Helping America’s Heroes
Young people in the U.S. are stepping up to support veterans.
Building Homes for Heroes (BHH) is a nonprofit that constructs and renovates homes for wounded veterans, first responders, and families who have lost military members. Based in New York, BHH has recently teamed up with students from the Villages Charter School (TVCS) Construction Management Academy in Florida.
In May, BHH celebrated the completion of two new homes in Lake Panasofkee, Florida, gifted to U.S. Army Specialist Raje Jones and U.S. Army Sergeant James Tavares along with their families.
The homes were fully constructed by the students at TVCS, who worked alongside BHH. This hands-on experience allows them to learn valuable skills while making a meaningful contribution to the community.
Kim Vesey, BHH’s President and General Counsel, shared her thoughts about the recent collaborations with TVCS. “This is truly a phenomenal program, and we’re lucky to partner with them,” she noted in a discussion.
Starting back in 2024, the organization and TVCS began working together to create homes for veterans in need. One family, affected deeply by military injuries and PTSD, found themselves in a tough situation, living in transitional housing. “They were really struggling,” Vesey explained. “They had two boys, and they were doing their best.”
This particular family was the first to receive a home built by the students. Now, their two sons are involved in activities at the school, and the veteran is running a program for kids with autism.
“I can’t say enough about the opportunities the school provides these students,” Vesey remarked. “It’s fantastic that they can combine classroom learning with tangible community impact. Seeing this firsthand must be incredibly rewarding. Knowing that their work matters is crucial.”
Blake Tartt, an 18-year-old recent graduate from TVCS, shared his thoughts about building a home. “The whole experience was amazing,” he said. “Watching the project evolve from sand to a finished home taught me so much. I plan to carry these lessons into my future.”
Tartt, who has a family history of military service, mentioned that he and his classmates put in a lot of effort to create something meaningful for the returning soldiers. “We didn’t settle for just okay; we aimed for perfection,” he added. “Communities should always reach out to those they’ve served.”
Vesey highlighted that BHH operates in 37 states, but Florida has the highest need for housing for veterans. She pointed out the importance of understanding the challenges faced by former service members.
“It’s not like people choose to find themselves in situations where they can’t support their families,” she noted. “Anyone can end up in a position where a single paycheck isn’t enough.”
There’s a misconception that all veterans have a solid plan after military service. Vesey explained, “Many enter with hopes of a lifelong career, assuming they’ll retire comfortably. But if that career is cut short by an injury, it creates significant challenges.”
Many veterans leave the military without stable housing or a fallback career. “I’ve served my country for a decade, yet it’s tough to establish roots,” Vesey said. “When someone has put themselves in a high-risk career for their nation and their path is abruptly altered, it’s vital that our country supports them accordingly.”
