[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 32 (Wednesday, March 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2844-S2845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize the services of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
VFW, National Home for Children. Located in Eaton Rapids, MI, the VFW 
Home for Children has spent the past 80 years caring for the children 
and families of our Nation's veterans. The National Home's uniquely 
designed facility provides housing, food, health care, education, 
training, and counseling for the orphaned children and single-parent 
families in their care. With 70 buildings, 36 individual family homes, 
a community center, a guest lodge, and a chapel, the National Home is 
well-equipped to serve VFW-connected children from around the country.
  The VFW National Home for Children provides two distinct programs for 
its residents: the Residential Program and the Single Parent Family 
Program. Children without a parent or guardian are placed in the 
Residential Program and live with professional childcare workers until 
they graduate from high school or are reunited with a family member. 
Single parent families are placed in a 3-year program that helps the 
parent or guardian develop the skills necessary to become self-
sufficient. Both programs strive to ensure that the children maintain 
as normal a living arrangement as possible. Therefore, the community is 
structured as a typical American neighborhood and is fully integrated 
into the surrounding community. Children attend public school, live in 
brick homes instead of dormitories, and are encouraged to participate 
in community-wide events. Most importantly, both of these programs 
provide the children involved with what they need the most--a normal 
childhood.
  The VFW National Home for Children is the only organization of its 
kind in the United States. Their innumerable services have touched the 
lives of thousands of children and families. Whether it is an orphaned 
child who has lived at the National Home since infancy, or a struggling 
family that needs help getting on their feet, virtually everyone

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leaves the National Home stronger and in a better position than when 
they arrived.
  I know my Senate colleagues join me in offering our congratulations 
and sincere appreciation to the VFW National Home for Children. We 
applaud and admire the valuable work of the dedicated donors, staff, 
and volunteers. We commend the VFW National Home for Children as they 
continue to improve the lives of these families.

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