffany Carr
• Sarah Wren Consulting — Sarah Wren

Their presentations led into an important community conversation about how we can better recognize, understand, and serve women veterans.

One of the biggest takeaways: there is no single women veteran experience. Women veterans bring different identities, responsibilities, backgrounds, and experiences with them when seeking support. Meeting their needs requires listening, intentional programming, greater awareness, and collaboration among the organizations serving them.

The conversation was also a valuable reminder of why these Community Partners Meetings matter. When organizations come together to share what they're seeing, what is working, and where gaps still exist, we strengthen the network of support available to veterans throughout West Michigan.

We are grateful to our presenters, community partners, and everyone who contributed to yesterday's conversation. Your work makes our veteran community stronger.

08/18/2026

We are a little more than 50 days away from the 75th annual Kent County Veteran of the Year Banquet in partnership with the United Veterans Council of Kent County.

We want to thank our sponsors for making this event possible:

-The Grand Rapids Community Foundation
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Acron Aviation
-The West Michigan Veterans Coalition
- Crossroads Eldercare Options
-Cornerstone Caregiving LLC

The FREE event is a chance for veterans and supporters to get together, honor a veteran doing amazing work for the veterans in our community and enjoy a nice dinner together.

The event planned for Thursday, October 8 from 6:30-9pm at Venue3Two in Kentwood.

Did you get your tickets yet? Register here before we fill up: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1981/Veteran-of-the-Year

08/14/2026

WMVC Chair Paul Ryan made a special appearance on WOOD Radio this morning to help spread the word about the 75th Annual Kent County Veteran of the Year Banquet!

Presented through a partnership between Kent County Veterans Services and the United Veterans Council of Kent County, the event recognizes veterans who continue making a difference in the lives of fellow veterans.

Nominations for Veteran of the Year are open through September 30, and the free banquet will take place Thursday, October 8 at Venue3Two in Grand Rapids.

WMVC is proud to support this tradition and celebrate veterans who continue serving their communities long after taking off the uniform.

Register or nominate a veteran today:
https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1981/Veteran-of-the-Year

08/14/2026

We hope you will join us for our bi-monthly Community Partner gathering next week!

Date: Tuesday, 18 August
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Location: Ottawa County Veterans Services, 12220 Fillmore St, West Olive, MI
In-person or virtual (link is sent upon registration)

These gatherings exist to connect and empower the organizations, businesses and individuals that are serving or have a desire to serve and support our veterans, actively serving military members, and their families in the West Michigan region.

See you there!

Join us at the West Michigan Veterans Coalition: Community Partners Meeting to connect, collaborate, and support our local veterans.

08/08/2026

💙 Sponsor Spotlight: West Michigan Veterans Coalition 💙
To our incredible sponsor—thank you for believing in our mission and the veterans we serve. Your generosity helps transform lives through the healing power of art, creating opportunities for expression, connection, and renewed hope. We are honored to have your support.

Art of Resilience by Healing in Arts is funded in part by Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program is managed by Mid-America Arts Alliance.
National Endowment for the Arts Mid-America Arts Alliance
Creative Forces

08/08/2026

On August 2, WMVC Chair Paul Ryan and Vice Chair Ryan Burke joined fellow veteran community leaders at a Veterans Roundtable hosted by Representatives Hilary Scholten (MI) and Ted Lieu (CA). The discussion focused on challenges facing veterans and military families, including transportation, access to health care, and the rising cost of basic needs.

WMVC remains committed to bringing organizations together, fostering meaningful collaboration, and advocating for solutions that strengthen support for veterans throughout West Michigan.

07/17/2026

Our West Michigan Veterans Coalition Board and Ambassadors came together this week for a strategic retreat focused on one question: how do we build an organization that sustainably serves West Michigan’s Veterans for years to come?

Together we’re defining our mission, setting clear priorities, and mapping out the direction of every WMVC program for the next 1–5 years. It’s not just about planning — it’s about making sure everyone in the room shares the same commitment to getting there.

Grateful for a team this dedicated to serving those who served us. More to come as we bring this vision to life. 🇺🇸

06/24/2026

📣 Funding Opportunity for Women Veteran Programming

The West Michigan Veterans Coalition is now accepting applications for funding to support programs and services that benefit women veterans throughout our 13-county service region.

WMVC has funding available to invest in innovative, impactful initiatives that enhance the lives of women veterans in West Michigan.

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, businesses, and other qualifying organizations serving women veterans.

🗓 Application Deadline: June 30, 2026

Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with the needs of women veterans, anticipated impact, geographic reach, and responsible use of funds. WMVC encourages innovative and collaborative programming that expands opportunities and access for women veterans throughout our region.

Together, we can expand opportunities and strengthen support for the women who have served our nation.

For application guidance and questions, please email Amy Batchelder, Executive Director for WMVC, at [email protected].