Members, along with friends and family, of The Connecticut/Western Massachusetts Chapter of SIOR recently held a Habitat for Humanity work party to frame a new home being constructed in Bridgeport. This is the first home being constructed under Habitat for Humanity's new veterans program, "Habitat for Heroes". The program benefits veterans returning from active duty. This Bridgeport home is being constructed for Staff Sergeant Juliette Taylor, a decorated soldier who served an 18 month tour in Iraq and 2 humanitarian tours in Afghanistan with the Army. Once completed, this will be the first time Juliette's entire family, which includes two sons, a daughter, and grandson, will be living in one home together.
Juliette is employed at the West Haven VA ERREA Center as a Vocational Specialist assisting veterans with securing and maintaining employment and as a veteran advocate. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Female Soldiers, Forgotten Heroes, a transitional home for female veterans located in Bridgeport.
The chapter was also delighted to sponsor a charity concert at the Fairfield Theater Company directly benefiting Habitat for Heroes and Sergeant Juliette Taylor. A fun evening of entertainment, which included a silent auction, music by Roomful of Blues, wine and appetizers, was enjoyed by all. Sponsors included Auto Collision; Michael Berkowitz; Bigelow Teas; Black Rock Vineyards; Complete Environmental Testing; Eastern Bag; The Geenty Group; Kleban Holding Co., LLC; O R & L Commercial; Quattro, Pazi & Ossiana; RD Scinto; Robert Russo MD; Seaboard Drilling, Inc.; Sam Sloat Coins; Vidal Wettenstein; Zeisler & Zeisler, PC. The chapter is proud to report that $16,837 was raised from this event, which will directly benefit the Habitat for Heroes program.