Vincent Santilli, CEO/Executive Director of Homes for the Brave, accepts a donation from United Illuminating and Southern Connecticut Gas, presented by Eileen Lopez-Cordone, Community Development Specialist in the organization’s computer lab. (contributed photo)
BRIDGEPORT, CT - Homes for the Brave (HFTB) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from United Illuminating and Southern Connecticut Gas in support of their Veterans Service Center.
The Service Center’s doors opened in 2010 to assist any Veteran experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals receive immediate basic needs assistance and vocational coaching. HFTB makes referrals to housing and other supportive services. A licensed psychologist provides mental health services, including individual and group therapy.
The grant will allow HFTB to expand the services available in the walk-in drop-in Service Center, which is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Offerings include mental health services, life skills workshops, computer classes, vocational training, therapy dog visits, movie showings, and much more. Additionally, Veterans Case Managers for Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, and Congressman Himes are available. The organization is currently in the process of doing a needs assessment to have a comprehensive list of services available in the community for Veterans and to identify potential gaps in which to serve.
“We are so proud of our Veteran’s Service Center. UI’s and SCG’s support is absolutely critical to Homes for the Brave being able to provide this programming to Veterans in this area,” said Vincent Santilli, the organization’s CEO.
UI and SCG are subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), based in Orange, Connecticut.
For nearly 20 years, Homes for the Brave has been dedicated to providing a number of programs and services to men and women experiencing homelessness, almost all of whom are Veterans. HTFB operates two transitional supportive housing programs, including the only home dedicated to female Veterans and their young children in Connecticut, and one permanent supportive housing program. All three programs are located in in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The agency aims to help clients establish the foundation they need to achieve their individual goals. To date, HFTB has served nearly 1,350 individuals.
Eileen Lopez-Cordone, Economic & Community Development Specialist for UI and SCG, said the companies support organizations like Homes for the Brave that contribute to the goal of creating healthy, vibrant communities.
“We recognize the challenges with integrating back to society and are happy to support a well embedded and respected organization like Homes for the Braves that provide outstanding services to the men and women who served our country. AVANGRID is thankful and grateful for their service, and we are proud to able to assist in a meaningful way,” Lopez-Cordone said.
