FCWL has teamed up with HomeFront, a local San Joaquin Valley Veterans and Westcare program, which provides a transitional living facility for needy female veterans and their children here in the Central Valley. Eligibility for the program pertains to homeless single female veterans, including those who have been affected by trauma, substance abuse, dual disorders, PTSD, and/or military sexual trauma. The children of the veterans are also welcome at the facility. The GOAL is to give back to our veterans by helping them achieve and maintain economic self-sufficiency. The facility has eight apartments, and can house up 20 individuals.
Like so many of us who have found ourselves in need of help at one point or another, these women and their families are in need of some of the most basic things that we often take for granted. When they arrive at the facility it takes several months before they are able to find some kind of financial footing making such things as transportation, appropriate clothing for job interviews and starting their educations difficult. The following is a list of practical items that would go a long way in paving their road toward success:
-Bus Passes
-Paul Mitchell/Salon gift certificates for haircuts for interviews
-"Pay As You Go" Cell phones
-Vouchers for Am-Vets Store
-Pepper Spray/Personal Safety Items
-Suits and Other Work Clothes
-Items for Children aged 1-18 years old- clothes, toys, etc.
-Old Computer Monitors, Printers, Hard Drives
We would like to encourage our members to donate any of the above items in support of our Veterans to show our appreciation for their service to our country. The FCWL Board of Directors will be sponsoring the Veterans currently in residence to attend our May Luncheon when Susan Shaw, Director of HomeFront will be speaking in greater detail about the program to provide you with an opportunity to meet these wonderful women. Should you have any further questions about donations or other ways that you can help give back, please contact Jennifer Lawton at (559) 230-2600 or Susan Shaw at (559) 266-1169.
