CDWV SUSTAINABILITY
The Capital District Women Veterans program is designed to meet the needs of homelessness, poverty and despair in the growing population of women veterans. During her recent years working in clinical areas at the Albany Stratton VA Hospital, Christine Rem, Executive Director of CDWV, has encountered women veterans in this situation on numerous occasions and in growing numbers. While medical treatment is available through the VA Hospital, the underlying problems with lack of affordable housing and job opportunities remain unresolved for most of the women.
Through professional case management and supportive housing, turning around the lives of women veterans in need can be done on an individual basis thus ensuring successful reentry into civilian life with gainful employment and independent living. The key to this success is the model based on veterans supporting other veterans.
During Christine’s many years of exploring supportive housing models, it was clear that once proper housing is available a sustainable operational plan was achievable. CDWV’s operating success will be based on assistance from organizations that support veterans as well as from private sector organizations that support veterans through contributions of goods and services.
The final element of sustainability for CDWV is based on the residents obtaining county and VA assistance benefits for food and housing while working towards gainful employment. CDWV’s case management services assist each woman with opportunities for job training and interviewing skills in order to complete re-entry in the workforce. This will insure the attainment of self-sufficiency goals. Continued residency for up to two years while employed will require reasonable contributions for food and housing while allowing the resident to start building the necessary savings and, most important, the confidence that she can achieve successful and sustainable independent living.
CDWV Christopher House will have a relatively small group of residents but its model will ensure success—one woman veteran at time. With the success of Christopher House, CDWV will be eligible for NYS grant funding to acquire and renovate other residences thereby expanding the program for more women veterans and their families.
CDWV does not provide temporary shelter nor permanent housing. It provides the essential tools to allow each woman to quickly reach her potential with the support of others who have walked in her shoes.
- Many have never registered for benefits with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, or have been denied benefits to which they qualify.
- Most are unemployed or underemployed and lack the skills to identify retraining or educational opportunities.
- All are unable to find affordable housing, especially those with a dependent child.
Through professional case management and supportive housing, turning around the lives of women veterans in need can be done on an individual basis thus ensuring successful reentry into civilian life with gainful employment and independent living. The key to this success is the model based on veterans supporting other veterans.
During Christine’s many years of exploring supportive housing models, it was clear that once proper housing is available a sustainable operational plan was achievable. CDWV’s operating success will be based on assistance from organizations that support veterans as well as from private sector organizations that support veterans through contributions of goods and services.
The final element of sustainability for CDWV is based on the residents obtaining county and VA assistance benefits for food and housing while working towards gainful employment. CDWV’s case management services assist each woman with opportunities for job training and interviewing skills in order to complete re-entry in the workforce. This will insure the attainment of self-sufficiency goals. Continued residency for up to two years while employed will require reasonable contributions for food and housing while allowing the resident to start building the necessary savings and, most important, the confidence that she can achieve successful and sustainable independent living.
CDWV Christopher House will have a relatively small group of residents but its model will ensure success—one woman veteran at time. With the success of Christopher House, CDWV will be eligible for NYS grant funding to acquire and renovate other residences thereby expanding the program for more women veterans and their families.
CDWV does not provide temporary shelter nor permanent housing. It provides the essential tools to allow each woman to quickly reach her potential with the support of others who have walked in her shoes.
