Renewal by Andersen: Partnering to Help Veterans in Need

At Renewal by Andersen, we are thankful for our veterans not just on November 11, but every day. As a military-friendly business, we have many current and former servicemen and women on our teams who are doing great work and play vital roles in helping us grow and thrive as a company. Our locations across the nation are also dedicated to giving back to our communities and to the veterans in those communities wherever possible.

One such collaboration happened in November 2023, when Renewal by Andersen of the Greater Twin Cities partnered with the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) to provide 36 new windows for a transitional housing complex in St. Paul, Minnesota, that supports veterans who have experienced homelessness. 

The project will make a significant difference in the lives of the veterans who reside in the complex by helping provide warmth, comfort, and security, as well as helping to reduce energy costs, making it easier for veterans to afford their homes. As Twin Cities General Manager Nolan Kohlrusch says, “It’s not just about windows; it’s about transformation.”

Founded in 1990, MACV is a Veteran-focused nonprofit organization providing services and support to end veteran homelessness in Minnesota. Over the past three decades, the group has worked tirelessly to create a future where every veteran in Minnesota has access to services for attainable housing. Today, MACV touches the lives of more than 2,000 veterans annually, and support from the community and local businesses like Renewal by Andersen plays a crucial role in their ability to reach so many people. Jon Lovald, chief operating officer for MACV, emphasized the importance of collaborations like this, stating, “MACV couldn’t possibly achieve our mission of ending veteran homelessness without partnerships.” 

Kohlrusch, a veteran himself, explains why it was important for Renewal by Andersen to contribute to MACV’s mission. “We don’t just want to be a business; we want to be a community stakeholder and promote all the goodness within it,” he says.

To Kohlrusch, these windows represent more than just panes of glass. They stand as a symbol of hope, underscoring Renewal by Andersen’s commitment to make a lasting impact. “MACV’s mission goes beyond taking a veteran off the streets for a day or two. And when I think about this property and these windows going in, it’s also long-term. The veterans who live here are not going to have a window solution that’s transactional, it’s transformational,” he says.   

The impact of this alliance has had a profound impact on everyone who has come together to make this project a reality. Lovald agrees, calling the project “an amazing story of donation/volunteer vortex of energy.” 

He emphasized the importance of providing veterans with a place they can call their own. “This location will be a cherished haven for ten veterans, where they can make this space their own and feel at home within this community,” says Lovald.

Oudone Xiong, a Marine Corps veteran with 15 years of service, and a property manager for MACV, eagerly anticipates the completion of the housing project. He understands the importance of initiatives like this in helping veterans overcome the challenges they face after their military service. “It’s immensely gratifying to support our veterans and show them that their sacrifices for our nation have not gone unnoticed,” he said.

MACV employs a multifaceted approach to empower veterans on their journey to housing stability. The services offered range from outreach, housing case management, and supportive housing to healthcare navigation, employment service, housing subsidy programs, financial management, re-entry services, and legal advisement. Regardless of the specific services veterans utilize, the core focus remains on building a strong foundation for each individual, enabling them to lead a fulfilling life after their military service.