Homes for the Brave

09/08/2025

Homes for the Brave will be hosting a charity auction as part of our annual Mini Golf Tournament on October 10th. Proceeds from this event will help us provide Veterans in a housing crisis with shelter, employment support, mental health therapy, and other empowerment services. If you would like to assist in the fight against Veteran homelessness, we are looking for contributions from any and all local businesses, whether they be restaurants breweries, wineries, spas, sports/activity facilities, clothing stores, or any producers of craft goods. No submission is too small and will be recognized by HFTB. To get involved, - contact our Development Associate, Patrick Saley, at psaley@homesforthebrave.org or (203) 338-0669. We thank you for your generosity.

09/05/2025

A heartfelt congratulations to our Office Manager, Julianne Burdo, on her retirement! We are deeply grateful for the many contributions she made during her time at Homes for the Brave. Her dedication and hard work have left a lasting impact, and she will truly be missed. We wish Julianne all the best for a happy, fun, and relaxing retirement!

09/02/2025

Eighty years ago today, a multinational armada numbering more than 300 ships entered into Tokyo Bay for the formal surrender of Imperial Japan. Eleven Japanese delegates led by Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu stepped aboard the USS Missouri, which was named for President Truman's home state, christened by his daughter, and saw action at the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. They were met by General Douglas MacArthur, Admiral Chester Nimitz, General Jonathan Wainwright, and British General Arthur Percival, as well as representatives from all Allied Nations that participated in the Pacific Theater, dozens of reporters, and thousands of sailors. During the ceremony, General MacArthur remarked:

“It is my earnest hope, and indeed the hope of all mankind, that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past, a world founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice.”

Please enjoy this vintage news footage capturing this momentous occasion. We must never forget the service and sacrifice of all those who fought to make this a better world.

SUMMARYShows the signing of the Japanese surrender documents aboard the battleship Missouri in the Bay of Tokyo on Sept. 2, 1945. Includes shots of the destr...

09/01/2025

Today we celebrate the dignity of labor. All workers deserve fairness at their place of employment and the ability to reap the rewards of their endeavors so that they can lead a successful life. Our Vocational Program helps empower Veterans and their family members to secure sustainable employment that allows them to live an independent life, free from the fear of losing their shelter. To learn more, give us a call at (203) 338-0669 or send us an email at info@homesforthebrave.org.

https://homesforthebrave.org/programs/vocational-program/

08/31/2025

A huge thank-you to Sweeney Building, Inc. for upgrading our laundry room with brand-new cabinets! Their team generously donated their time and skills to make this improvement possible, creating a more comfortable space for the Veterans who call Homes for the Brave home. We are so grateful for their support.

08/30/2025

We are deeply grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Bridgeport for their generous donation from the inspiring Field of Valor event. Their steadfast commitment to honoring and supporting our Veterans has made a lasting impact over the years, and we are truly thankful for their continued partnership.

08/29/2025

This month, the Home Depot Foundation made a tremendous impact at our Park Avenue facility, our largest transitional living home for male Veterans. Thanks to a generous grant and a dedicated team of volunteers, we were able to complete major renovations in our recreation, music, and fitness rooms, refresh our first floor, and improve our outdoor spaces—all in just one day. From new flooring and fresh paint to landscaping and furniture assembly, their efforts transformed our facility. We are deeply grateful to the Home Depot Foundation for this extraordinary support of our Veterans.

08/28/2025

The residents of our Madaras House for Women Veterans are thriving in their weekly art classes led by the talented Hernan Garcia. Their creativity shines through in these incredible pieces—take a look at what they’ve created!

08/27/2025

We are excited to welcome LaVonda Manuel as our new Service Center Case Manager!

LaVonda is an Army veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004–2005 and a lifelong Bridgeport resident. With over 10 years of experience supporting her community, she brings a deep commitment to mental health advocacy, community development, and helping those in need.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Human Services from Goodwin University and is currently pursuing her graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Bridgeport. LaVonda’s personal and professional experiences have shaped her dedication to serving others, and we’re thrilled to have her on our team.

You can connect with LaVonda at the Veterans Service Center or by calling 203-275-0600.

08/26/2025

We are deeply grateful to Mr Shower Door, Inc. for their incredible generosity toward Homes for the Brave. When our Madaras Home for Women Veterans needed new shower doors and repairs, President Tom Whitaker immediately stepped in to help.

He sent a skilled team to install and repair the doors—at no cost to us—and their work was outstanding. This thoughtful gift has made a real difference for the Women Veterans we serve.

Thank you, Mr. Shower Door, for your generosity and commitment to our mission. To learn more about their excellent work, visit their website for all your shower needs!

We design, install, and maintain custom shower and tub enclosures with distinguished service. Our elegant, innovative designs include fully-framed and frameless enclosures — all inspired by the latest trends.