BUTLER TWP — Women veterans are helping each other through a support group called Veteran Hope.

“The goal is for women to empower each other,” said Mary Chitwood of the Center for Community Resources.

Chitwood, an Army veteran who is one of the program’s facilitators, said such a support group helps the veterans understand that there are others experiencing the same issues.

“They’re not going through it alone,” she said.

Members of the group meet every Tuesday at the VA Butler Healthcare off New Castle Road to learn about services available to them through a fabricated scenario.

The premise involves Hope, a fictitious 45-year-old Hispanic veteran who is homeless, who wants to live independently once she completes treatment.

Group participant Robin Arnold, 45, of Butler Township portrays Hope, talking with guest speakers about services she may need.

Arnold says she enjoys the program.

“I love it,” she said. “I think it’s great.”

Arnold said the information she receives from the speakers is beneficial and she likes the role-playing scenario.

“We cover all the needs,” she said.

The background for Hope is she was emotionally abused while growing up in an alcoholic household.

She has two children, a 10-year-old autistic stepson and a 16-year-old girl who watches her brother due to their mother’s addiction and mental health illness.

The children are staying with Hope’s sister.

Hope has been hospitalized several times for mental illness and/or substance abuse over the past 20 years.

She is addicted to alcohol, illegal street drugs and prescription medication.

Hope has been told she is unemployable and has more than $45,000 in debt.

Since the meetings started in April, Hope has met with Terri Doctor-Fratto from the VA Butler Healthcare’s registration department.

Through an interview, Doctor-Fratto determined Hope needed treatment for mental health and addiction issues.

She directed Hope to a primary care provider for treatment.

Hope then met Sue McElhone, admissions coordinator for VA Butler Healthcare Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation.

McElhone gave Hope a prospective admission date and directed her to HOMES (Homeless Management Information System), a national database for homeless veterans, for temporary housing.

Hope subsequently spoke with Samantha Goldberg, a case manager at the VA Butler Domiciliary.

Since housing was acquired, the next step was identifying resources for therapy to address Hope’s depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and military stress disorder.

Jackie Cannon from the VA Butler Healthcare’s Center for Behavioral Health then spoke to Hope about various groups before suggesting Hope attend classes for coping skills.

When Hope met Kelly Fulmer, a veterans justice outreach specialist, they discussed Hope’s legal issues.

Fulmer confirmed Hope did not qualify for Butler County’s Veterans Court due to already being convicted of a crime.

Fulmer advised Hope to contact county probation and domestic relations.

Hope then participated in a coping skills group with James Thompson, a social worker for VA Butler Healthcare Behavioral Health.

Kristian Karschner, conference officer and military liaison for county domestic relations, provided further information to Hope.

During the Veteran Hope meeting Nov. 1, Hope met Dwight Boddorf, outreach coordinator for the VA Butler Healthcare, who spoke about education funding covered in the G.I. Bill.

“There are numerous opportunities for women to go back to school,” Boddorf said to Hope (Robin) and the other veterans.

Registered nurse Nicole Thompson, women veterans program manager at VA Butler Healthcare, explained the program originally was going to focus on rehabilitation and recovery, but expanded to all needs veterans face.

“So it wouldn’t be so narrow,” Thompson said.

Thirty women are registered in the program. Ten attended the meeting Tuesday.

Veteran Jamie Byers, 28, of Butler said the program is informative.

“Very helpful,” Byers said.

She also likes the relaxed atmosphere of the meetings.

“It’s very casual,” Byers said.

Veteran Hope draws women across the region.

Terri Carr, 59, of Moon Township said she doesn’t mind the drive to Butler to attend.

“It’s worth it,” Carr said.

Carr, who is on the state council for Vietnam Veterans of America, said the program has enabled her to spread information about resources to people across Pennsylvania.

Carr said other regions are interested in initiating their own version of Veteran Hope.

Paige Young, 48, of Apollo also enjoys the camaraderie of the group.

“Hanging out with the girls,” she said. “I’ve gotten total support.”