Before founding Homes for Our Troops, Mr. Gonsalves had 20 years of experience in the construction field.  As it did for many of us, September 11th changed Mr. Gonsalves’ life.

Early on in the war, John, a construction supervisor would listen to the nightly news reports about service members returning home with severe brain injuries or loss of arms, legs or vision.  He wondered what would happen to these men and women who had sacrificed so much for our country.  How would they get around in the comfort of their own home with such severe injuries?

John set out on a mission to find out.  He learned that most of the young men and women that volunteer are so young they cannot afford to own their own home.  So most rent or they live with their parents.  He learned that their severe injuries did not allow them to move freely in their homes because houses and apartments are not barrier-free or easily adapted to take into consideration the types of disabilities incurred during combat.

With all the information he learned as he spoke to these veterans and visited hospitals like Walter Reed Army Medical Center, he was on a mission to found Homes for Our Troops.

“Starting up a non-profit organization was an area as far away from supervising construction projects as it gets.  It’s been a learning experience, and so rewarding.  The outpouring of generous citizens at times is overwhelming.  The veterans I have met along the way have touched my heart and I am honored to have them as my friends.  Homes for Our Troops is dedicated to building specially adapted homes for disabled veterans, as long as there is a need…”John Gonsalves.

Committed to running the non-profit organization by maintaining the highest professional standards and keeping it financially efficient and professionally staffed, John’s efforts were recently rewarded when the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP), one of the country’s premier charity watchdog organizations, reviewed Homes for Our Troops’ finances and included the organization in their Top-Rated Veterans & Military Charities listing.

John travels extensively throughout the United States speaking about Homes for Our Troops and advocating on behalf of injured veterans, including his testimony before the House of Committee on Veterans Affairs, Sub-Committee on Economic Opportunity Hearing on Specialty Adapted Housing.

He and his organization have been featured in the national media including CNN, NBC Nightly News, Fox News and numerous local media outlets across the country.

• Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service
• President Bush’s Address to the Troops at Camp Pendleton, PA
• Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor
• ENR Top 25 Newsmakers Award
• Home Magazine’s Home Shelter Award
• Meeting with President and Mrs. Bush in the Oval Office
• Received letters of support from the President of the United States, Members of Congress and high-ranking Military Officials.

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