Homes for the Brave

$100

Raised

Donors

Summary
Overview
Programs
Management
Governance
Financials
More Details

Mission

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

Needs Statement

Support for clinical programs that assist Veterans with housing, employment, and mental health needs. Affordable housing for Veterans with limited income. Employers and landlords willing to work with Veterans who have struggled to maintain housing in the past.

Impact Statement

Over the past twenty one years, Homes for the Brave has served almost 1600 individuals experiencing homelessness. In the last program year (fiscal year 2022), we served 190 individuals in housing, vocational, and clinical treatment programs.

CEO statement

Board Chair Statement

Areas Served
Greater New Haven
Other (please describe using the Areas Served narrative fields)

Areas Served Narrative

A majority of the individuals served by Homes for the Brave live in either New Haven or Fairfield Counties. However, our services are open to any Veteran experiencing housing insecurity and their family members across all of CT.

Our first program, Homes for the Brave (HFTB) began accepting its first residents in July 2002. The 42-bed program opened with funds secured from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Connecticut Department of Social Services, and private donors. HFTB operates one of the largest transitional housing programs in Connecticut for Veterans. HFTB designates 37 of these beds for men who are Veterans experiencing homelessness. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DHMAS) supports the remaining 5 beds for men struggling with homelessness. All residents work with staff to find safe, permanent housing, increase their income, and improve their quality of life.
Example of Program Success	Homes for the Brave aims to place individuals into permanent housing, help them increase their income, and assist them in working toward their self-determination goals.

Our first program, Homes for the Brave (HFTB) began accepting its first residents in July 2002. The 42-bed program opened with funds secured from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Connecticut Department of Social Services, and private donors. HFTB operates one of the largest transitional housing programs in Connecticut for Veterans. HFTB designates 37 of these beds for men who are Veterans experiencing homelessness. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DHMAS) supports the remaining 5 beds for men struggling with homelessness. All residents work with staff to find safe, permanent housing, increase their income, and improve their quality of life.

Example of Program Success

Homes for the Brave aims to place individuals into permanent housing, help them increase their income, and assist them in working toward their self-determination goals.

HFTB Training for Success Vocational and Educational Program

We have found that with improved access to educational and vocational opportunities, the Veterans we serve are better able to secure and retain employment that will enable them to support themselves and their families, with less risk of returning to homelessness. This is the driving focus behind our HFTB Training for Success Vocational and Educational Program. Participants in the program gain assistance in resume writing, interview preparation, searching for jobs, connecting to education and job benefits, and learning about other means of enhancing their financial resources. The participants also take part in a computer skills training course, and the program provides assistance to Veterans looking to gain additional education and training. Once an individual has secured employment, they continue to receive support to ensure retention and to provide any additional support the individual may require or request.
Example of Program Success	Madaras House aims to place women Veterans and their children into permanent housing, help them increase their income, and assist them in working toward their self-determination goals.

We have found that with improved access to educational and vocational opportunities, the Veterans we serve are better able to secure and retain employment that will enable them to support themselves and their families, with less risk of returning to homelessness. This is the driving focus behind our HFTB Training for Success Vocational and Educational Program. Participants in the program gain assistance in resume writing, interview preparation, searching for jobs, connecting to education and job benefits, and learning about other means of enhancing their financial resources. The participants also take part in a computer skills training course, and the program provides assistance to Veterans looking to gain additional education and training. Once an individual has secured employment, they continue to receive support to ensure retention and to provide any additional support the individual may require or request.

Example of Program Success

Madaras House aims to place women Veterans and their children into permanent housing, help them increase their income, and assist them in working toward their self-determination goals.

Waldorf House Supportive Housing Program

HFTB opened the Waldorf Supportive Housing Program in July 2005. This Program provides permanent supportive housing to individuals experiencing homelessness who have a disability and who can benefit from case management services to help them live independently. The three-story house provides nine units of permanent housing for individuals. Residents have their own bedroom and share a kitchen, bathroom, and common living space with two others. Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) support this program, and clients pay a subsidized rent of 27% of their gross income.
Example of Program Success	The Training for Success Program has partnered with local colleges and training programs to enroll Veterans into career-oriented educational opportunities and has placed Veterans into a wide range of employment.

HFTB opened the Waldorf Supportive Housing Program in July 2005. This Program provides permanent supportive housing to individuals experiencing homelessness who have a disability and who can benefit from case management services to help them live independently. The three-story house provides nine units of permanent housing for individuals. Residents have their own bedroom and share a kitchen, bathroom, and common living space with two others. Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) support this program, and clients pay a subsidized rent of 27% of their gross income.

Example of Program Success

The Training for Success Program has partnered with local colleges and training programs to enroll Veterans into career-oriented educational opportunities and has placed Veterans into a wide range of employment.

Tony Cinquanta Veterans Service Center

In 2010, HFTB began looking beyond their doors for ways to serve the Veteran community. The Veterans Service Center opened to provide immediate basic needs and referrals to community services. Any Veteran can walk or drop in to the Service Center if s/he is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Over the years, the Service Center has expanded with a wide variety of programming. Offerings include life skills training, computer classes, opportunities to interface with representatives from federal legislative offices, art therapy, AA meetings, walking groups, and time spent with therapy dogs. All are available without making an appointment. Renamed The Tony Cinquanta Veterans Service Center in 2020, it honors the service and dedication of the long-serving Veteran and HFTB Board Member. The Service Center also provide intensive follow-up case management services to Veterans recently discharged from housing programs and those at risk of homelessness through a grant from the VA Grant and Per Diem Program awarded in 2019.
Example of Program Success	Waldorf House aims to provide permanent housing to individuals who have experienced homelessness, increasing their housing stability. The program also aims to assist clients with their income and self-determination goals.

In 2010, HFTB began looking beyond their doors for ways to serve the Veteran community. The Veterans Service Center opened to provide immediate basic needs and referrals to community services. Any Veteran can walk or drop in to the Service Center if s/he is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Over the years, the Service Center has expanded with a wide variety of programming. Offerings include life skills training, computer classes, opportunities to interface with representatives from federal legislative offices, art therapy, AA meetings, walking groups, and time spent with therapy dogs. All are available without making an appointment. Renamed The Tony Cinquanta Veterans Service Center in 2020, it honors the service and dedication of the long-serving Veteran and HFTB Board Member. The Service Center also provide intensive follow-up case management services to Veterans recently discharged from housing programs and those at risk of homelessness through a grant from the VA Grant and Per Diem Program awarded in 2019.

Example of Program Success

Waldorf House aims to provide permanent housing to individuals who have experienced homelessness, increasing their housing stability. The program also aims to assist clients with their income and self-determination goals.

Homes for the Brave West Haven

Homes for the Brave - West Haven (HFTB-WH) is a new 14-bed program, opened in the spring of 2022, will continues to expand the mission of the original Homes for the Brave Program. All residents receive housing and case management and have access to the agency’s other programs, including mental health and substance use services, vocational services, and more. Unlike at our Bridgeport facilities, all residents at HFTB-WH reside in individual rooms, which allows us to better serve some Veterans with mental and medical health challenges. HFTB-WH’s proximity to the West Haven Veterans Affairs facility also will help residents with greater need for VA resources more easily access services.
Example of Program Success	The Veterans Service Center regularly assists Veterans who have recently moved into permanent housing. The program also assists Veterans with VA benefits applications and helps them access other resources in the community that will support their goals.

Homes for the Brave - West Haven (HFTB-WH) is a new 14-bed program, opened in the spring of 2022, will continues to expand the mission of the original Homes for the Brave Program. All residents receive housing and case management and have access to the agency’s other programs, including mental health and substance use services, vocational services, and more. Unlike at our Bridgeport facilities, all residents at HFTB-WH reside in individual rooms, which allows us to better serve some Veterans with mental and medical health challenges. HFTB-WH’s proximity to the West Haven Veterans Affairs facility also will help residents with greater need for VA resources more easily access services.

Example of Program Success

The Veterans Service Center regularly assists Veterans who have recently moved into permanent housing. The program also assists Veterans with VA benefits applications and helps them access other resources in the community that will support their goals.

Homes for the Brave Clinical Treatment Program

Many of the Veterans we serve in our programs are not able to access mental health and substance use services that fully meet their needs. Some are ineligible for clinical mental health and addiction services at the local VA Hospital; others find it difficult to travel to VA medical campuses in Connecticut on a regular basis. To address these gaps in services, the Homes for the Brave Clinical Treatment Program launched in January 2019. Clinical programming has includes access to recovery-oriented therapy and has been especially important for providing support to Veterans who have needed more support than they can receive from telehealth services they have access to elsewhere during the Covid-19 pandemic. Services have been offered on site and via telehealth since 2020. The program provides high-quality care to Veterans with mental health and substance use disorders in the local Bridgeport community. This program is currently expanding to include a wellness component, including yoga classes, and hired an additional clinician in 2022 to expand services. The program now includes support for Veterans' families as well as the Veterans themselves.
Example of Program Success	HFTB West Haven aims to place individuals into permanent housing, help them increase their income, and assist them in working toward their self-determination goals.

Many of the Veterans we serve in our programs are not able to access mental health and substance use services that fully meet their needs. Some are ineligible for clinical mental health and addiction services at the local VA Hospital; others find it difficult to travel to VA medical campuses in Connecticut on a regular basis. To address these gaps in services, the Homes for the Brave Clinical Treatment Program launched in January 2019. Clinical programming has includes access to recovery-oriented therapy and has been especially important for providing support to Veterans who have needed more support than they can receive from telehealth services they have access to elsewhere during the Covid-19 pandemic. Services have been offered on site and via telehealth since 2020. The program provides high-quality care to Veterans with mental health and substance use disorders in the local Bridgeport community. This program is currently expanding to include a wellness component, including yoga classes, and hired an additional clinician in 2022 to expand services. The program now includes support for Veterans' families as well as the Veterans themselves.

Example of Program Success

HFTB West Haven aims to place individuals into permanent housing, help them increase their income, and assist them in working toward their self-determination goals.

--
Example of Program Success	The HFTB Clinical Treatment Program makes mental health and substance use treatment and wellness services available to Veterans and their families in the Bridgeport area.

CEO/Executive Director

CEO First Name	CEO Last Name	CEO Email
Vincent	Santilli	vsantilli@homesforthebrave.org

Staff Information

Number of Full-Time Staff	21
Number of Part-Time Staff	18
Number of Volunteers	200
Number of Contract Staff	0

Staff Demographics - Race

Middle Eastern or North African
American Indian or Alaskan Native	0
Asian	0
Black or African American	18
Mixed	0
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander	0
White	25
Other	1
Choose Not to Answer	0

Staff Demographics - Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino/a/x	7
Not Hispanic or Latino/a/x	37
Choose Not to Answer	0

Staff Demographics - Gender Identity

Male	21
Female	23
I am: (Fill In Below)	N/A
Choose Not to Answer	0

Board Chair Information

Board Chair First Name	Board Chair Last Name	Board Chair Email Address	Board Chair Term Start Date	Board Chair Term End Date
Johnny	Vazzano	vazzys@aol.com	July 1, 2023	June 30, 2025

List of Board Members

Board Member First Name	Board Member Last Name	Board Member Affiliation
Paul	Mayer	Schegg Group
Randall	Abrams	retired
Anna	DiDominico	Connecticut Community Bank
Robert	Kozlowsky	Shelton Police Department
Vinny	Bartoli	Turner Construction
Howard	Fero	Albertus Magnus College
Marcia	Hunt	Rush University Medical College, Yale University
Cathy	Kohut	Lawyer, private practice
Chris	Kowalczik	Indeed
Robert	Licata	Prudential ISG Global Technology
Al	Paolozzi	M&T Bank
Dwayne	Smith	Housatonic Community College
Juliet	Taylor	Connecticut Veterans Legal Center
Donald	St Louis	CT Renaissance

Current List of Board Members as of	July 1, 2023

Board Demographics - Race

Middle Eastern or North African
American Indian or Alaskan Native	0
Asian	0
Black or African American	2
Mixed	0
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander	0
Other	0
White	13
Choose Not to Answer	0

Board Demographics - Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino/a/x	1
Not Hispanic or Latino/a/x	14
Choose Not to Answer	0

Board Demographics - Gender Identity

Male	11
Female	4
I am: (Fill In Below)	N/A
Choose Not to Answer	0

Additional Comments

Additional Comments (Optional)	A majority of the Board of Directors members are Veterans. We aim for diversity for not only ethnic/racial/gender/cultural representation, but also Veteran status, disability, and lived experience of homelessness.

Annual Operating Budget

Fiscal Year Start Date	Fiscal Year End Date	Projected Revenue	Projected Expenses
July 1, 2023	June 30, 2024	$3,521,469	$3,634,079

Previous Fiscal Year Revenue and Expenses

Fiscal Year	2022	2021	2020
Total Revenue	$2,734,934	$2,140,238	$2,165,391
Total Expenses	$2,635,160	$2,222,864	$2,198,104

990 Tax Form

2023 990 Tax Form
2021 990 Tax Form	Download
2022 990 Tax Form	Download
2024 990 Tax Form

Financials

Financial Statements
Financial Statements	Download
Financial Documentation Year	2022
Financial Documentation Type	Audited Financial Statements
Financial Statements	Download
Financial Documentation Year	2021
Financial Documentation Type	Audited Financial Statements
Financial Documentation Year
Financial Documentation Type

CEO statement (optional)

General Info

Federal EIN Number	06-1520511
Organization's type of tax exempt status	501(c)(3)
Website	https://www.homesforthebrave.org
Facebook	https://www.facebook.com/homesforthebravect
Twitter	https://twitter.com/ABRI_HFTB

Our Story

Opening its doors in 2002, Homes for the Brave is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe housing, nutrition, case management, clinical services, vocational services, and life skills coaching to Veterans experiencing homelessness. Recently, services have been expanded to include two homes in West Haven, CT for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

Homes for the Brave, a transitional housing program for homeless men, primarily Veterans

Homes for the Brave – West Haven, a transitional housing program, consisting of two houses, for male Veterans experiencing homelessness

Madaras House, the Tri-State area’s only transitional housing program exclusively for female Veterans and their young children

Waldorf House, a permanent supportive housing program for formerly homeless individuals

Veterans Service Center, basic needs assistance and comprehensive programming for any Veteran or Veteran’s family member who is homeless or at risk of homelessness

Training for Success Vocational and Educational Program, assists Veterans with resume writing, interview preparation, job search, and connecting them to education and benefits

Homes for the Brave Clinical Program, open to residents and visiting Veterans who are either ineligible for clinical services through the VA or find it difficult to travel to the VA medical campuses in Connecticut on a regular basis

The mission of Homes for the Brave (HFTB) is, with an emphasis on Veterans, to provide the housing and services necessary for individuals experiencing homelessness to return to a productive and meaningful life. HFTB has served over 1,500 individuals while engaging with hundreds of volunteers and local organizations to craft an ever-expanding network of support. We strive to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for the community by providing innovative, comprehensive, and compassionate programs that demonstrate our dedication to our Veterans.

Contact

Homes for the Brave

655 Park Ave
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604

Mary Elizabeth Allbert
meallbert@homesforthebrave.org
Phone: 203-338-0669
https://www.homesforthebrave.org/