The Lorain Valor home has helped more than 200 male veterans get back on their feet since they opened three years ago. Now they hope to do the same for the women who served.
The organization helps veterans with temporary housing, building resumes and finding jobs but so far men are the only ones who have really benefited.
It's something they plan on changing. There is no Valor Home for homeless female veterans, at least not yet.
Dustina Canter, an Air Force veteran, works at the Valor Home. She said the job helped her get back on her feet.
"I think a lot of people never thought about female veterans being homeless, so we're already the first home like this in Lorain County for men, and it would be great to open one for women as well," Canter said.
Navy veteran Richard Rogers agrees.
"We have to take care of our own. This is like our home away from
home," Rogers said.
It's not lack of want that keeps the Valor Home from being able to help homeless female veterans.
"We do have female veterans that are homeless that do come in needing help. The issue is we don't have the housing for them because a lot of them have children,” said senior support worker Gloria Cash.
A private citizen has even donated property for a Valor Home for women to be built but the dream is still far off. According to Cash, grants and more donations are needed to make the dream a reality.
"I think female veterans sometimes get forgotten. The men get put ahead unfortunately, that's just how society thinks sometimes, but the need for help for female veterans is just as important," Cash said.
