Honoring Those Who Served: How a Massachusetts Nonprofit Is Strengthening its Workforce to Support Veterans Nationwide

A home can change a life. For veterans living with serious injuries, having a home that meets their needs can make a meaningful difference in everyday life. But making that possible takes more than lumber, concrete and steel. It takes people, expertise, and a commitment that extends after the keys are handed over.

That commitment is at the heart of Homes For Our Troops, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to helping severely injured veterans rebuild their lives through specially adapted homes and lifelong support. Headquartered in Taunton, Massachusetts, the organization builds and donates specially adapted custom homes to severely injured post-9/11 veterans nationwide, creating spaces where they can live more independently and participate fully in family life.

“For Homes For Our Troops, every day is Veterans Day because of our lifetime commitment to our Veterans to stay in contact with them and assist them to rebuild their lives,” said Bill Ivey, Executive Director of Homes For Our Troops.

Ivey emphasized that veterans continue to pursue meaningful goals while navigating challenges that may not always be visible, even long after their military service has ended. “They are pursuing careers, raising families, earning degrees and trade certifications, competing as world-class athletes, and being productive members of society,” added Ivey.

Behind this lifelong commitment is a dedicated team of nearly 80 employees working alongside a network of volunteers to carry out the organization’s mission. For Homes For Our Troops, investing in its workforce is an important part of strengthening its ability to support veterans and their families.

Currently, through a $95,400 Workforce Training Fund (WTFP) General Program grant, Homes For Our Troops is investing in employee development, including technology, business process improvement, communication, and team collaboration. The ongoing training is designed to strengthen organizational operations and help staff continue delivering essential services to veterans.

But this commitment didn’t start recently; since 2017, Homes For Our Troops has partnered with Commonwealth Corporation and Bristol Community College on workforce training opportunities that have strengthened the organization’s operations and supported its employees.

“The generous grants we have been awarded have enabled us to be the beneficiaries of the first-class training and education from Bristol Community College. From the instructors to the administration folks, everyone with whom we have worked has shared our goal of providing multiple opportunities for our team to learn new skills or enhance current skills,” said Ivey.

This partnership highlights how workforce development can have an impact beyond the workers receiving training. By strengthening the skills of those working behind the scenes, organizations like Homes For Our Troops can build the capacity needed to sustain their services and continue making a difference in the lives of veterans across the country.

Through accessible housing, ongoing support, and a commitment to rebuilding lives, Homes For Our Troops reminds us that honoring veterans extends far beyond Veterans Day.