Detroit Veterans Center accepting referrals — (313) 831-5500
MICHIGAN VETERANS FOUNDATION
Who we are.
FOUNDED ON A PROMISE
We were asked to show up.
We never stopped.
The Michigan Veterans Foundation is a nonprofit organization with one driving belief: no veteran should face homelessness alone.
Our primary project, the Detroit Veterans Center, is a full-service transitional housing facility and resource center rooted in the heart of Detroit. Built on the principle of veteran-to-veteran reinforcement, the DVC provides the structure, safety, and support that veterans need to rebuild — and the dignity they deserve.
The Foundation has been asked to expand its services across Michigan, with plans underway to open additional facilities throughout the state.
What we are
A Detroit-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, veteran-driven, community-rooted, and fiercely non-judgmental. We are a team of veterans and civilians united by a single mission.
What we do
Provide housing, training, healthcare, counseling, employment support, legal help, and community for veterans in need. We remove the barriers to independence.
THE PEOPLE
Our leadership.
Raeda Dabaja born 1979 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She moved to the United States of America in 1997 where she married and gave birth to a son and daughter. Mrs. Dabaja attended Davenport University studying Human Services. Mrs. Dabaja's primary career path was in the field of Nursing, where she attended U of D Mercy for four years before making the decision to enter the Human Service arena studying to become a Case Manager. A couple years later in 2009 Mrs. Dabaja applied for and was accepted for an internship at the Michigan Veterans Foundation as a case manager where she devoted herself to the benefit and welfare of this country's most deserving population; the Homeless Veteran. Prior to coming to the United States, Mrs. Dabaja could not conceptualize the idea that Military Veterans could be without a home and living on the streets.
After Mrs. Dabaja internship ended in 2010, she was offered the position of Executive Assistant where she worked under the indoctrination and training of the Foundation's Executive Director, Mr. Tyrone Chatman. She was very instrumental in helping to open the MVF Thrift Store, and introduced one of the summers most recognized fundraisers known as the MVF Car Show, which was highly anticipated by car enthusiast throughout Metro Detroit area.
Mrs. Dabaja worked with Tyrone Chatman on the development and construction of the new Veterans Foundation Detroit Veterans Center that earned the moniker "The Pentagon," which later opened in 2017.
After the untimely passing of Tyrone Chatman in February 2020, Mrs. Dabaja became the CEO of the Michigan Veterans Foundation. This was also an unfortunate and unforgettable beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a blink of an eye, Mrs. Dabaja had the weight of the Foundation on her shoulders. She was now responsible for developing a system where numerous lives would be dependent on her to be safe from the infectious COVID 19. We are very proud to say that the Michigan Veterans Foundation Detroit Veterans Center continues to work in concert with the City of Detroit's health department. At the age of 47, Raeda Dabaja has established herself as a major presence and an influence in the Wayne County Homeless Veterans service delivery system.
Bio information will be updated shortly.
Bio information will be updated shortly.
”"Help for our nation's patriots has finally arrived. We will not leave our wounded behind."
HOW WE WORK
Our approach.
Safe Environment
Structured housing that gives veterans stability while they rebuild — no conditions, no judgment, just a real foundation.
Human-Centered Services
Every service is designed around the veteran's real needs, not red tape. We meet them where they are, not where the system wants them to be.
Community Collaboration
We partner with nonprofits, agencies, and local government to ensure no veteran falls through the cracks.