Local business teams up with Northwoods Veterans Homestead to help homeless vets

BRANTWOOD – A local business and an area veterans organization teamed up last weekend for an event to help homeless veterans in northern Wisconsin and beyond.
According to data from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, there were 337 unhoused veterans in Wisconsin in 2020.
Northwoods Veterans Homestead (NVH) is working to help vets in need.
NVH is a nonprofit organization founded by Rhinelander residents Gordy and Sandy Edington in 2021. Located two miles east of Rhinelander on three and a half acres of land, the organization was formed with the goal of building a community center and tiny homes for veterans in need of housing.
The Rhinelander-based community will follow a successful model operating in Racine. While another organization is currently in the process of developing veteran-specific homeless units in Milwaukee, the Racine community is the only one of its kind in Wisconsin at this time, and when the Milwaukee units are operational, both communities will ultimately have a primary focus on the southern part of the state.

NVH said it is set to pioneer the first veteran-specific homeless operation in northern Wisconsin, catering to all unhoused veterans in the Badger State. Along with 16 tiny homes and a community center, the Rhinelander homestead will also include a veterans’ market/shop and a community garden.
“Our priority is to provide person-centered programming, tailoring our services to meet the unique needs of each veteran, empowering them to regain self-sufficiency and make meaningful contributions to their communities,” NVH stated. “Moreover, we ensure that homeless veterans can focus on their future success without any financial burden.”
NVH said its foundational programming covers a wide range of essential life skills, including cooking, financial management, job searching, resume writing and personal hygiene. The organization also works with community partners to facilitate access to professional services in areas such as healthcare, legal aid and counseling.
“By offering comprehensive support, we empower our veterans to rebuild their lives and overcome the challenges they face,” NVH stated.
Carla Ruuskanen, Vice President of NVH, said the organization is currently working to raise $3 million to build the homestead and provide operating expenses for the first year. NVH has already raised enough money to purchase the property and conduct site planning, as well as obtain blueprints of the tiny homes and community center.
“We still have money in the bank, but we have a long way to reach our goal,” Ruuskanen stated. “We have fostered many relationships and partnerships through the past few years and continue to grow our network. Without this, we would not be as far as we are.”
Earlier this year, Gail Youngs, who owns The Butcher and the Baker with her husband, Mark, reached out to Ruuskanen about hosting an event to benefit NVH.
The Butcher and the Baker is a custom meat processor and retail store/deli located at N5334 N. River Rd. in Brantwood, about 20 miles west of Tomahawk. The business opened in Aug. 2024 and offers everything from beef, pork, chicken and fish to specialty sausages and meat bundles, as well as a mercantile with local syrups, honey and crafts. The Butcher and the Baker’s deli service includes sandwiches, wraps, pizzas and more, and catering services and special events are also offered.
The“BBQ for the Brave” event, benefiting NVH, was held July 19 at The Butcher and the Baker. The event featured The Butcher and the Baker’s slow-smoked brisket and pork and several sides, as well as cold beverages, raffles and a bounce house for kids.
Youngs said the idea for BBQ for the Brave “really came from the heart.”
“We have two sons who are Army veterans, a daughter-in-law currently serving active duty, and my dad and several uncles also served, so supporting veterans isn’t just something we care about – it’s part of who we are,” she stated. “When I saw the story about Northwoods Veterans Homestead on the news, I was immediately drawn to it.”
Youngs added that NVH’s mission to help unhoused veterans “felt personal.”
“We knew we had to do something to help, and bringing people together over good food and music seemed like the perfect way to do it,” she said.
To learn more about NVH, or to take a virtual tour of the community center and tiny homes, visit www.northwoodsveteranshomestead.org/.
For more information about NVH, contact Carla Ruuskanen at Carlar@northwoodsveteranshomestead.org.