Homes for the Brave - June Newsletter

June 2016 Edition

I hope this edition of The Perimeter finds all of our readers and supporters well. Our Golf Classic is just days away and we hope to see many of you on July 11 at Racebrook Country Club.

We are building tremendous momentum in many areas. Several of our residents have begun new jobs in June and over 20 of them have signed up to participate in YMCA memberships, which we are able to provide thanks to a generous donation from the Exchange Club of Shelton. This holistic endeavor will make our residents better candidates for jobs and better employees once they are hired.

In addition, we are working closely with our partners from The WorkPlace and have entered into a partnership agreement with our neighbors at The Center for Family Justice.

Finally, we are proud to be featured in the July edition of Connecticut Magazine with a full-page story on Homes for the Brave. Check your mailboxes and newsstands to read about where we started, what we've accomplished, and the exciting places we're headed.

Creating Hope, Building Dreams...

Vincent Santilli

CEO

Homes for the Brave Golf Classic

There's still time to participate in our July 11th Golf Classic, or just join us for dinner!

Golf Classic

$1600 per foursome

Includes BBQ lunch, 18 holes of golf, contests and prizes, player favors, and Lobster Bake dinner

11:00 a.m. - Registration & BBQ Lunch

1:00 p.m. - Shotgun Start

5:30 p.m. - Passed Hors d'oeuvres

6:00 p.m. - Open Bar, Lobster Bake Dinner, Awards, and Auction

Click here to reserve your foursome by Friday, July 8th

New England Lobster Bake

$150 per person

Our non-golfing friends are invited to join us for a traditional New England Lobster Bake following the tournament.

Dinner includes:

Passed Hors d'oeuvres, Steamed Lobster, Clams, Shrimp, Mussels, Corn on the Cob, Red Potatoes, Grilled Chicken, Garden and Caesar Salad, New England Clam Chowder, Cheddar Biscuits, Ice Cream Sundae Bar, and a

2-hour Open Bar.

Click here to reserve your tickets

Salute to Female Soldiers

On June 9, friends and families gathered at the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor to honor our women Veterans. Hosted by Rua Agency and Farmers Insurance, the "Salute to Female Soldiers" open house featured fun for the whole family: trolley rides, face painting, caricatures, music, a classic summer cook-out by Big Kats Catering, and more. Proceeds from the event will benefit our Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes program.

The event's concept was born when Christine Rua, owner of Rua Insurance, began to plan an open house event for her agency. She wanted to accomplish more than simply raising awareness for her business, and decided that her event would benefit Connecticut's Veterans in-need.

"While searching for an organization to support, I was drawn to Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes," said Rua. "Women are the fastest growing group among Veterans who have risked their lives to protect us. The least we can do is support them when there is a need--and they need our help right now."

Joining Rua in her call to action were sponsors Connecticut Trolley Museum, Safelite AutoGlass, ServiceMaster Clean, Olender's Body Shop, Barile's Landscape Construction, and Residential Realty Boutique.

We'd like to thank Christine Rua and everyone who contributed to this event's success for their dedication to helping our female Veterans regain their independence and achieve greater self-determination.

Nielsen Global Impact Day

On June 2, our friends from Nielsen returned to Homes for the Brave to share their expertise and camaraderie. As part of the company's Global Impact Day, Nielsen volunteers conducted a job search workshop and conducted one-on-one mock interviews and resume coaching with our residents.

Following the program, the volunteers served a homemade lunch, followed by a cake to honor a very special resident's birthday. That same resident secured a full-time job in his field of choice just two weeks after the workshop. He said that the hiring manager told him he stood out for doing research and demonstrating his genuine interest in the company's history and culture--best practices that Nielsen's volunteers discussed on Global Impact Day.

Volunteer, Monica Astler was touched to hear about the impact Nielsen made on our residents. " It is so rewarding to cook a meal and partake in the workshop with Veterans. They have made so many sacrifices for us and are so deserving of careers," said Astler. "After leaving, I am always in such a great mood because I can feel the appreciation in the room and I love to socialize with all of the residents during lunch. It makes me take a moment to reflect on what's really important in life. I look forward to volunteering with Homes for the Brave for many years to come."

Thank you, Nielsen, for another successful Global Impact Day!

Eagle Scout Project

On January 19, we met a young man named Zack Brand who was pursuing the Boy Scouts of America's Eagle Scout designation. In honor of his grandfather who was a Vietnam Veteran, he knew that he wanted his Eagle Project to benefit our service men and women, but hadn't yet determined how to make a significant impact.

The project that Zack developed as a result of that first meeting blew us all away.

For months, Zack prepared a Veteran Supply Drive, a community-wide collection of household items that will help our residents establish their homes when they are ready for permanent housing. Zack and his fellow Scouts from Shelton's Boy Scout Troop 25 hosted several collections throughout the month of May. He also enlisted the support of the Shelton Police Department, which provided the community with a daily drop-off location for donations.

Zack wanted his presentation of the baskets to be extra special, so he chose to cook and serve a dinner to our residents. Throughout the collection period, Zack also raised funds to purchase supplies for the dinner by hosting a car wash and bottle & can drive, and solicited local businesses to donate food.

On June 17, Zack, his family, and Troop 25 worked for hours in the Homes for the Brave kitchen and on the grill to prepare a meal to share with the Veterans. Following dinner, the young men presented our residents with 34 move-out baskets, complete with cookware, dining goods, bedding, and more.

"This was a very challenging and involved Eagle Scout project, said Zack. "But, I am very proud of the outcome. I feel like I made such a huge impact in the lives of the veterans. I really enjoyed being able to have dinner with the veterans and hearing the stories that they had to share with me and my Troop."

To Zack & Troop 25: We are so impressed by your dedication to service from an early age. Your work ethic, focus, and enthusiasm will take you far. Thank you for helping our residents return to the independent lifestyles for which they have worked so hard.

Poetry Corner

As we enter the holiday weekend, our house poet, M.M. chose to share the following words with you, our friends and supporters.

More than words can describe

Your courage, your dedication

Your patriotism, your donations

Are appreciated by one and all

Each and every day

We at Homes for the Brave

Salute and Thank you all

For Upholding this

Great nation's pride

--M.M.

Giving Back

Crane Co., an industrial manufacturing company based in Stamford, Conn., made a $20,000 contribution to Homes for the Brave this month through its Crane Fund for Widows & Children. The Fund is one of the company's three philanthropic programs that assists underserved populations in the communities in which it operates. Thank you, Crane Fund for Widows & Children for your support of Homes for the Brave and Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes.

We are pleased to announce that a recent grant award from TD Bank, through the TD Charitable Foundation, will help support the Case Manager position for our Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes program. The Case Manager develops an individualized service plan alongside each woman who enters the program and helps her reach her personal, financial, and housing goals.

Exchange Club of Shelton

It has been a true honor and pleasure to build a partnership with the Exchange Club of Shelton, who made a generous donation to Homes for the Brave at their annual Allocation Distribution meeting on June 1. These funds have already begun to improve our residents' lives, as part of the contribution sponsored house memberships to the Bridgeport YMCA. Over 20 male and female residents have already enrolled and are enjoying the psychological and physical benefits of exercise. Thank you, Exchange Club!

Fairfield Rotary Club: Pancakes for Veterans

Every year, our friends at the Fairfield Rotary Club invite our residents to participate in the town of Fairfield's Memorial Day Parade, and encourage attendees to bring food and other donations to benefit Homes for the Brave. The parade was canceled this year, but Rotary Club wouldn't let a little rain stop them from serving our Veterans. In just two weeks, the group planned and held a "flash fundraiser."

On June 14--with the help and generosity of Chip's Family Restaurant--Rotary hosted "Pancakes for Vets," to raise awareness and funds for Veterans experiencing homelessness. Over 75 people attended and had a great time enjoying Chip's famous pancakes, raffles, and excellent company.

Thank you, Fairfield Rotary Club and Chip's Family Restaurant for your unwavering dedication to our Vets!

Brass City Car Cruise

On June 26, Raymour & Flanigan in Waterbury and the Brass City Cruisers collaborated to host the Homes for the Brave Car Cruise. Enthusiastic attendees enjoyed the sunny afternoon at Raymour & Flanigan, along with more than 40 spectacular cars, classic 50's tunes, food vendors including Texas Road House, raffle prizes, and an awards ceremony for the eight Best in Show cruisers. All funds raised at the event will be donated to Homes for the Brave. Thanks to everyone who coordinated and attended the event!

Legg Mason

We had a great time sharing our story with the Veterans Employee Resource Group at Legg Mason this month. We spoke to the employees in the company's headquarters in Stamford, as well as its members in New York City and Baltimore through simulcast. Following the presentation, the group presented us with a generous donation of items from our wish list. We look forward to continuing and growing our partnership with Legg Mason, a company that is dedicated to supporting and hiring Veterans.