Leftover on the walls of the former Trapp Elementary school in Winchester, Ky., is an acrostic poem – TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More.
That’s exactly what it took to start the transformation of this school into a transitional home for female veterans. Many American Legion Auxiliary units and American Legion posts have joined forces with Lady Veterans Connect, a nonprofit organization that works to end homelessness among women veterans, to make this dream a reality.
In an effort to support this project financially, ALA Kentucky units 193 and 113 applied for Veteran Projects Fund grants from the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation to support different areas of the renovation.
The units were awarded a combined $16,000 to construct showers in an existing bathroom and install security lighting and smoke detectors throughout the building.
Without these improvements, the transitional home would not be able to open its doors to veterans. With showers and a security system in place, the goal is to begin accepting residents by the end of 2019.
“This facility will become home for up to 32 women veterans at a time,” said Phyllis Abbott, founder of Lady Veterans Connect. “Additionally, they will participate in classes in financial planning, preparing a budget, job preparation, résumé writing, practicing interview skills, and more.”
Abbott’s goal is to not only provide female veterans a place to live, but also a place to grow, heal, and become proud and independent women.
“Lady Veterans Connect is proud and honored that the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation has adopted our mission of providing Hope-Homes-Healing for our women veterans,” Abbott said.
“We could not accomplish these goals without the support of the ALA Foundation, not only their financial support, but they are our greatest cheerleaders.”
To apply for a Veteran Projects Fund grant, visit www.ALAFoundation.org/grants, or make a donation to support similar programs for veterans across the country by going to www.ALAFoundation.org/donate.
