- Our mission
- To establish a support system for female veterans that creates a feeling of community by providing housing for the veteran and their children, aiding in access of services, and finding opportunities for training, education and employment to achieve independence.
- Our vision
- A state where there is no female veteran in need, where no female veteran is homeless or in distress. A state where female veterans are included in the community. Where female veterans are secure, independent and self sufficient, with the dignity, honor and respect they deserve.
- Timeline
- We are now open and accepting women veterans and their children.
- How the Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope is addressing these needs and issues:
- 1. Housing for veterans and their children
- Transitional housing that can house 8 veterans and children. Making sure the kids are safe and going to school and returning to a safe environment.
- 2. Providing an advocate to get them VA benefits if eligible, also getting MaineCare for their children.
- In house advocate for these veterans, getting them medical help, mental help, and dental. Also helping to get them any benefits they are entitled to (i.e., pension).
- 3. Legal aid
- Getting child support owed them
- Help with outstanding warrants and fines
- Restoring a driver’s license
- 4. Health and family services
- An on-site social worker with experience in women’s PTSD and military sexual trauma.
- Accessing childcare
- A garden area the veterans and their children can work in. Experience in the garden can be very healing for the veterans and their children. Food grown will be contributed to the household food supply and everyone will enjoy the experience of planting and watching their vegetables grow.
- 5. Financial and employment skills
- How to apply for a small loan to build credit
- Budgeting and fiscal responsibility
- A van to transport the veterans to Togus (VA hospital) or to the career center to learn new skills and how to get back to work after being in combat or traumatized in another way.
- 6. Teaching life skill classes
- Cooking with fresh ingredients, baking to make money
- Parenting
- Working with an accepting others
- Self-employment skills and avenues
- What to wear on a job interview