Community spaces matter at Veteran Village. They create opportunities for neighbors to gather, share conversations, and build the kind of connections that support long-term stability. Thanks to the students at SouthWest Metro Intermediate District 288, residents now have four new picnic tables that will help make those moments possible.

The students recently visited Veteran Village in Eagan, where they toured the property, learned more about the community, and met Veterans who live there. Their visit gave them the opportunity to see firsthand how thoughtful, community-driven projects can make a meaningful impact.

The picnic tables were built through the district’s YouthBuild program, which gives students hands-on experience while serving their communities through meaningful projects. At Veteran Village, those tables will become gathering places for picnics, conversations, morning coffee, and everyday moments of connection among residents.

Veteran Village was intentionally designed to foster community alongside stable housing. The 22-unit supportive housing community provides Veterans with a safe place to live while creating opportunities to build relationships, reduce isolation, and strengthen support networks. Additions like these picnic tables help bring that vision to life in practical and personal ways.

We are grateful to the students and staff at SouthWest Metro Intermediate District 288 for their generosity, hard work, and willingness to invest their time into supporting Minnesota Veterans. Their contribution will continue creating spaces for connection and community for years to come.