Woman's Club of Danbury/N. Fairfield Supports Homeless Female Veterans

At the February General Meeting of the Woman's Club of Danbury/New Fairfield (WCDNF) the Arts & Culture Committee and the Civic Engagement Committee invited its members to support female U.S. Veterans who are homeless and living at Madaras House in Bridgeport. Madaras House is the only community-based transitional home exclusively for homeless female Veterans and their young children.

WCDNF members purchased art and crafts created by members of the club, including paintings, knitted, crocheted and hand-sewn/machine made garments, hand-made greeting cards and quilts. The Club's Civic Engagement Committee invited members to donate gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Kohls, etc. that the Veterans could use for their personal needs. The proceeds from these programs amounted to $2,002 from purchases of hand-made items and $1,015 from the donated gift cards.

Madaras House, which opened in 2011, provides ten beds for female Veterans and four beds, when available, for their young children. The program addresses the Veteran's need for a safe and secure home and adequate food. It also empowers residents to move forward with their long-term goals: permanent housing, employment and financial security. Each resident works with a Case Manager to develop and acquire their goals. They participate in Vocational and Educational programs that help them in their job search, including writing resumes, interview techniques and computer training.

The members of the Woman's Club are pleased with the success of these fund-raising programs and looks forward to its continued support of the residents of Madaras House in gratitude for their service to the U.S.A.