Today's DAR
WOW! In the midst of a year that could have dampened our spirits, Daughters reached out to lift up our nation’s heroes. Chapters were laser focused on providing a safe harbor for our nation’s homeless women veterans. Special thanks to Vivian Luther Schafer who provided an endowment for homeless and indigent women providing the catalyst for the DAR Vivian’s Outreach to Women (VOW) Award. Three shelters received the 2021VOW award for a total of $100,000. Congratulations to the following winners:
Creating a Home for Homeless Women Veterans
Haven for Heroes, Nicole Burnham Building, sponsor Anoka Chapter, Anoka, Minnesota, will receive $20,000 for rebuilding a kitchen, purchasing appliances, and equipping the kitchen with supplies. Haven for Heroes’ mission is to provide a place of safety and refuge for veterans and their family members who need assistance. The Nicole Burnham Building is a residence cottage that assists 26 women veterans per month and 40 per year. The Anoka Chapter has supported Haven for Heroes for the last several years with proceeds from book sales on a chapter published book on Minnesota Medal of Honor winners. Chapter members and their husbands volunteer at the site for projects such as, building a fire escape stairway. Anoka Chapter joined in with other women’s organizations and furnished paint, furniture, linens and comfort items for these rooms. The new kitchen will enable the women veterans from having to visit the men’s facilities to cook meals. The sponsor, Barb Thurston, Anoka Chapter Chaplain, was so excited when she heard her chapter and organization won: “We are surprised in a very grateful way for the generous award the National DAR bestowed upon Haven for Heroes with the Vivian’s Outreach for Women Award! Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. The money will go a long way in helping with the transition of our women veterans back into society.” Visit here for photos of the Haven for Heroes women’s cottage.
Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania Inc., Project Journey, sponsor Bethel Fife and Drum Chapter, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will receive $40,000 to procure a 1-bedroom and a 2-bedroom unit, providing shelter for three additional female veterans per month through emergency rental apartments and it will augment staff salaries for one year. While this is not a shelter, it does provide emergency shelter by renting apartments. This award will assist them in supporting 75 more women veterans per year (12-18 being homeless women veterans). Sponsor, Jane Elliott, Corresponding Secretary and Co-Chair, Women’s Issues Committee Bethel Fife and Drum Chapter, was thrilled to learn that Project Journey of Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania (VLP) is a recipient of a VOW award: “Since 2013, Project Journey has specifically targeted homeless and at-risk female veterans, offering emergency housing and case management expertise. The VOW award will help ensure that Project Journey continues to connect female vets to the housing, employment, financial, and health services they need to reach their full potential.”
Robin’s Home Inc., sponsor General Richard Butler Chapter, Butler, Pennsylvania, will receive $40,000 toward annual operating expenses and enable the shelter to provide in-house vocational programs to encourage veteran outreach in the community. Robin’s Home assists six to eight women a year in a leased six-bedroom home in Butler, Pennsylvania. Since 2019 they have provided shelter for 13 female veterans, including one with a toddler. The goal is providing confidence and job experience to female veterans returning to the workforce. This shelter is the only shelter that supports homeless women veterans for four counties. Sponsor, Donna Croft, Vice Regent and VAVS representative is so honored and noted: “I am beyond excited with this news! I am so proud of Mary Chitwood, Founder and Executive Director of Robin’s Home, and what she has done for our women Veterans in this area. Our chapter is submitting a “Cut out” of Mary Chitwood in her dress uniform for Continental Congress. I am very thankful for this prestigious award.”
Daughters, as a veteran, I am so honored and proud of the difference we are making in the lives of women veterans. Thank you and Well Done! We are Today’s DAR.
