Building Homes for the Brave: Justin Rhoades’ Eagle Scout Project

BSA Troop 90 of Greenfield Hill in Fairfield, CT is pleased to announce the latest Scout to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, Justin Rhoades!

Troop 90 has been a chartered Troop of Scouts of America since 1938 and counts over 100 of its Scouts having achieved the rank of Eagle. The Troop is sponsored by Greenfield Hill Congregational Church and is part of the Pomperaug District, Connecticut Yankee Council. Fewer than six percent of Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle, Scouting’s highest rank.

For his Eagle project, Justin contacted Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport, CT. Since opening their doors in 2002, Homes for the Brave has provided housing, vocational training, and life skills coaching to help individuals leave homelessness behind. To date, they have worked with nearly 1,200 men and women, most of whom are veterans.

A great need exists for housing programs and support services like Homes for the Brave. On any given night, 40,000 United States veterans find themselves homeless, and another 1.4 million are at-risk of homelessness due to a lack of affordable housing, financial resources, and support.

Homes for the Brave asked Justin if he could make a pavilion to cover an existing concrete slab in their backyard so the veterans could enjoy being outside even if it was raining or very sunny. Justin, with his dad Jeff's help, designed the pavilion and began fundraising by making calls for donations. Not only did Justin raise enough to cover the cost of materials, he was able to donate an additional $250 to Homes for the Brave.

With the funds in hand, Justin purchased the materials and went to work, organizing the volunteers into teams. Under Justin’s leadership, BSA Troop 90 and the volunteers got the pavilion built. They were very happy with the finished product!

Justin will celebrate his achievement with an Eagle Court of Honor later this year.

About BSA Troop 90

BSA Troop 90, sponsored by Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in Fairfield, Connecticut, is a leadership troop in The Connecticut Yankee Council, Pomperaug District. Troop 90 was founded in 1938. Since 1953, the Troop has produced over 100 Eagle Scouts, with an average of four new Eagle Scouts each year from 2007-2018. Troop 90 can be found on Facebook and the web. For more information please contact Scoutmaster Vince Petrecca.