LET'S GIVE BACK TO OUR VETS
Because We, Too, Believe A Home Is A Right!
FUNDING ROUND 011:
HOUSE 10-15 VETERAN FAMILIES BY THE END OF 2021
HOUSE 10-15 VETERAN FAMILIES BY THE END OF 2021
AHARI, Inc. was birthed by its Founder and Executive Director, Stephanie Booker who is also the widow of decorated Vietnam veteran Richard Carter. Stephanie's love story goes like this... Stephanie, a community activist with longstanding relationships in the political, social services, and Veterans' communities, first actualized AHARI, Inc as a 501 (c) (3) in 2011 as a capstone project within her Master's Degree program at Eastern University. Stephanie's personal history with chemical dependency, homelessness, and mental health inspired her to launch AHARI as transitional housing for women. To be successful with housing, though, Stephanie realized she and the program participants needed more...
"I met an incredible, intelligent, honorable man in 2012 who had an extensive background in the Veterans’ population and a wealth of knowledge. He was seeking an NPO to support his mission with his reentry program..." -Stephanie Booker
Richard Carter was a decorated Vietnam veteran and respected community activist in Chester and Philadelphia, PA. After his service, Richard experienced 11 rocky years battling with drugs, alcohol, and incarceration. While in prison in 1982, he joined the Veterans of Graterford and credits that group for helping him rehabilitate and overcome the emotional and mental troubles associated with his experiences in the Vietnam War. Richard specialized in the development of innovative juvenile-justice programs and re-entry services.
In 2014 AHARI changed its focus to the veteran population, creating programming that not only helps with basic survival but supports veterans and their families thrive as full beings. Stephanie shares, "I was clean for 16 years before I found a program that addressed me holistically. This program was WRAP, Wellness Recovery Action Plan. Since participating I began to move beyond just living and began thriving." Stephanie overcame challenges and the odds against her success. She has 28 years of recovery and has successfully raised two children as a single parent. Her first-born graduated from Spelman College maintaining a 3.78 GPA, .worked at MSNBC- Universal as a Paige IRTS Fellow in New York City, and now runs her own business as a career coach. Stephanie's second child graduated from Girard College with high proficiency in musical engineering and is an Engineering freshman at North Carolina AT State University.
“I want to thank you for making the last years of my life the best years of my life. I don’t want you to die with me, please
carry on my legacy and live your best life.” -Richard Carter
AHARI is part of Richard's legacy. Our veterans and their families deserve a permanent supportive home, not just transitional housing. Stephanie Booker believes the transitional housing system is broken. Therefore, AHARI works to:
- provide permanent housing, supportive services, and strategic programming for homeless at-risk veterans and their families
- help veterans and their families become self-sufficient
- move veterans in need from transitional housing to homeownership within a positive kinship community through
- acquire land and rehabilitate blighted properties to build "AHARI VILLAGE: A Veteran Affordable Housing Development" in University City where gentrification has ravaged the community
Discover more about AHARI, volunteer, and donate property and services at www.aharihomes.org.
1 - Round One funding will go toward feasibility/environmental studies • site/excavation/engineering plans • lots transfer fees
