On Friday, October 21, 2011 at approximately 11:00 AM, Shalini and Bill Madaras cut the ribbon across the front door of the PFC Nicholas A. Madaras Home. This crisp autumn day was the perfect beginning for the first community-based transitional home dedicated to homeless female Veterans and their children less than five years of age in Connecticut. From the welcoming remarks by ABRI’s Chairman Michael LaVelle to the elegant singing of “God Bless America” by Bridgeport’s own SGM Caterina Veronesi joined by the hundreds in the crowd, the event was one to remember.
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.
