WEST ALLIS, Wis. — A nonprofit that helps veterans and veteran families in need has made a lasting impact on a one veteran from Waukesha.
A veteran who is a single mom was in need of a simple necessity, but had no way to get it. That is when the Wisconsin Veterans Network (VetsNet) stepped in and helped out. Kristen Bauman recently retired from the Navy. She spent 22 years serving her country and loved every minute of it.
“It was the epitome of honor and being able to train and work with some of the best people in the world,” Bauman said.
Bauman has four children and in 2019 became a single mom after surviving a domestic violence relationship. She said it was a challenging time for her trying to navigate a new life with just her and her kids.
“Overnight, I lost all of our income,” Bauman said. “We had less than two dollars to our name when this happened. I had to figure out what to do next. How to keep us in our home and how to basically keep our family going.”
Bauman is a resilient woman and kept her family afloat. However, one day her refrigerator went out, and she didn’t have a way to replace it or repair it. So she reached out to VetsNet, who helped get her a new refrigerator for her home.
“It’s amazing to know that there are people who are willing to help veterans out,” Bauman said. “And it’s up to us as veterans to get over the shame of asking for help.”
VetsNet is a nonprofit that helps bridge the gap in the veterans benefit system. They can help veterans in need with things some may never even think of, like a refrigerator.
“We have partnerships statewide so we can serve any veteran anywhere in the state of Wisconsin,” VetsNet executive director Quentin Hatfield said.
Hatfield said his seven years working with VetsNet have been some of the most impactful of his career.
“This has been probably the most gratifying work I have ever done,” Hatfield said. “When we close the door every day, we know we have stepped into manful situations and made meaningful differences in the lives of American warriors.”
For Bauman, being able to feel the impact of this organization first hand has helped her on the course of her new life.
“This was definitely the start of a new chapter to have a home that was safe for me and my kids,” Bauman said.
A new chapter for a veteran giving her all to her family and her country.
