Six more veterans moved into transitional tiny homes at the Veterans Community Project (VCP) of Longmont on June 4, marking a new chapter in the nonprofit’s mission to support unhoused veterans. The move brings the total number of occupied homes in the village to 16. Since opening in 2023, VCP Longmont has provided fully furnished housing paired with comprehensive wraparound case management to help residents stabilize and rebuild.
Meanwhile, three residents, including Navy veteran Dale Patrick Putnam, are preparing to graduate into permanent housing, such as rented apartments or other stable living arrangements. It is a milestone that reflects not only personal progress but also the broader goals of the program. To support lasting success, VCP checks in with graduates for up to a year after they leave, helping ensure their housing and overall well-being remain stable.
Putnam, who has lived at the village for about a year and a half, reflected on how the experience has helped him. “This place gave me the space and time to become a more well-rounded person,” he said. “I was in a bad place. Now I’m much better equipped to handle the responsibilities life throws at you.”
He often found solace in quiet moments overlooking Long’s Peak, a mountain he said felt like it lived in the village’s own backyard. “It’s a really pleasant place with beautiful views. I’ve spent a lot of time just sitting and pondering.”
Putnam came to VCP after facing a series of personal challenges. “Longmont just seemed like the right place to start over,” he said. “There are a lot of resources here, and VCP was one of them.” Now preparing to move on, he calls the moment bittersweet. “The place is finally finished, and I’m leaving soon. But I’ll be around. I’ve built friendships here. It’s not goodbye.”
His story reflects the broader mission of VCP, which announced a $50,000 grant from Wells Fargo during Wednesday’s event. The funds will support VCP’s Money Management pillar, one of five core areas aimed at equipping veterans with tools for long-term financial stability.
VCP’s holistic model focuses on five pillars: health, opportunity, money management, education, and support networks. The new grant will bolster financial literacy offerings such as budgeting, credit understanding, and financial planning, while other pillars connect veterans with jobs, training, and strong community ties.
John Gibson, Wells Fargo’s new Region Executive for Colorado Branch Banking, presented the grant on-site. “This is a great project that supports housing, financial security, and the drive to help veterans transition,” he said. Gibson, whose father and grandfather served in the military, described the visit as deeply personal. “Seeing this initiative firsthand means a lot to me.”
Next week, on June 12, VCP will host a community housewarming to celebrate the completion of all 26 homes in the village. The event, which is free and open to the public, also marks the beginning of expanded services to help residents continue to grow. The event begins at 5:45 p.m. with a brief presentation, followed by music, dancing, yard games, drinks, and a sweets bar full of treats.
“These milestones matter,” said Gibson, who plans to attend with his wife and daughters. “I want my kids to learn what it means to give back and be part of a community.”
Executive Director Jennifer Seybold emphasized the importance of celebrating everyday progress. “It’s easy to forget to celebrate because you’re focused on the big picture and doing the work every day. But pausing to recognize when someone handles a situation differently than they would have a year ago, that’s a huge win. When individuals who once isolated begin to connect, those small victories are vital for the team to celebrate. That’s what keeps me grounded and connected to our work.”
For residents like Putnam, that sense of connection has been critical. “Being part of a community is a requirement for healing,” he said. “Positive human connections help you move in the right direction.”
Much of that community was built from the ground up — literally — by the volunteers who shaped the village into what it is today. Among them is Victor Young, a member of Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response nonprofit. He was recruited early in the project by a fellow "gray shirt" to serve as a group leader and safety officer on-site.
“When I started, this was just a field with survey stakes,” Young said. “I got my hands on everything — framing, sheathing, roof trusses, trim work, stone work.” Over the course of three years, he contributed to nearly every phase of construction. “People came in with different skills and knowledge. Some contributed what they already had, and others, like me, developed new ones.”
Reflecting on the project’s evolution, Young described the transition from construction to increased service delivery as a meaningful shift. “There’s a sadness about ascending, but the truth is, it’s really a beginning,” he said. “We’re just part of a phase that brought it to this point where Veterans Community Project can now do what it intended from the start. But it will only last as long as people are willing to support it. My hope is that this continues as more veterans come through and transition.”
