I love feel good stories about celebrities. Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed over the weekend that he donated $250,000 to build 25 tiny homes in Los Angeles for homeless veterans. Arnold partnered with Hope of the Valley Tiny Home village in Alexandria Park in North Hollywood, the largest tiny home village in California, to bring Christmas to some veterans. Hope of the Valley provides interim housing support for homeless vets and gives them access to mental health, detox services, job search services and three meals a day. The tiny village is designed for single veterans only. The vets also receive clothing and hygiene products and have access to showers and laundry services. They even have a dog run. Arnold came to visit the village after the houses he donated were installed. Below are a few more details from The New York Post:
“Today, I celebrated Christmas early,” Schwarzenegger said in a tweet Thursday. “The 25 homes I donated for homeless veterans were installed here in LA. It was fantastic to spend some time with our heroes and welcome them into their new homes.”
The Austrian muscle man said his act of generosity was what Christmas is all about.
“All of you have the power to do something for someone else this holiday season,” said Schwarzenegger, 74. “It doesn’t have to be big. Just give a few minutes of your time to help someone else.”
Hope of the Valley launched its first “Tiny Home Village” in North Hollywood in February.
The new homes from Schwarzenegger will be a lifesaver for vets like Ferris Keams, who spent months living outside in a tent.
“No squirrels and no rats,” he told Fox 11 in LA approvingly of his new digs. “It’s home.”
It is deplorable that men and women who fight wars have to return home battling mental and physical health issues while struggling with homelessness. This issue is close to my heart. When I first moved to Oakland I worked for a veteran’s organization that helped house homeless vets. I love that Hope of the Valley will be helping around 600 people find permanent housing every year. It sounds like a well rounded program that will help keep people off the streets.
I also thought it was cool that Arnold came to tour the homes he donated and mingle with the veterans he assisted. I am sure meeting the Terminator and former governor was an experience the veterans will never forget. As a veteran it was wonderful to wake up to this story and I hope to see more people with means follow in Arnold’s footsteps. Arnold’s gift was such a great way to honor the men and women who give their lives to keep the American people safe. You can donate to Hope of The Valley here.
Today, I celebrated Christmas early. The 25 homes I donated for homeless veterans were installed here in LA. It was fantastic to spend some time with our heroes and welcome them into their new homes. pic.twitter.com/2mHKfoZ65V
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) December 24, 2021
To a non-American, like myself, this sounds insane. In the richest country in the world, the USA, the veterans are homeless, plus they depend on the good will of an actor to have a roof over their heads. Mind-boggling. Something is seriously f@%#$€ up with the good ol’ US of A. And kudos to Arnold, he really has grown on me in the last couple of years, when he spoke against nazis and now this. His heart is in the right place.
I agree, its insane how little support veterans are given in the US. But this was a wonderful thing to do.
At the same time I know many retired veterans that have pensions, disability (which is encouraged to seek no matter the truth) and funds from many other capacities like starting a small business or school or furthering our education in any manner. And they blow their money because they know there will always be more via direct deposit.
It’s a system with many faults and cracks. Abused by many to the detriment of others.
Wow, so many unproven digs. Veterans lie about disability, Many of them are doing beautifully. Others live in tents because they blow their money. They are in clover, really, depending on those direct deposit.
Fernanda – this is such a complex issue that is so entangled in with our capitalist strategy of war as a profit machine and the working class as expendable foot soldiers but that’s a discussion for a different time. Let’s take this moment to enjoy Arnold’s compassion. The tiny house solution is growing in popularity and every success is a chance to expand this option and serve more need.
Arnold is also a vegan.
Wasn’t a great politician but a great guy
He’s a vegan?? What the actual … why are vegans still being asked about protein?? From today forward I have only one answer on my lips: Ahhnold. Nuf said.
He’s not needing as much protein in that form anymore. He needs different thinks as his body ages. It happens a lot. He’s also way off the synthetic testosterone 😉
It sounds like a wonderful and much needed program. As a daughter of a veteran it is heartbreaking how little support is given to our military members, both active and non-active.
Everybody should have a roof over their heads.Well done, Arnold. Maybe some of his friends or his douchey son in law can also contribute
Growing up, a good friend of mine’s mother worked as a nurse in a local veteran’s hospital. Unfortunately, veterans have long suffered from a lack of support with mental and physical health upon returning to society after war. It’s good that Arnold has helped provide housing with access to this support.
Mr Schwarzenegger has not always been my favorite person, but he has shone in his honesty over his childhood in Austria and fighting corona. People are a mix of good and bad, and this Christmas action of his is heartwarming.
Arnold is good human.
This is great in many ways.
A great way to make a meaningful change!
I follow Arnold on IG and get his newsletter. He truly is inspiring and those 25 tiny homes will help vets like me. (I’m not homeless but there have been times in my life that I’ve come close to it). Those veterans deserve to have a home and so much more.
This is a wonderful and benevolent project that Arnold has funded. This country does not do right by the veterans in this country and it is a damn shame.
If more Republicans behaved like this guy, our country would be a better place.
Also, Oya, I didn’t realize you are a veteran too. Thanks for your service to our country, in the service and in focusing on celebrities, especially Black celebrities, here on Celebitchy too! I really appreciate you.
Ditto! Thanks Oya!
aww thanks ya’ll!!
If any of you might know veterans in need of support, here are a few resources:
Vet Centers – (yes that’s the real name) located all over the US, VA funded but operates independently of VA hospitals/clinics w/no information sharing. For combat vets or MST survivors who are in need of counseling, walk ins ok.
HUD-VASH – monthly housing assistance, usually administered by VA social workers at VA hospitals
SSVF – federal grant administered by nonprofits all over the US to help w/deposit and emergency rent assistance, can also provide emergency shelter assistance for a number of days that I don’t remember how long a veteran is eligible.
I’ve personally utilized vet centers and have been on the administrative side of the two grants and they are legit resources that aren’t really advertised or common knowledge. Hope this information finds its way to someone it can help ♥️ Thank you to all you kind, compassionate celebitches…knowing you all are out there too makes going through the world a bit better!!
„ who give their lives to keep the American people safe“
????? You still buy this ????
They give their life for political interest, oil etc. but definitely nor for „safe Americans“
Ps: No country on this planet would ever attack America. Never.
You’re joking, right?
You cannot be serious.
I’m a pacifist and disagree with war on principle. *However* I think veterans deserve safe housing, psychological support, a decent job and/or disability support. Soldiers aren’t the ones who profit from war.
Hold people in power accountable instead of blaming everyday citizens who are trying to survive. I have friends who joined the Navy because it was the only they could get a uni degree. I’m sure there loads of working class people who joined for similar reasons.
War is a tool of the capitalist Eurocentric patriarchal military complex. Having compassion for veterans is an important way to acknowledge the damage created by war. If you want to stop war than work on being activist, dismantling the system, practicing compassion and educating yourself.
It is mind-boggling how many still buy into this BS.
I love that Arnold did this but I hate the fact we depend on wealthy people for things like this instead of the actual government. Also, it’s not even like Arnold is the wealthiest of the wealthy. Jeff Bezos should be the one doing this. Zuckerberg too.