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The tragedy of the news t And with that in mind, we do want to take a few minutes to share a story of hope and transformation in South Minneapolis right now. A local nonprofit that has worked for years to help our at-risk veterans is about to launch a huge expansion. Kent went to pay them a visit t How was it Kent? It was incredible, Jana. There's nothing really It is the latest in a series of expansions for a group called Every T And the story be And the new veterans resource and empowerment center in South Minneapolis is a big deal. The building is just under 10,000 square feet. It's just every way. Total cost on construction and finishes was about $2 million. Each dollar of that investment is geared toward veterans in need, beginning with a unique supply store. T Yes. For your charge, they come in here and shop for anyt It's not about them taking what we've got. It's about us making sure we have what they need. And Marine Corps veteran Tom McKenna says that approach goes far beyond t It'll be a place where you can work out. We have a full fitness center upstairs. It's a place where you can learn about programs and services that we're offering. It's a place where veterans can meet caseworkers and you can come in here and just be you. Just relax. Sometimes the burdens veterans are carrying, especially if they're homeless or in great need. Sometimes it's just so heavy. Service providers can come in here. Tom says that heaviness is what got It started with a chance meeting with one homeless veteran. I pulled over to the side of the road to say, what's going on? What can we help you with? And I thought he would say, I need some money or somet I had 20 bucks. I was going to give And he said, I need underwear and socks. I haven't changed my underwear in a week. It floored me. Inspired by that interaction, Tom and All of a sudden our basement was full, our garage was full. We ended up buying a trailer. They started bringing that trailer to the Minneapolis VA parking lot every t And soon their name and their mission was born. It just kept growing from there. They expanded into their first storefront five years ago and then opened their first supply store, followed by a classroom space for PTSD recovery. Rather than having the tra But when the organization tried to grow into yet another new space across the street a few years ago, an inspector gave them bad news. The renovations we had planned were never going to work. And just as he was running out of money and options, the Star Tribune called about a story. And after it was published, a generous investor called. He asked us to come and meet And the question was asked if money was not the object, what would you do? It was amazing. We couldn't believe it. A rendering based on that conversation turned into the center that stands today, along with Rick's coffee bar, what will t One, job training. Two, it will hopefully produce some revenue to help us with programs and services. There's a certain level of understanding that is created. And it's really cool and really pretty powerful. What would you say to that veteran today if you had a chance to tell First, I would say thank you to that veteran. Second, he changed countless lives. As you could tell, every t Still officially open next door next week. The grand opening for the coffee bar is planned for later in June. By the way, Janna, there's no charge at that coffee bar for veterans or their families. That's really cool. And it all starts with that act of kindness from that first veteran for one of And then somebody out there saw a story and said, I can help. It's really amazing. So many people have seen the work that they've done and have helped them grow and grow. That's remarkable. Thank you for that story of Hope Kent. We appreciate it.
