Help Us Stand Beside Our Veterans
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Dear Friends,
Last year presented everyone, including Homes for the Brave, with significant
challenges. In spite of all the obstacles, we made adjustments to overcome
them and produced outstanding outcomes for our Veterans.
The Covid-19 pandemic impacted our entire 2021 fiscal year. We never had
the option of closing our doors to regroup or re-energize. Simultaneously, a
renewed struggle for racial justice unfolded nationally. We engaged in a process
of ongoing learning and humility to advance racial equity for the individuals we
serve, our staff, and our community.
Even in a job market that was significantly affected by Covid-19, our Vocational
Program again excelled. A full 82% of Veterans in the program obtained jobs,
enabling them to save money and move closer to independence.
Under the leadership of Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Stephanie Lynam and Clinical
Director, Sarah McDonald, our clinical team rose above numerous challenges.
Case managers found ways to provide services despite the growing demand
for mental health treatment due to anxiety, isolation, and stress caused by the
pandemic. Many mental health resources in the community were only available
via telehealth, which is not a good fit for many of our residents. We modified
our approaches to include both in-person and telehealth appointments to
best meet the needs of our Veterans in overcoming addiction, PTSD and other
mental health concerns.
We were thrilled to reopen our Homes for the Brave Veterans Service Center on
June 1, 2021. All interested Veterans, including those currently in our residential
programs, alumni, and others, can be enriched by our computer classes, job
prep workshops, life skills seminars, and other HFTB Veterans Service Center
programming.
We will mark the tenth anniversary of the opening of our PFC Nicholas A.
Madaras Home for Female Veterans. We are proud to be the first and still the
only program in Connecticut exclusively for female Veterans experiencing
homelessness and their young children.
We look to the future and will continue to consider the changing demographics
of the Veterans that we serve. We are working on the installation of an elevator
in our 114-year-old headquarters and men’s transitional residence on Park
Avenue in Bridgeport and an expansion of the building to improve conditions
for the men we serve. We are so proud of the resilience of our residents and the
dedication of our staff. We are grateful for our remarkable Board of Directors
and by our loyal donors’ support.
We hope you enjoy this Community Report. Please continue to walk with us
so Veterans who answered the call are housed, fed, clothed, employed, and
supported.