300 to 400 homeless female veterans in Tampa area

'Faces Of Athena' Show To Benefit Homeless Female War Veterans

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 30, 2008

A group of about 30 artists will offer works for sale at a benefit Saturday to aid homeless female war veterans.

Called "Faces of Athena," the free exhibition opens to the public at 6 p.m. Saturday at Romeo's Art Gallery, 1515 Seventh Ave. in Ybor City.

"These are people who are having trouble fitting back into society and getting on their feet. Some are withdrawn and depressed," said Rich Frederick, an artist and U.S. Air Force veteran who co-chairs the event with Sara Romeo, co owner of the gallery and executive director of Tampa Crossroads, the beneficiary of the exhibit.

Tampa Crossroads, a nonprofit agency begun in 1977, provides a wide range of rehabilitative skills to adults. Through its Athena Program, it will provide housing and a variety of support services for 16 female veterans by November.

Toward that goal, the group has renovated a two-story red brick building in the Ybor Historic District that once housed returning World War II veterans.

"The building is 100 percent renovated, but we need to add some safety features to meet code," said Romeo, who wishes she could offer the services sooner than November. "We know there are about 300 to 400 homeless female vets in our community right now,"

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