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Please click on the links to learn more about Nick's desire to share his love of soccer with the children he encountered while deployed in Iraq. Although he never had the chance to place a ball in a child's hand, his spirit through the generosity of the American people have helped us send over 31,000 soccer balls to our troops to distribute to the children in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nick was dedicated to bringing positive change to people' lives. He did this for children through soccer, both in our country and in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now the Kick for Nick effort has touched hundreds of others across the country. Participation came from, and continues to come from, over 320 cities in 46 states.
"Female Soldiers–Forgotten Heroes" is being undertaken in dedication to and in memory of
PFC Nicholas Alexander Madaras.
Through correspondence with troops who are involved with the soccer ball distribution, the Kick for Nick Foundation has become acutely aware of a new and historically unique situation; the large number of female soldiers who, are returning home as veterans of combat zones.
Research on the subject turned up compelling numbers and found that, although transitional and permanent housing for veterans is an issue which is being widely addressed, housing specifically for female veterans is largely insufficient for the growing need. Connecticut currently has 106 transitional supportive beds but less than 10 of them are for women. Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs shows that 6,000 - 8,000 women veterans are homeless in our country. Today this is 5% of all homeless veterans while 10 years ago women were only 3% of this group. This is the most in the nation's history and a number that will increase as today 20% of new recruits to the military are women. To date, approximately 180,000 women soldiers have been deployed to Iraq & Afghanistan. This is almost 11% of all the U.S. troops serving in these areas. To amplify the situation, statistics show that 30% of women veterans identify themselves as being from ethnic minority groups having lower economic backgrounds.
When compared to previous conflicts, a much higher percentage of the women soldiers who are deployed to the Middle East are actually serving in active combat zones. They are not just serving in medical facilities or Headquarters administration. The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that disorders suffered in combat, such as Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), among new OEF / OIF female veterans treated at the VA has grown dramatically from approximately 1% in 2002 to nearly 19% in 2006.
To assist in establishing transitional supportive housing specifically for homeless female veterans, Kick for Nick Foundation, along with a dedicated team of volunteer committee members are working towards raising funds and identifying a safe, residential neighborhood to call home. It is anticipated that 2/3 of the funds required for the project will come through a Veterans Administration Grant and a Per Diem Program for Homeless Veterans while the balance of 1/3 will be acquired through fundraising.