Click here to download a PDF version of the report.

When C.D. arrived at Homes for the Brave in 2011, he was frustrated with his inability to find a job and found it difficult to ask for help. He had been raised to make finding a job his number one priority and had been working since he was 12 years old. While at HFTB, C.D. was able to focus on his goals, manage his medical issues and look for permanent housing.

In April 2011, C.D. moved to Waldorf House, where he had more independence but could still access the staff and resources at HFTB. He joined an employment program where he will receive more than 290 hours of training and practical experience for several in-demand career paths. C.D. is looking forward to moving closer to his goals and living his life with a healthier, more positive attitude.

After leaving the military, S.O. went through an extended period of travelling and abusing drugs. She found jobs from time to time, but eventually the stress, economy, lack of work, and drug problems caught up with her. To start her road to recovery, S.O. moved into a coed housing program, but she found that the program had a difficult time relating to women and catering its services to women. In November 2011, she became the second resident of Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes.

At FS:FH, S.O. found a staff and a program whose mission aims to help female Veterans grow mentally, physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. S.O. states that the “atmosphere of delight and comfort” at FS:FH helped her life “take off into orbit”. Goals that seemed harder outside of the program seemed simpler now. In January, S.O. became the first FS:FH resident to be hired as a House Monitor for the program. Her ultimate goal is to complete her degree program and move into a four year bachelor’s program where she hopes to earn a double major related to human services. S.O. wants to stay sober and move into her program. Of the FS:FH house, she says “that the environment has to be conducive to your growth and that you are a reflection of the house”, but we think that the houses are reflections of the incredible individuals like S.O. who live there.

A.R. entered a program that dealt with mental health and addiction issues. The director of the program, who was also a Veteran, told A.R. that his only chance to get the help that he needed was to enter an inpatient program at the VA. While in the inpatient program he was told about Homes for the Brave, but he almost declined. A.R. felt that he should return home to for his mother who was sick.

Once he arrived at HFTB in October 2011, A.R. was surprised at the abundance of resources available to him. He received access to job listings and computers, time with his Case Manager Georgianna, and meetings with other staff to help support his goals. Of his experience at HFTB, A.R. says, “you have to put every effort into it because it is transitional,” but if you take advantage of it there are many opportunities available to you.

A.R. found a job at a local movie theater and is currently working on getting his car running. In addition, he is preparing to go back to school to be an automotive mechanic at Gateway Community College through the GI Bill. When he completes the two year degree, he will be the first member of his family with a college degree. A.R. is also applying for a VA Supportive Housing voucher and hopes to move into his own apartment in the next six months.

Dominion Foundation

ABRI/Homes for the Brave has just recently received a $25,000 grant from the Dominion Foundation. To Dominion, recognizing the critical needs of all members of a society is the true measure of a community and a company. Dominion and its operating companies are involved in developing and supporting programs and organizations that provide the health and human services our communities require. The $25,000 will go toward the general funding of the Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes program.

Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program

ABRI/Homes for the Brave has received a grant from The WorkPlace, Inc. to provide services under the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP).  The purpose of HVRP is to provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans.  Eligible Veterans will receive a variety of services under this program including, but not limited to, Case Management, Job Search Assistance, Counseling and Vocational Guidance, and Follow-up.  Homes for the Brave staff will also assist program participants to access training opportunities offered through a number of federally funded programs.

van Ameringen Foundation

ABRI/Homes for the Brave has received a grant of $50,000 from the van Ameringen Foundation. This foundation is a private grant making association located in New York City. van Ameringen funds direct care in the mental-health field, with an emphasis on those individuals and populations having an impoverished background and few opportunities. The funding from this grant will go toward the staffing for the Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes program.

• April 4, 2012: Artist Janet Baldi held an art show titled “Freedom” where 50% of the profits made were donated to FS:FH. Check out these two articles with more information: “Art Show to Benefit Housing for Female Veterans” and “YWCA Art Show“

• March 2, 2012: Ridgefield’s Bikram Yoga is collecting food items to aid buildOn students who make meals at HFTB every week.

• February 24, 2012: Danbury High School ROTC has been busy! Between creating a wall dedicated to veterans in their high school last year, to donating to FS:FH, they have also received the highest inspection rating from the military.

• February 23, 2012: FS:FH residents are turning their lives around, read about two of the residents’ experiences in the article Home Provides Refuge for Homeless Female Veterans.

• February 6, 2012: With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, US Rep. Jim Himes is working with children for the “Valentines for Vets” program!

• February 6, 2012: A veteran couple with a six year old son found themselves homeless last year. Learn more about their story and how Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes is trying to make a difference: VA Seeing Spike in Homeless Vets with Families

• January 27, 2012: Sgt. Maj. Caterina Veronesi, Army Reserve NCO uses civilian, military backgrounds to benefit veterans at both Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes and ABRI/Homes for the Brave.

• December 15, 2011: Look at the View from Glen Hill: A home for the bravest among us, to learn about the transformation of the PFC Nicholas A. Madaras Home for women veterans.

• December 3, 2011: Northrop Grumman’s Norwalk facility gives community grants to many different organizations, and ABRI/Homes for the Brave plans on using their funds for staff and staff support at both of its residential homes.

• November 28, 2011: “Shalini Madaras is our own special hero” said CEO of ABRI/Homes for the Brave Joy Kiss. The article Homeless Veterans Find Hope presents Madaras’ dedication to Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes and how she feels this program represents her son.

• November 16, 2011: At the Norwalk Veterans Memorial Committee’s annual Veteran’s Day ceremony, the Madaras family was honored for their son’s sacrifice. This is the first time a non-Norwalk resident has received recognition their work with veterans.

• November 12, 2011: The Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes home is finally open. The article ‘Transitional housing for women vets opens‘ gives an outstanding summary of the program and its staff while also providing pictures of the property.

• November 11, 2011: Students Create Wall of Honor for Veterans in Danbury, Connecticut. The wall is a visual of multiple photos all of Connecticut fallen soldiers. The students also made a donation of $1,500 to the Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes program.

• November 11, 2011: The bond between ABRI/Homes for the Brave and the Kick for Nick Foundation has never been closer with the recent launch of the FS: FH collaborated project. Check out this article where ‘O’Tools Irish Pub in New Haven to Hold Benefit for Kick For Nick‘ to find out more about the event and the foundation.

• November 11, 2011: The West Virginia Veterans Memorial have just revealed their new statute honoring all of the women from the state that have served in the military. The state capitol now has a new soldier and ‘She’s Looking on Now‘.

• November 10, 2011: Dominion Donates $25,000 to Aid Homeless, Wounded Veterans and Military Families. “Dominion is grateful for the service and sacrifice military veterans and their families have made in defending our country” — Tom Farrell II, President/CEO. Also check out these articles: ‘Dominion Donates $50,000 to Agencies that Aid Veterans and Military Families in New England‘, ‘Dominion donates to help military veterans‘ and ‘Four Va. groups among 10 organizations in six states to receive Dominion grants’.

• November 10, 2011: ABRI/Homes for the Brave will be hosting a boxing exhibition fundraiser entitled “Fighting for our Vets” where all proceeds go toward the organizations programs. Check out this feature article on the subject: ‘Stamford Boxing Exhibition Benefits Vets‘.

• November 10, 2011: Veterans day is a day of remembrance for all of those men and women served and currently serving in the United States military. Read the article ‘No end to all wars yet‘ on the importance of good treatment of our veterans.

• November 9, 2011: Five women veterans are already on the waiting list for Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes! Read more about this new endeavor in the article ‘A Place to Call Home‘!

• November 9, 2011: We want to thank Dominion Resources Inc. for the Dominion Donation to ‘Homes for the Brave’. The purpose of this donation is meant to help further the Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes program’s women and children.

• October 21, 2011: With President Barack Obama’s announcement Friday that the remaining American troops will be coming home by the end of the year, Local veterans react to troop pullout in Iraq and share their opinions on the nine-year war. Also coverage of the FS: FH ribbon cutting ceremony:For Female Veterans, A Place to Call Home

• October 20, 2011: Home for female veterans ready  to open its doors after four years of hard work! Wiltonian Shalini Madaras and the Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes will hold the ribbon cutting ceremony for the program on Friday, Oct. 21.

• October 16, 2011: A Late soldier’s mission lives on in help for homeless Vets. Find out more about Wilton, Connecticut native PFC. Nicholas A. Madaras and how he wanted to share his passion of soccer with the children of Iraq.

• September 8, 2011: Save Our Vets is a non-profit that works closely with HFTB and Debi Koulogianis, the founder of SOV has been Putting Out an SOS for Veterans, read more!

• August 27, 2011: St. Ann’s Club donated the funds raised by their annual golf tournament to FS:FH to assist the homeless female veterans and the refurbishing of the PFC Nicholoas Madaras House.

• August 16, 2011: Returning veterans need as much support as they can get, HFTB tries to do its part, read “Vets Due Support” to learn about what veterans are really coming home to.

• August 16, 2011: According to a 2010 report by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 237,696 Veterans live in Connecticut. The Connecticut Post publishes the article on Returning veterans face struggles returning to the home front.

• July 7,2011: Thumbs up to members of the Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield for their continuing commitment to helping area veterans. Over the Fourth of July weekend, Brooklawn golfers raised $17,000 toward creating a transitional housing facility in Bridgeport for 15 homeless women veterans.

• July 7, 2011: Golfers at Brooklawn Country Club raised more than $17,000 over the Fourth of July weekend to benefit a transitional housing project in Bridgeport for 15 homeless women veterans. The building, called the PFC Nicholas A. Madaras Home, is being built by “Homes for the Brave,” a non-profit organization that Brooklawn has adopted for its Community Outreach Program this summer.

• July 6,2011: More than 250 Brooklawn golfers (men, women and juniors) participated in the “Homes for the Brave Open” by donating a minimum of $25 to Homes for the Brave — which will use the money for specific furnishing needs at the home Representatives from Homes for the Brave were at the first tee to answer questions and to distribute literature about the home. And the course and the clubhouse were decorated with American flags and patriotic banners.

• June 25, 2011: Steve Lobdell coordinated the Stratton Faxon Fairfield Half Marathon. The race, hosted by the Fairfield Firefighters, raised close to $350,000 last year. The primary beneficiary this year is the Hole in the Wall Gang. Other charities include many veterans’ causes such as Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport, Fisher House and Operation Gift Card

• May 17, 2011: The Sarah Riggs Humphreys-Mary Silliman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently supported female soldiers through the Homes for the Braves Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes organization.

• March 6, 2011: Saugatuck Congregational Church, Wilton American Legion, and Westport VFW visit Homes for the Brave to provide a turkey dinner for the residents and present a check for Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes. Funds were raised at the Fields of Flags event in 2010.  Anthony Buzzeo of the Westport Daily “Special Dinner Gives Vets Hope“. Westport Minuteman “Senator Blumenthal helps serve meals…” with video.

• December 16, 2010: Kara O’Connor of The Wilton Villager, “Female veterans home to be named after fallen Wilton soldier.” Ms. O’Connor writes about the naming of the house after Pfc. Nicholas A. Madaras for  the Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes program.

• December 8, 2010: Keila Torres of The Connecticut Post, “Wreaths bring circle of respect to veterans.” Ms. Torres writes about Wreaths Across America convoy stopping at Homes for the Brave on its way to Arlington National Cemetery.

• December 6, 2010: Tom Puleo of The New Haven Independent, “Transitional Housing Planned For Female Vets.” Mr. Puleo highlights statistics on female veterans and the new home for Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes.

• August 11, 2010: Keila Torres of The Connecticut Post, “First group home in state for women veterans approved.” Ms. Torres writes about the approval of the first transitional home for female veterans in Connecticut for ABRI’s, Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes program.

• May 22, 2010: Chris Rhatigan of New Have Register, “Dinner set for vets in Milford“. West Shore Middle School students held a dinner and raffle to benefit Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes.

• March 6, 2010: Keila Torres of The Connecticut Post, “Sanctuary planned for homeless women veterans.” Ms. Torres writes about ABRI/Homes for the Brave”s and Kick for Nick’s partnership, the challenges that female veterans face, and Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes.

• March 1, 2010: Keila Torres of The Connecticut Post, “Forgotten heroes, women veterans struggle to gain recognition, support.” Ms. Torres writes about women’s lives after deployment and about Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes.

• February 28, 2010: Steve Kobak, The Norwalk Hour, “Without Home – Veterans on the street grow.” Mr. Kobak highlights the still growing problem of homelessness among veterans in Connecticut.

• November 23, 2008: Alan Cohn of CT News Channel 8 (WTNH), “Young Vet fights against homelessness“. Alan Cohn reports on the growing rate of homelessness among Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans and about Homes for the Brave. Includes both text and video.

-VA CT Summit 2011

- VA CT Summit 2011

- National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

 - Female Soldiers Forgotten heroes