Homes for the Brave Receives CT Women's Hall of Fame Award

The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame (CWHF, or the Hall) is thrilled to announce the recipient of its 2017 Founding President’s Award: Homes for the Brave.

“We are so impressed with and inspired by the incredible work Homes for the Brave is doing to empower women,” says Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame executive director Kathryn Gloor. “Its Female Solders: Forgotten Heroes program has been instrumental in helping homeless female Veterans get back on their feet and set them up for success in the future.”

Homes for the Brave’s newest program is Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes (FS:FH). It opened in 2011 at the PFC Nicholas A. Madaras Home. FS:FH provides transitional housing for up to 15 women Veterans and their small children. The VA funds 10 beds for women, and the remaining five are available for overflow and for children. The only transitional supportive housing program dedicated to serving homeless female Veterans in Connecticut, FS:FH offers supportive, vocational, and housing services to help women acquire the skills necessary to ensure a healthy transition back into their communities. To date, the program and community at Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes have served over 100 women.

About the Founding President’s Award

Established in 2013 in honor of CWHF founding president Geena Clonan on the anniversary of the Hall’s 20th year of telling women’s stories, the Founding President’s Award recognizes the outstanding work of a Connecticut non-profit that educates and empowers women. The Award embraces the Hall’s ongoing commitment to partnering with community organizations to share Inductees’ stories and provide positive role models for women and girls of all ages.

About Homes for the Brave

Established in 1998, Applied Behavioral Rehabilitation Institute, Inc. (ABRI) d.b.a. Homes for the Brave has a mission to provide housing and services necessary to help homeless individuals, primarily Veterans, return to a productive and meaningful life. This mission drives all of ABRI’s programs, and they have served over 1,100 men, women, and children to date. They focus on providing clients with the tools that they need to obtain and sustain long-term independence. The organiza­tion currently operates four programs, all located in Bridgeport. Homes for the Brave (HFTB), which opened in 2002, is a transitional housing program for men, with thirty-seven of forty-two beds designated for Veterans. The Waldorf Supportive Housing Program, which opened in 2005, provides nine units of permanent housing with case management for formerly homeless men, with priority given to Veterans. The Homes for the Brave Veterans Service Center, which opened in 2010, provides any homeless Veteran with immediate basic needs assistance and referrals to housing, vocational services, and other supportive services.

About the Hall

The mission of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame (CWHF) is to honor publicly the achievements of Connecticut women, preserve their stories, educate the public and inspire the continued achievements of women and girls. Founded in 1994 in Hartford, CWHF is a provider of innovative educational programs and tools that inspire women and girls to believe in their unlimited potential. Our 118 Inductees are role models for women of all ages, and their stories are proof of all that women can accomplish. We leverage these powerful stories and make history relevant through programs for educators, multi-media presentations and traveling exhibits offered free-of-charge. Our work fosters the courage and confidence women need to overcome barriers and advocate on their own behalf. Each year, we show nearly 65,000 people what’s possible and empower them to take an active role in shaping their future. The CWHF website, www.cwhf.org, is a “Virtual Hall” where visitors can explore all that CWHF has to offer. To join CWHF via social media, find and like ctwomen on Facebook and follow @ctwomen on Twitter.

Photo Credit: Allegra Anderson Photography

Photo Caption: Homes for the Brave board of directors chairperson Rose Ogrinc-Krivoshik accepts the Founding President’s Award at the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame 24th Annual Induction Ceremony and Celebration held at the Connecticut Convention Center on November 9, 2017.