By Ron Kuzlik
Members of the Knights of Columbus from Rev. John H. Stapleton Council 2287 at St Aloysius Catholic Church in New Canaan honored resident Veterans with a barbeque lunch and reception at the Homes For the Brave in Bridgeport on Columbus Day, October 14.
About a dozen Brother Knights, along with Rev. Fr. Flavian Bejan, also a Knight as well as associate pastor at St Aloysius, prepared, cooked and served hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, chips, snacks and drinks for the Veterans.
“We are supplying and cooking lunch for all the resident Veterans on Columbus Day in the tradition of the Knights of Columbus seeking to serve those in need and as an expression of thanks for their service to our country,” Council 2287 Grand Knight Andy Mank explained.
Homes For the Brave provides housing and services necessary to help homeless individuals return to a productive and meaningful life via immediate basic needs assistance and referrals for emergency and permanent housing, vocational services and training, entitlements, and supportive services.
“Our mission is to prepare these Veterans mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially to become permanently housed,” Homes for the Brave Chief Executive Officer Vincent Santilli said.
“We have a clinical program and a vocational program at our Service Center. All of these things are designed to get Veterans who are currently struggling back on their feet.”
About 40 male Veterans from all services currently reside in the Bridgeport location, along with another 10 female Veterans experiencing similar life challenges in the nearby PFC Nicholas A. Madaras Home for Women Veterans.
Moises Ortega is outreach case manager and a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), as well as a Marine Corps Veteran.
“Our work is about awareness, talking and networking with various local service agencies,” Ortega said.
“We have an inhouse clinical program that is available to residents and always free of charge. There is also a vocation employment program which ensures that Veterans stay connected to a network for jobs matching residents with potential employers.
“Our biggest focus is ensuring that they have a network and safety net once they leave our program.”
Aaron and Bernard are current residents of Homes for the Brave. They both served in Motor T, or Motor Transport in the U.S. Marine Corps. That is, they were responsible for operating and maintaining one of the world’s largest fleets of wheeled vehicles, including Humvees, semi-tractor-trailer rigs, and others.
“We are absolutely grateful for days like today. We have these folks out here helping the Veterans and the community at large,” Aaron said.
“We really appreciate when people such as the Knights come out to show their thanks and appreciation for what we’ve done in the military,” Bernard added.
Grand Knight Andy Mank explained that there are a number of Veterans in their Knights of Columbus council.
“So it was a perfect match to serve and recognize the residents of Homes for the Brave.” Mank said.
He hopes to expand the number of Columbus Day service projects the Council helps organize.
“Next year we would like to complete multiple projects that address nearby needs and have members of the local community participating with us.”
