Warrior Homes

Alex Kane credits the Warrior Homes program with saving his life. The Navy veteran, who served from 2006 to 2012, moved into Alpha House, a rehab facility for substance issues sponsored by Warrior Homes, in February of 2022. In October of that year, he moved to Delta House, a 10-unit, 20-bedroom apartment complex in East Naples established by Warrior Homes to provide housing for veterans getting their lives together. 

“This program saved my life. It motivated me to get on my feet and help others,” said Kane, showing a visitor through his second-floor apartment. “They treat you holistically as a whole person.” He is now pursuing a master’s degree in counseling with the aim of helping other veterans. 

Approximately 100 people gathered outside Delta House on Wednesday, Feb. 21, for the dedication of a courtyard outside the building. An honor guard from VFW Post 7721 trooped the colors, then performed a flag ceremony, explaining what each of the 13 folds given to the flag symbolizes, before presenting the flag to Warrior Homes president and founder Dale Mullin. 

Mullin spoke briefly to the gathering, noting that like all of the organization’s residences, Delta House features a flagpole out in front. Warrior Homes also runs Bravo House and Charlie House, keeping with the military nomenclature that goes along with their veteran-centered mission. 

“Our mission is ensuring that no veteran is left behind,” said Mullin. He thanked supporters and board members and introduced a few of them to speak. These included Rev. Steve Hayes of First Baptist Church and his wife Kim, who were in part responsible for the founding of Warrior Homes, when they told Mullin of the death of their military veteran son, Army SPC Steven Taylor Hayes, suffering from injuries and PTSD, who died of an accidental overdose on August 1, 2016.

“There was no place for him to put his head. Judge Martin told me what she needed was beds –they couldn’t let them out of jail without a safe and sober place to live,” said Kim Hayes. That’s what they love about Warrior Homes. “This place provides dignity and hope.” 

“It costs us about $120,000 per bed,” said Mullins. “We’re a mom-and-pop kind of charity. You don’t see people doing this kind of work, but it’s needed.” 

“We don’t get any support from the government – not one penny,” said Mullin’s wife Marie. “We bought this building in 2022 for $3 million. Then we had to renovate the whole thing, and it was all done from donations.” They still have an outstanding loan of $1.2 million, she added after checking with the group’s treasurer. 

Dale Mullin also thanked some of the group’s sponsors, including Driftwood Garden Center and Jose Romero of C&M Paving, who, when he heard of Warrior Homes’ mission, donated the entire paving project for the parking lot at no charge, and Anthony and Anita Petretta, who donated the Delta House flagpole. 

Donations of any amount are more than welcome. For $1,000, you can sponsor a commemorative brick in the Delta House courtyard and honor a veteran in your family.

To learn more about Warrior Homes of Collier, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, or contribute to their work, go online to www.wwcollier.org, or call 239-799-2260.