Sister in Arms Center provides housing and help for woman veterans
The Sister in Arms Center (SIAC) is more than a safe haven for women veterans who have found themselves homeless, it is a home where any women veteran can come and simple be with her sisters.
Our home is spacious with a welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of when one visits mom or nana. Eight separate rooms are cozy, have two beds, and vast storage capacity. There’s even a family room for children to play. Our objective is to help our sisters in arms feel safe and secure in their time of need as we assist them in becoming self-sufficient.
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit providing services to the community.
According to a 2021 report by the nonprofit RAND Corp., most assaults in the military go unreported. The result often leads women veterans becoming homeless. According to Veterans Administration (VA) military sexual trauma increases the risk of homelessness by about 400%—that’s staggering and unconscionable percentage. Yet our VA is still not equipped to serve these courageous women who signed up to serve and protect our democracy. That’s where SIAC helps, providing a home and information for needed services for homeless women veterans.
Executive Director:
Rebecca Cornell du Houx, LCSW, First Lieutenant, Maine Army National Guard Medical Unit, Masters of Science in Human Development
Board Members
- President: Aleigh Suffern, former SGT MEARNG, Masters in Human Development
- Vice President: John Crowley, Chief Pilot Ranger, Maine Forest Service, Major Marine Veteran, MEDEVAC Pilot (ret. Gulf War & OIF)
- Treasurer: Charles McGillicuddy, Togus VA Nurse (Ret.), Army Medic (Ret. Vietnam era)
- Secretary: Gayle Cunningham, Occupational Therapist, MaineGeneral Health, Army Veteran
Advisory Board
- Maeghan Maloney, State of Maine District Attorney of Somerset & Kennebec Counties
- State Rep. Colleen Madigan, LCSW, Former State Senator, Waterville area
Sisters in Arms Center (SIAC) was formally known as BARHH – the Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope.