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.

• 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.

• 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

 - CHALENG, 2009

 - Female Soldiers Forgotten heroes

HFTB is located at 655 Park Avenue in Bridgeport in 100 year old house that was completely renovated in 2001. Residents have access to a fully stocked kitchen, a free laundry room, a computer lab, a tv/reading room, and the Christel Room which is a communal area for meals and socializing. As our CEO, Joy Kiss, tells the residents, “This is your home. We just work here.” The residents assign and rotate the chores to clean the bedrooms, bathrooms, and communal areas of the house.

While at HFTB residents are assigned one of three full-time Case Managers. With their Case Managers, residents establish goals in the areas of housing, employment, and self-determination. In addition depending on an individual’s needs, they will also attend living skills classes, pre-employment, and computer classes. If residents cannot work, the staff encourages them to find volunteer opportunities in the community.

To see pictures of our home at Homes for the Brave, click here.

At ABRI/Homes for the Brave, our staff will work with you create goals and access services. The objective of our programs is to provide motivated individuals with the support and skills training needed to be gainfully employed, contributing members of their community.

Homes for the Brave and Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes:

Homes for the Brave and Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes are transitional housing programs for homeless Veterans. Homes for the Brave is open to homeless male Veterans and non-Veterans. FS:FH is open to homeless female Veterans and their young children.

Eligibility Criteria

To be accepted into our programs, an individual must be:

• homeless,
• in active treatment with DMHAS or VA CT or other mental health or substance abuse program for those residents with a history of substance abuse or mental health problems,
• medically and behaviorally stable, drug-free, and alcohol-free for at least 14-days,
• motivated to work with us to establish employment, and
• willing to pay 30% of their weekly income (for a maximum of $75/wk) toward program fees.

Program Highlights:

• An approach that encourages each person to be in charge of his or her own recovery.
• An experienced a staff that will assist each individual to make reasoned, balanced, and informed decisions regarding personal goals that will lead to independent living in the community.
• A functional assessment to identify the life skills issues that will need to be addressed for each individual to reach their goals.
• A team of case managers that will work with each person every step of the way.

The Homes for the Brave Veterans’ Service Center

The Homes for the Brave Veterans’ Service Center is open to any homeless veteran. At the Center, a dedicated staff member will meet with you to discuss a variety of services. The Center is located at 655 Park Avenue.

Services include:

• Immediate basic need assistance
• Referrals to emergency and permanent housing, vocational services and trainings, entitlements, and supportive services.

The Veterans’ Service Center is open for drop-appointments, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Please bring your DD214 or VA ID Card to verify veteran status.

For more information on referrals to any of our programs, please email Clinical Director, John Porto, or contact him at:

Financial Contributions:

Financial contributions allow HFTB to continue fostering its programs and expanding its services.

To donation by credit card or electronic check, please click here.

To mail a donation, please use our printable donation form which can be downloaded here.

Memorials

Make a donation in memory of a friend, relative, or loved one. We honor memorial and honorial donations on our website and in our annual report. Visit our memorial page here.

Honorials

Celebrate an engagement, anniversary, graduation, bar/bat mitzvah, birthday or other special day and support Homes for the Brave at the same time. In lieu of gifts, request that guests make donations to Homes for the Brave in your name.

Remember Homes for the Brave in your Estate Plans

Make an enduring contribution to Homes for the Brave by remembering us in your estate plans. With this amazing plan, you will have a lasting impact on the veterans today and in the future.

In-Kind Donations:

Homes for the Brave also accepts a wide range of in-kind donations, including canned goods, clothing, new bedding, and more. Please see our Wish List for all accepted items.

Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes:

For more information on how to support the Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes program, please visit our Support FS:FH page.

More Information:

For more information on any type of donation, please contact Amanda at (203) 338-0669 or info@homesforthebrave.org.

With an emphasis on veterans, we provide the housing and services necessary to help homeless individuals return to a productive and meaningful life.

VISION:

Our vision is to provide a model to enable homeless men, women and their families, especially those who have served our country, to attain safe, affordable housing, meaningful life activity and a livable income so that they may return to a productive and meaningful life.

VALUES:

1. It is essential to serve others with honesty, integrity, empathy, and patience;
2. Every individual deserves to be treated with respect and dignity;
3. By providing a non-judgmental environment and access to a comprehensive array of services, we demonstrate our commitment to putting those we serve first;
4. Hard work and responsibility lead to independence; and
5. Innovation is essential to developing creative solutions that are responsive to the evolving needs of our residents.

“…to care for him who shall have borne the battle
and for his widow and his orphan…”
President Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, 1865

The opening of the Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes program was a historic step toward addressing the issue of homelessness among Veterans in the United States. Speakers included United States Senator Richard Blumenthal; Jarvis Johnson, Veteran Representative for United States Congressman Jim Himes, the State of Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, and City of Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. Janice Boss, Director of VA CT West Haven, and Dr. Laurie Harkness, Director of Errera Community Care Center, discussed ABRI’s partnership with VA CT.  The speakers concluded with thoughts from James Murphy, who is a VA CT Veteran Peer Advisor and former resident of Homes for the Brave and Waldorf House and a blessing by Rev. Dr. Bernard Wilson.

With the persisting commitment of ABRI/Homes for the Brave CEO, Joy Kiss, and the unwavering strength of Kick for Nick President and ABRI Board member, Shalini Madaras, we have been able to open the beautiful facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut. ABRI would like to thank all of the people who came to the ceremony or contributed to the project as a whole. All of the supporters and volunteers have been truly integral in achieving the goal of providing a home for our female Veterans.

Waldorf House is a permanent supportive housing project owned and operated by ABRI, Inc. and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Waldorf House is located in Bridgeport, CT. Residents at Waldorf pay 27% of their gross income for rent, which includes all utilities. Residents are independent and are offered supportive services from a case manager. These services include money management, assistance with daily living skills, transportation assistance, monitoring of their mental health and medical needs, support around recovery from substance use, help with entitlements, and vocational services.

Many residents at Waldorf House are active in activities at Homes for the Brave, and their participation in these activities serves as inspiration to their peers at Homes for the Brave. Some residents come back to speak about how they have been able to move forward during their time at Homes for the Brave and at Waldorf House and to provide encouragement for current residents in our transitional housing program.

Waldorf House consists of three three-bedroom apartments. Each resident at Waldorf has their own bedroom and shares a kitchen, bathroom, and common living space with two other men. The residents have on-site access to a laundry room and several porches and a backyard space with a gas grill and picnic area.

Our Partners

VA New England Health Care System

CT Department of Labor

CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Advocates

Homes for the Brave Supports Kick for Nick Nick Madaras of Wilton, CT joined the army in 2005. During his time overseas, Nick felt a need to bring positive change to lives of the Iraqi children who he saw every day. While home on leave, Nick gathered soccer balls to bring to Iraqi children. Tragically before he could deliver the balls, Nick was killed in action on September 3, 2006 at the age of 19. With a desire to keep Nick's memory and kindness alive, Kick for Nick began. Through the donations of funds and soccer balls, Kick for Nick has sent over 10,000 soccer balls to the children of Iraq and Afghanistan. In April, Nick's mother, Shalini, father, Bill, and brother, Chris, visited Homes for the Brave. In honor of the visit, residents contributed their personal funds to purchase 8 soccer balls and donate them to Kick for Nick. To find out more about the incredible work of the Kick for Nick campaign, visit www.kickfornick.org.

Bridgeport Elks Lodge 36 is a fraternal organization dedicated to the ideals of charity and patriotism. Lodge 36 is especially supportive of veterans and has partnered with Homes for the Brave for many years. In 2008, Lodge 36 received a grant from the national Order of Elks to benefit the Veterans at Homes for the Brave. This grant allows Elks members to purchase, prepare, and serve monthly Sunday dinners at Homes for the Brave. Elks members have also purchased numerous items from the home including flatware, coffee, linens, alarm clocks, and much more. Homes for the Brave greatly appreciates the support of the Bridgeport Elks. Connecticut Veterans Legal Center The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center provides free legal services to Connectitcut’s low-income Veterans and works to educate the public on important issues facing CT Veterans.

Junkluggers is a junk removal company that goes into people’s homes and businesses to remove items that are not wanted any more for a fee. In an effort to keep as much as possible out of landfills and to give to people in need, Junkluggers sorts the items that are received for donating and recycling. Junkluggers has decided to partner with Homes for the Brave and the VA in West Haven. The company plans to supply formerly homeless veterans, who now have shelter, with the furniture and household goods that they need. Junkluggers feels that the cliché "one person's junk is another person's treasure" rings true here, and they are honored to be of service to those who have served. Visit the Junkluggers’ website at www.junkluggers.com

Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness National Coalition for Homeless Veterans CT Patriot Guard

• Supply, prepare, and serve dinner for the residents which allows time to meet and get to know our Veterans.
• Participate in major fundraisers. For the annual golf tournament, this can include gathering prizes, inviting and attracting golfers to the event, or volunteering time on the day of the tournament. Opportunities also exist to create new fundraisers and find innovative methods to raise funds.
• Provide expertise for mentoring residents. Volunteers can expand upon the services that are offered by HFTB and the Case Managers. Throughout the year, opportunities arise for individuals with appropriate skills. This can include teaching classes in life skills, money management, skills training, or other relevant topics which can help residents reach new independence.
• Share your community events with our residents. HFTB constantly works to help residents reinvest in their communities. If you know about a community event that may be beneficial to HFTB residents or that would provide them with opportunities to get involved and give back to our community, please consider inviting them. This can include job fairs, holiday celebrations, and much more.