A few years ago, The Way Church Pastor David Halla asked a question of his congregation that could change the lives of numerous homeless veterans in Manteca.

The question: Could those in favor of creating a village for homeless veterans in part of the unused portion of the church’s parking lot at the campus at North Street and Roosvelt Avenue raise their hands.

Every hand in the sanctuary went skyward that Sunday morning.

On Tuesday, that leap of faith was celebrated with a ribbon cutting for the first phase of The Way Veteran Village.

The first phase consists of three tiny homes — two for individual veterans and one with separate bedrooms for two.

All units complete with complete kitchens and bathrooms.

Ultimately, the goal is to have 16 tiny homes on the site along with landscaping and additional Italian cypress to help screen the area from the street.

“We’re not just cutting the ribbon for a bunch of little homes,” Mayor Gary Singh said to a gathering of more than 70 people. “It’s giving hope and stability to our veterans.”

“This is what happens when you turn compassion into action.”

The Veterans Village is a partnership with The Way, the City of Manteca, San Joaquin County, and The WellNest Co.

Former State Senator Cathleen Galgiani played a key role in bringing several non-profits together and approaching council members Mike Morowit and Dave Breitenbucher about the proposal.

The two — who now serve on the council’s homeless subcommittee — embraced the concept.

From there, city management joined the effort.

“A lot of people had a lot of faith,” said Breitenbucher who is part of the twice a month effort involving agencies, police, and church groups to assist the homeless with basic needs and to encourage them to access the navigation center to start a journey aimed at getting them off the streets.

Morowit will sometimes join those efforts.

Both Morowit and Breitenbucher also accompany police on once-a-month quality of life sweeps where the homeless with outstanding warrants are arrested and those illegally camping are given the option of going to 555 Industrial Park Drive or else move on and be cited for illegal camping.

Illegal encampments are also shut down and taken away by Manteca Property Services during those efforts.

“Taking a hands on approach to see what’s going on helps us to better understand what is needed (to get the homeless off the streets),” Morowit said.

Breitenbucher agreed.

It may be as simple as getting information about relatives and/or friends they can reach out to on behalf of the homeless to see if they are willing to take them in.

And, if so, transportation is arranged.

“It does take a caring vision and it takes tenacity,” Galgiani said.

Working as a consultant, she now has a better understanding of what cities and non-profits are up against in trying to secure state grants and the loops they have to jump through.

This is not The Way’s first venture at making the church grounds available to the homeless.

For years, they have allowed the homeless to park their campers and vehicles in the parking lot overnight so they have a safer place to sleep.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com