The spirit and initial vision of this organization is what makes this a five-star operation. But that is lost in the back room dealings and practices of the executive management and board of directors. Management directed statements that mislead donors and supporters, such as, "Nearly 90 cents on the dollar." Truth is this statement means the spending is in the 80 percentile, but is marketed to mislead.
To spend $600,000 (or more), for remodeling, and to use corporate donations so staff can have on site shower and locker facilities, and fully equipped kitchens, is misuse!
To pay the upper management $160,000 and $120,000 per year PLUS air fare and rental cars to and from home and work twice a week, again, is wrong. The donors and supporters have no idea about the amount of wasted money being thrown away!
Finally, the sheer number of personnel turnover is staggering! Just at the upper management level, in just 12 years there have been 3 presidents, 2 executive directors, 3 CFO's, countless managers and standard employees, all under the management excuse, "well nonprofit work isn't for everyone!"
To the veterans served by this organization, God bless you and thank you for you service.
I do video work (as an outside company) with Homes for Our Troops, and I can tell you that with them, what you see is what you get. I have seen dozens of Veterans lives changed firsthand by the work that HFOT does. Their only purpose is to serve our nation's wounded Veterans and their families and to help them re-build their lives. There is no hidden agenda. I am proud to be a part of what they are doing - even if it is only on a small scale!
HFOT is one organization I highly recommend to donors, friends, family and colleagues because of their commitment to help and support our disabled vets. I actively support them and invite you to do the same!
In early 2008 I was contacted by Paul Gemme and Mike Duckett of Homes for our Troops from Massachusetts. They wanted to know if I would be interested in building a home for one of their disabled veterans, Andy Robinson in Florence, New Jersey. I responded positively however I definitely had reservations.
The economy was rather weak in the home building business and I was responsible to attempt to get assistance from local sub contractors and suppliers to ease the overall burden of cost of construction. My other concern was trying to keep control on a project where I did not know some of the participants. Turned out that I was surprisingly impressed on how everything came together. Homes for our Troops appointed Mike Duckett to be my contact. He walked me through the process that they had in place and was always available to discuss any issues with me.
The project was unbelievably rewarding. The people that I met along the way were so incredibly nice and supportive. One of the best examples was the help that I received from an organization in New York know as HEART 911. Bill Keegan and John Viola, the founders, brought about 70 experienced volunteers down to help on our three day build brigade. I would not have succeeded that weekend without their help. We worked alongside of the family of the soldier as well as many local volunteers.
We had sub contractors and suppliers almost fighting over the ability to be the one selected to do the work. At the key ceremony watching Andy and his wife enter their new home was so emotional. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to be a part of this project. Congratulations to Homes for our Troops for making this possible for some of our disabled veterans, a small thank you for what they gave to us.
Charles Kojeski
Kojeski Construction
Review from CharityNavigator
Mallard Construction Group, Inc. was honored and privliedged to be selected as the General Contractor for the Captain Butler project in Chester, MD. Working with Homes For Our Troops from the begining of the project to the climatic end, the Key Ceremony was wonderful. The organization is very well run, organized and provided all the support that a General Contractor would need to oversee such a large undertaking.
Doreen Lewis, who works for Homes For Our Troops, went above and beyond when assisting the planning and participating in the Build Brigade, Volunteer Day and the Key Ceremony. It was a pleasure to work along side with her. Mike Duckett and Paul Vespia, also from the organization, assited us in every step of the construction process from finding sub-contractors to procurring donations of material and labor. The president, John Gonsalves, and several board members and members of the organization's executive staff were present at our Key Ceremony and it gave a chance for the whole community to see why this charity is such a success: HEART!
Review from CharityNavigator