Bravery knows no gender. Courage is forged in the crucible of service. And the call of duty transcends boundaries. Within those adages exists a group of extraordinary women who have stood shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts, defending our freedoms, protecting our nation, and answering the noble call of service to their country.
These are the unsung heroines, the fearless female veterans, who have not only worn the uniform with pride but have also juggled the immense responsibilities of motherhood aftereffects of trauma and galloped over countless hurdles in war and civilian life. Yet, today, they find their lifeline, their shelter, abruptly severed due to a funding shortfall – a crisis that demands our attention, our compassion, and our unwavering support.
In April 2023, after a crucial Veteran Affairs (VA) loan was denied, the women actively engaged with and residing at Operation Welcome Home, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and services to homeless veterans in Detroit, found themselves thrust back into the very struggles they had sought to escape through their association with the program. Once more, they were confronted with the daunting task of securing safe housing and adequate support.
“The VA will no longer pay for the residents that are here,” said Jacquelin Dukes, operations director of Operation Welcome Home. “We have 30 beds available for adults and the endless amount of beds available for children. The VA’s goal is to end homelessness. I don’t know how realistic that is. They are working a program that’s Housing First, because they tend to believe that if you give everybody a house or permanent shelter, their life will be better. That particular situation will be improved but it doesn’t help the people that are addicts or the people with all kinds of problems going on. They have a lot of financial problems. They have relationship problems and mental illnesses caused by the service.”
Kara Adams, the Case Manager overseeing the facility, expressed the profound challenges they now face in the wake of funding denial and the absence of new grants allocated for female veterans. The prospect of reopening their doors has become an almost overwhelming hurdle. The grant funding played a pivotal role in guaranteeing security and access to safe shelter, essential household items, therapist services, and food. With insufficient resources to cover operational expenses, compounded by the absence of VA funding, the organization faced the painful necessity of relocating the women they had been sheltering. While some of these brave individuals were prepared to transition to the next stage of rehabilitation, others were still in the process of charting their path forward and continuing their journey of recovery.
“I’ve been homeless twice,” said Army veteran Cashia Thomas. “It’s so easy to get in a cycle of with bills, unexpected repairs, and just life. I have four kids and Operation Welcome Home has been there when I needed it most. This has been a safe place for my kids and I and has provided me support and guidance twice. There is no other place like this.”
Operation Welcome Home’s mission extends far beyond offering housing; it serves as a pillar of unwavering support for women veterans facing dire circumstances. Founded by Angela Assure Thompson, a former Army captain, this organization emerged from the pressing need to confront the distinctive challenges experienced by women who have dedicated themselves to serving our nation. Within these walls, it’s not just a shelter; it’s a safe space. The substantial weight in the room attests to the fact that these women need more than just the physical presence of open doors; they need each other.
“This place is really important for me,” Expressed Air Force veteran Chanel Estell. “This place allowed me to do an inventory with myself and figure out who I am and what I wanted to accomplish and actually get the help and work on stuff so that I can do better. This place is more than a shelter. We have built a family and a support system. Something like this has to be available for other women veterans like us who need somewhere to turn.”
In Michigan, a significant number of younger veterans returning from combat zones encounter difficulties in securing employment that offers the same structure and pay as their military service. Although the job market has improved compared to a few years ago, housing remains a pressing concern due to limited inventory and rising rental or purchase costs.
In September 2023, the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) released the highly anticipated “2023 Women Warriors Report.” This comprehensive report sheds light on the unique challenges faced by female veterans after their service, highlighting disparities and offering critical policy and research solutions. The findings are drawn from a combination of qualitative data gathered through nine focus group discussions with women warriors and quantitative data from WWP’s 2022 Annual Warrior Survey.
The report findings show the urgent need for policymakers to provide enhanced support for female veterans who grapple with a distinct set of challenges compared to their male counterparts. The comprehensive study centers on five critical areas, which are access to care, financial wellness, mental health, military transition, and social health.
In terms of “Mental Health,” the report uncovers alarming statistics. Women warriors exhibit higher rates of moderate to severe symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 50.7%, depression at 58.7%, and anxiety at 49.3%, as compared to male warriors. Moreover, the rates of suicidal ideation, at 29.1%, and the prevalence of at least one suicide attempt, at 33.2%, are notably higher among women warriors than their male counterparts.
According to the 2023 WWP report, despite pursuing higher education at higher rates, women warriors face a higher unemployment rate (10%) compared to male warriors (6%). Additionally, a significant 65% of women warriors lacked sufficient funds to make ends meet in the past 12 months. Many felt they lacked adequate support and preparation for their transition to civilian life, and their military careers had varying impacts on their mental and physical readiness for this transition.
For women veterans returning to Michigan, the quest for secure housing coupled with essential support services has grown significantly more challenging. With the closure of Operation Welcome Home, there is now a notable absence of such facilities throughout the state of Michigan. This funding gap has persistently loomed over this crucial support system, even before the unfortunate closure of the doors. Now, the void has expanded, leaving a predominantly Black female veteran population with limited options and exceedingly difficult decisions to make.
Dukes admits that they are uncertain about the specific reasons behind the funding cut. The VA informed them that it was due to the nonprofit not meeting certain VA standards. However, Dukes mentions that it remains unclear precisely where they fell short. Despite their request for a comprehensive breakdown of the evaluation results six months ago, they have made little progress in gaining a clear understanding of the reasons behind the funding denial.
Despite the devastating setback, Operation Welcome Home is determined to continue assisting veterans in whatever way they can. Operation Welcome Home also operates two other properties dedicated to providing shelter for male veterans and their families. With the closure of their primary facility, these veterans, too, will need to seek alternative accommodations.
In the midst of this unfortunate turn of events, Dukes assures everyone that the organization’s commitment to helping veterans remains unwavering. They will continue to explore avenues to support veterans despite the closure of their current facility.
As the community rallies to support Operation Welcome Home and its residents, Michigan Chronicle has reached out to both the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for answers. In the coming days, more clarity may emerge regarding the reasons behind the loss of funding and potential avenues for future assistance.
Addressing the issue of homelessness among women veterans is a critical step toward honoring their service and sacrifices. These brave women deserve specialized support that recognizes and addresses their unique challenges, including the trauma they may have experienced during their military service. By supporting female-centric shelters, offering mental health services, supporting families, and providing opportunities for stable employment, we can work towards reducing homelessness among women veterans and ensuring they receive the care and respect they deserve as they transition back into civilian life.
If you’re interested in contributing to the Operation Welcome Home initiative and would like to learn more about how you can support their efforts, email [email protected].
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