Dedication of the USMC Corporal Andrea T. Ryder Home for Female Veterans
Earlier this week Director Connell provided remarks at Operation Stand Down Rhode Island’s (OSDRI) new female homeless Veteran transitional home in Woonsocket, RI.
“The house is truly magnificent and has accommodations for up to 10 homeless women Veterans while they work towards self-sufficiency”, he said.
The facility is named after USMC Corporal Andrea T. Ryder who passed away at the age of 34 from service-connected cancer. Most notably, Andrea refused life-saving chemo and radiation therapy when she learned she was pregnant. Her daughter Olivia led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The home, built in 1865, has been remodeled from top to bottom and women Veterans will be able to receive the wrap around services the need. Joining Director Connell on the trip was our new Woman’s Veteran Program Manager, Joanne Barrett. She is a major in the Rhode Island Air National Guard, so she’s knows what women Veterans face from a firsthand perspective.
Congratulations, OSDRI Executive Director Erik Wallin, as well as President and Chairman, Tony DeQuattro