Valor Ranch's housing program for women veterans aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for female veterans, referred to as "SHEROES," to heal and reintegrate into civilian life. The program offers more than just shelter; it provides a sanctuary for healing and empowerment.
Valor Ranch is a 10-acre ranch that supports female veterans on their road to recovery from service-related traumas. Each female veteran is given a tiny home to live in for 12-months that is fully furnished. During these 12 months, SHEROES can work in the aquaponic garden, or work with the ranch’s livestock. After 12 months, the SHERO moves to her own place and becomes a mentor to the next SHERO for the next 12 months.
The SHEROES move freely on and off the ranch. There is a requirement for them to seek treatment, budgeting classes and case management for 12-months while on the ranch. The next 12-months are spent in an ambassador program where the SHEROES are still in contact with ranch staff and continuing their treatment plans while becoming mentors to the current SHEROES.
The SHEROES will attend budgeting workshops and group support sessions. Individualized interviewing and resume building workshops. Through the treatment program and additional group activities, the SHEROES will be able to translate their military skills to civilian job opportunities. With the ability to show skills learned at the ranch, the SHEROES will be able to transition to permanent housing and jobs away from the ranch.
The goal of Valor Ranch is to allow for a healing journey for female veterans. Allowing the SHEROES to live free of debt while recovering from service-related traumas. The ambassador program graduates will always be welcome at the ranch to continue encouraging others and volunteering to enlarge the community of support at the Ranch.
Here are some key aspects of the intended impact:
1. Safe Haven: Valor Ranch spans ten acres and includes fully furnished cottages where SHEROES can feel secure and reclaim their voice, dreams, and happiness.
2. Holistic Healing: The program focuses on a holistic approach, addressing military-related trauma such as TBI, PTS, and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). It includes wraparound support services to help SHEROES lead balanced, thriving, and self-sustainable lives.
3. Community and Connection: Valor Ranch fosters a sense of community by narrowing the civilian-military divide. Veterans and supporters work side by side, reducing isolation and building connections through shared activities.
4. Empowerment and Resilience: After a 12-month stay, SHEROES evolve into mentors, guiding and supporting new participants. This mentorship helps build thriving communities and ensures that the impact of the program extends beyond the ranch.
5. Skill Development: The ranch offers programs and workshops focusing on job skills, resume writing, money management, budgeting, healthy eating, and fitness, among others.
Overall, Valor Ranch's housing program aims to empower female veterans to lead healthy, happy lives beyond their military service, while fostering a supportive community and providing the tools needed for successful reintegration into civilian life.
Description of intended audience
Valor Ranch, Inc.’s target population will be women veterans of all eras, located in the United States, homeless or at-risk women veterans, and women veterans dealing with PTS, MST, and TBI.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that the nation’s homeless women veterans are roughly 9%. The majority are single; live in urban areas; and suffer from mental illness, alcohol and/or substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders. About 11% of the adult homeless population is veterans.
Some of the causes of veterans’ homelessness also include:
Social isolation after discharge and / or a pandemic such as COVID – 19
Poverty
Lack of support networks
Dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing
Difficulty in conveying to a prospective employer how military skills can translate to civilian jobs
Another characteristic of the veteran is the presence of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). These factors can increase the likelihood of an event leading to PTS, such as:
The intensity of the trauma
Being hurt or losing a loved one
Being physically close to a traumatic event
Feeling a lack of being in control
Having a lack of support after the event
How solution works for these users
This solution works by allowing the SHEROES to have time to reset their focus on themselves. They get time to really do the emotional work without the life stressors of daily living to cloud their focus.
This plan can be scaled to meet the needs of more veterans. This is a creative unique living plan. The veteran is accepted where they are in their journey with a plan that is individualized, while being a part of a ranch that supports the community around them. The veterans are a part of a larger project that is supporting others even when they cannot support themselves.
This plan works best in small groups of 5-10.
The need for a space for female veterans to recover from service trauma to reduce the homelessness and to allow time for healing and learning healthy living through therapy and secure housing will aid in alleviating the risk of suicide.
How it can be implemented
Valor Ranch is a working ranch on ten acres in North Texas. Because of the ranch’s remote location, veterans reside in a quiet atmosphere, away from sirens and other PTS trigger noises, but close enough to the city to obtain employment, attend college and VA appointments.
* 4-399 Square foot cottages fully furnished and decorated for comfort and daily life. There is a plan to add five additional cottages.
* The Hydroponic/Aquaponic garden is soon to be completed. To execute this project, Valor Ranch is collaborating and partnering with Veterans Produce, a local non-profit that builds aquaponic community gardens to feed homeless and food insecure veterans. The garden will generate enough produce and fish to feed all residents of Valor Ranch, with a surplus available to provide North Texas food banks with the capability to feed over 5,000 families.
* The General Assistance Program (GAP) Project will offer emergency financial assistance to Beneficiaries who face a current financial barrier to employment and overall quality of life.
* Assortment of animals for therapy and comfort.
Housing stability is more than just a roof over one's head; it is the foundation for rebuilding lives, fostering growth, and creating opportunities. For 1,764 days, our SHEROES experienced the security and stability that comes with having a safe place to call home. This period of housing stability has allowed them to focus on healing, personal development, and reintegration into civilian life. As well as feeding over 1,200 families. Funding is the largest barrier to the full implementation of our plans.
There is no shortage of female veterans who need assistance. There are numerous veteran organizations that are competing for local funds.
Thank you for considering our organization. We are eager to work together to provide essential services to women veterans, and we are confident that your support will make a significant difference in our mission.
