Guidinglight House, Inc​

A Transitional Living Program For Female Veterans

                                                                        Guidinglight House Assists Female Veterans   Transitioning From The Military To Civilian Life By Providing Safe Housing And Critical Support Services To Help Them Become Self-Sufficient.  Women Are The Fastest Growing Segment Of The Homeless Veteran Population, And There Is A Great Need For Our Services.                       

Consider the following sober statistics:

• While the Department of Veterans Affairs has made progress in its campaign to end veteran homelessness by 2015, the number of homeless female veterans has actually increased, according to the VA
• In 2014, the VA served an estimated 14,847 female veterans who were homeless, formerly homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, according to Stacy Vasquez, deputy director of the department's Homeless Veterans Initiative.
  
• The VA inspector general's recent report on veteran housing found bedrooms and bathrooms without locks, poorly lit hallways and woman housed in facilities approved for men only.
  
• Nearly one third of the 26 facilities reviewed did not have adequate safety precautions.   One facility housed a female veteran and her 18 month-old baby with a registered male sex offender.​​​

Guidinglight House has developed programs and services that incorporate the top priorities expressed by female veterans seeking to achieve independence, find permanent housing, obtain education/training and employment, meet their financial obligations, as well as fulfill their parental responsibilities.

The Department of Labor, Women's Bureau held several listening sessions for veterans, and a common theme was the perception that existing programs and services for veterans favor men.   Participants believed that many seemingly gender-neutral programs failed to ensure equality in the level and types of assistance provided to both men and women.

Veterans indicated a need for sex-segregated, proactive residential centers staffed by qualified individuals who are sensitive to the female veteran culture.   Women, especially those with a history of MST and domestic violence, report feeling more secure and comfortable in a female only environment.  Locating centers in safer residential areas, away from drug dealers and violence, was also important.

Guidinglight House listened to the needs of our veterans and is providing a safe, clean and nurturing environment at it's facility.   We assist female veterans to become empowered and help restore their dignity, self-worth, hope and self-sufficiency.   All veterans have access to legal assistance, employment opportunities, health care and housing, both temporary and permanent.

​Our female veterans deserve a chance to have a successful future, and we invite you to support our efforts to help them achieve this goal.  Learn about their unique stories and find out how you can provide real assistance to keep them from falling through the cracks of a cold bureaucracy.  We support all 5 branches of our government services.

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