Bridgeport veterans organization almost reaches goal after loss of state funds

Vince Santilli, the CEO and executive director of Homes for the Brave says his organization has raised nearly $92,000.

Mark Sudol and Emily Knapton

Aug 16, 2024, 10:29 AM

Updated 28 days ago

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The head of a Bridgeport nonprofit that helps homeless veterans says his organization has reached 92% of its fundraising goal after he says state officials turned their backs on veterans.
Vince Santilli, the CEO and executive director of Homes for the Brave, says his organization has raised nearly $92,000. It is trying to reach $100,000 for Saturday's Step Challenge Fundraiser at Sacred Heart University’s Martire Family Arena.
Santilli says state officials promised his organization $100,000 in funding this year to help with things like housing, health care and jobs. But he says the state then broke its promise and gave the funding which came from federal COVID-19 dollars to another organization.
"I'm very sad and disappointed to say that our veterans that we serve that are experiencing homelessness, hunger and mental health issues got zero and that's just unacceptable," said Santilli.
State officials say the nonprofit might get the money later, but they made no promises.
If you’d like to help Homes for the Brave and want more information click here.