Veterans Day and Beyond: Helping Those Who Have Defended Us

By ARIANA RAWLS FINE

November 11 is one day during the year set aside to recognize and thank our U.S. Armed Forces veterans. But what about all the other days of the year? Veterans face challenges when they return to civilian life, many for years or a lifetime afterward. How do we, especially here in Connecticut, help those who have helped us? How do we as a community step up to augment the efforts of the U.S. Veterans Administration and government programs as well as the local and state chapters of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legions and other national organizations? There are multiple local organizations making a difference by lending physical, emotional and mental support. Whether we donate money, our vehicles, our time or our skills, there are ways we can help these organizations doing such great work in our state for those who have defended our country.

Building Entrepreneurship Skills and Businesses

The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans program (ccei.uconn.edu/ebv), or EBV, offers experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans and military spouses. “EBV not only gives the veterans a purpose; it can save their lives. Oftentimes, they get out of the service, and they are just out there. Their comradery is gone, and they need a sense of purpose. EBV gives them something to do for the duration of the program, as well as support for the preliminary or continuing stages of their business,” states EBV’s program manager, Nicholas Martinelli, MBA, M.Ed. (U.S. Army Ret.).

The University of Connecticut’s School of Business (UConn), in partnership with Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, has been offering it since 2010, graduating 270 veterans and military spouses. Founded at Syracuse University in 2007, the program can be found in other universities, including Texas A&M, UCLA, Louisiana State University, Saint Joseph’s University, Wright State University and the University of Missouri. The goal is to provide practical training, tools and skills to veterans to foster new idea creation and growth, and support turning the ideas into businesses and/or products. In addition, the UConn program coordinates faculty, students, alumni and others to help veterans with the physical, psychological and/or social challenges they may face. A future goal is to expand to provide the veteran entrepreneurship program to those retiring from long-term military service.

The program is broken down into three phases: a 30-day online curriculum about business fundamentals and research; a nine-day residency with UConn faculty and guest business executive lecturers teaching workshops and courses, and a business showcase and awards ceremony; and a national component managed by Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families providing technical assistance, access to a mentor and resource network, marketing assistance, and more. For the UConn program, there are also three grants giving thousands of dollars to several winning ideas from the program participants.

Work Vessels for Veterans (WVFV) offers adaptive and other vital equipment and services to injured veterans as they launch small businesses, farming endeavors or new careers. “Our mission since 2008 is to award equipment to America’s injured veterans who want to start a business,” says Hon. Catherine W. Cook, WVFV’s executive director and a former state senator. “Frankly, we have found no other nonprofit that is solely dedicated to outfitting veterans for self-employment. In 16 years, WVFV has awarded over 3,900 injured veterans in all 50 states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands with equipment valued at $4 million for their start-up businesses.”

The Connecticut-based national organization (workvesselsforveterans.org) has helped launch over 725 new businesses. One recent recipient was Uncasville’s USMC Sgt. Christopher D. Connelly, who was awarded specialized equipment for his new CMB Circuits LLC business to offer circuit board manufacturing and repairs to government agencies and corporations.

Growing Interest for Farmer Veterans

There is a local program that helps veterans and others plant the seeds of their farming dream. Connecticut Veteran Grown (ctveterangrown.org), a 3-year program offering veterans assistance with marketing and other resources, is funded through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration and administered by Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc. (CT RC&D). The latter, an environmental and agricultural program nonprofit founded in 1968, worked with Connecticut Farmer Veteran Coalition to establish the CT Veteran Farmer Resource Hub, job training, and other networking and financial assistance to help veterans seeking an agricultural career as they transition to civilian life.

“When we say, ‘Served then, still serving now,’ we’re talking about those Connecticut farmer veterans who show up every day to address our state’s growing need for locally sourced, sustainable agriculture,” says Sarah Layton, the agricultural programs coordinator for CT RC&D (ctrcd.org), which is based out of Haddam. “Their unique skill set, discipline and resilience make them well-suited for the challenges of farming, especially in a state that has seen an increase in periods of drought, flooding events and other intense storms due to our changing climate. The CT Veteran Grown initiative…was established to promote the Homegrown by Heroes brand as well as provide invaluable resources and direct assistance to boost the success of Connecticut’s farmer veterans.”

One of the 2024 awardees for the Agricultural Enhancement Grant, a matching grant program in Connecticut for agricultural projects, is the Farmer Veteran Coalition. It will enable the organization to hold individual consultations with prospective veterans interested in agricultural endeavors, and current farmer veterans hoping to expand operations, services and/or goods. In addition, it helps with registering a farm business, obtaining permits and grant writing. The grant is funded through the State of Connecticut Agricultural Viability Grant Program.

Going to the Animals

Well-trained animals offer emotional and physical healing and help for people needing a wide spectrum of support, including veterans dealing with the psychological repercussions of PTSD and service-related traumas as well as physical injuries.

Understanding that pets offer veterans daily purpose, optimism and more, Pets for Patriots, Inc. (petsforpatriots.org) supports military veterans and their companion pets. They can offer help with affordable pet wellness care, food, moving or travelling with pets, training, adopting out a pet, and much more. They also provide resources for service and emotional support animals, as well as organizing foster care if military members are deploying or veterans are in a hardship situation. The organization works with various Animal Welfare Society shelters throughout the state for adoptions.

Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services (vetsct.org), or V.E.T.S., enables veterans to experience therapeutic healing with horse-related activities with the nonprofit’s skilled instructors and trained volunteers in Gales Ferry.

“As the executive director of Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the bond between veterans and our horses goes far beyond traditional therapy,” says Thor Torgersen, VETS CT’s co-founder, board president and lead instructor. “There’s a quiet wisdom in the horses’ presence—a way they teach us life lessons that no other form of therapy can replicate. Whether it’s through the meditative practice of archery, the grounding experience of outdoor skills, or the sense of community found in sharing a meal, each of these elements helps veterans reconnect with themselves and discover a better path forward. Our mission is not just to heal, but to guide veterans toward a deeper understanding of themselves, offering them the tools to lead a more meaningful life.”

Therapy dogs can provide so much support to veterans. The Norwich-based Veterans Helping Veterans (vhvct.org) is one such organization. In addition to donations, the nonprofit has a summer golf tournament and other events to raise funds to bring the canines to those who need them.

Donating for a Good Cause

When community members donate a car, truck, boat, camper or motorcycle to Vehicles For Veterans (vehiclesforveterans.org/connecticut), the tax-deductible vehicle donation funds everyday housing, transportation and food needs for disabled veterans and other veteran programs. The nonprofit tows from anywhere in Connecticut for free. The vehicle is recycled, reused to build new vehicles or auctioned off.

Donations of household items, tools, clothes and other small things through Vietnam Veterans of America’s (VVA) Pickup Please service (pickupplease.org/connecticut) permits the organization to collect and sell items to provide assistance to veterans. In addition, with events such as Chapter 120 of Greater Connecticut’s annual Stand Down, which happens in Rocky Hill, VVA shares free services and information from federal and state agencies and businesses. The community also contributes, volunteering time or services, such as beauty school hairdressers giving haircuts or nursing students checking blood pressure. Connecticut food banks offer additional food items while other volunteers collect winter wear for those in need. There are three others in the state: Chapter 251 in Milford, Chapter 270 in Niantic and Chapter 484 in East Haven.

Drawing Them Out: Utilizing Art to Combat Trauma

On a state level, Mental Health Connecticut offers the Art of Wellbeing for Veterans and Their Families in partnership with Homes for the Brave (homesforthebrave.org) in Bridgeport. The grant-funded project includes several 8-week, trauma-informed workshops for veterans and their families (for ages 16 and over) utilizing drawing, writing, movement, drumming and other creative expression ways to explore using art as a healing tool. It is funded in part by Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, a National Endowment and U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs initiative.

Providing Legal Aid When Needed

When low-income veterans are faced with legal issues for which they need representation, Connecticut Veterans Legal Center’s (CVLC) Pro Bono Attorney Network (ctveteranslegal.org/probono) can step up to offer free legal help, information and referrals to those dealing with homelessness, mental health issues and substance abuse recovery. The attorneys have donated their time in hundreds of legal cases as part of a medical-legal partnership model with Veterans Administration Hospitals (VA) and other providers.

“While there are a lot of wonderful state and federal programs and protections for veterans in Connecticut, sometimes you need an advocate to get the benefits you’ve earned,” says CVLC’s executive director, Alison Weir, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. (retired). “Helping veterans get compensation for their injuries, avoid eviction or connect to VA healthcare is life-changing work, not just for our clients, but for our entire team. Some of our clients have gone from living in their cars to having a steady income and a host of supportive services, greatly improving their standard of living.”

Lending a Helping Hand

Wounded veterans returning to civilian life can face issues navigating their homes with their new physical challenges. Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a national organization that has built nearly 400 homes with several initiatives in Connecticut (hfotusa.org/building-homes/veteran-home-building-projects/ct). The nonprofit donates and builds custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans, specially adapted to their individual needs and injuries with more than three dozen accessibility adaptations available. The home of one Connecticut-based veteran, Marine Corporal Roger Rua, was finished in the beginning of 2023. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and spine, femur and sternum fractures from a detonated improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. The home adaptations he received enable him to carry his two children, safely maneuver independently, and avoid fall risks posed by stairs and thresholds.

Based out of Glastonbury, American Warrior (americanwarrior.org) has worked with thousands of veterans since 2007 with financial assistance, healthcare, support services, home maintenance, wheelchair and medical equipment, and educational and skills opportunities. The impetus to start the nonprofit was catapulted by founder Christopher Coutu when he didn’t see World War II veterans visiting the World War II Memorial. That drive to help them see the site while they were still alive motivated him to start American Warrior. The organization hosts activities and honoring events for armed service and National Guard members and veterans. In partnership with companies and other organizations, American Warrior sponsors veteran families during the holidays, including active-duty military personnel and veterans. Individuals and families can also sponsor a veteran (americanwarrior.org/event/seasonal-holiday-military-family-sponsorship).

Located in Bristol, Veterans Strong Community Center (vetstronginc.org) assists veterans, active-duty members and their families with resources. For certain towns, the Veterans Logistics Fund is available for fuel payment assistance. One of its initiatives, the annual Holiday Happenings Secret Santa, enables community members to “adopt” more than a hundred veterans and families with “hero bags.” For Valentines Day, the nonprofit has given out more than 1,000 this year. Veterans Strong Community Center also partners Connecticut Department of Labor to encourage veteran employment.

Community Renewal Team, Inc. (crtct.org), a designated Community Action Agency for Middlesex and Hartford Counties, is a nonprofit provider of human services in Connecticut. One of their programs, Veterans Crossing, is a transitional housing facility in East Hartford where homeless male veterans get support with work, life skills and housing. In addition, they have housing support services for veterans and their families.

With over 15 chapters in Connecticut, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) aids veterans and their families navigate the disability benefits they are entitled to, whether it is related to health care, disability, employment, education or other things. Nationwide in 2023 alone, DAV (dav.org) represented veterans, helping them access over $28 billion in benefits.

Organizations such as Goodwill work with veterans within the community, including Goodwill of Western & Northern Connecticut, which helped coordinate housing, occupational training, employment searching and more for over 35 veterans in Fairfield County who were on the verge of being homeless in 2023. The effort was because of the 3-year grant Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program.

While the national organization celebrates its 25th anniversary in January 2025, the Hamden-based Connecticut chapter (HOHCT) of House of Heroes (hohct.org) was launched in 2012. It works with disabled, fixed-income, or physically or financially challenged veterans who own and occupy their own home but who need assistance with home repairs. The public can help by making tax-deductible donations; for instance, a $100 donation will help purchase a sink, while $150 can buy a window. Minor repairs and other home improvement projects are performed by volunteers with all levels of skills and licensed craftsmen. Companies and organizations can work with HOHCT, like CareFree HomePros with its donation of a handicapped bathroom to help a veteran’s spouse. In the fall of 2023, Sikorsky volunteers also gave their time and skills to repair two veterans’ homes. HOHCT’s goal is work on 50 home projects each year in the state.

Continuing to Honor Veterans Throughout the Year

“It is not just November 11; it’s all year round,” says Martinelli about the UConn EBV program. “If anyone wants to get involved, serve as mentors or presenters, collaborate in our network to help later on, or more, please reach out. It is important to understand that it shows veterans in a bad spot that there is hope. It will allow them to pursue their dreams, and it is free. It is life-changing and lifesaving.”

“Serving veterans is a passion of dedication for those who have served our country sacrificially. We can think of no greater honor than helping a deserving veteran stay safely in their own home!” says Carol May, executive director of House of Heroes CT.

Whether helping with one of these organizations or others found in Connecticut, giving back enables us to serve those who have served for us. To our veterans and active-duty members, thank you for your service.