Bravo Foxtrot United Veterans Inc.
A New Era of Outreach, Advocacy, and Healing
News coverage of successful rescue operations usually brings joy to our hearts when we hear about a worker who has been rescued from a collapsed construction excavation or an individual who has been pulled safely out of a burning automobile. We call the individuals who perform these selfless acts heroes. These heroes come from organizations explicitly formed for our protection such as fire departments, emergency medical service units, and police departments, but also from individuals who bravely react to emergency situations. However, a question remains about who rescues our first responders who find themselves in dire situations. The men and women we are talking about are our military veterans who have found themselves abandoned by society and have come to live on the streets and in secluded camps.
Certainly, there are many organizations that offer help to veterans, but in most instances, veterans can’t find their own way to reach out to them and get the assistance they require. Unfortunately, many of these service members who have defended our country in combat have returned home with post-traumatic stress and serious physical disabilities that hamper their ability to successfully return to society, get the help they need and therefore become lost and invisible. With parts of their soul still back in combat, they suffer from internal fights between their morals and what they had to do to survive and allow the freedoms we enjoy without any thought. The shame and guilt caused by the injuries to their moral code potentially keep them in a state of judgment, detaching from society and an inability to re-enter this culture they once enjoyed as we do – but feel they can no longer fit into.
Bravo Foxtrot prides itself in its unique ability to perform outreach and build relationships with those living in the streets or in encampments. It starts with establishing a mutually beneficial relationship, gaining that person’s respect, demanding equal respect in return, and providing him or her with food, clothing, shelter, and sanitary items. From there, Bravo Foxtrot evaluates the specific and more detailed needs of that person and develops plans as to how those personal needs can be specifically met by – referrals to other mental health and veteran support facilities; obtaining purpose and meaning through financial literacy training and job training; and obtaining support from other military veterans and by reconnecting with family and friends.
OUR STORY
Bravo Foxtrot United Veterans Inc. (Bravo Foxtrot) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that Matthew Simoni (combat veteran), and his wife, Jade Pinto founded together. Matthew Simoni and Jade Pinto met in early 2018 at Jade’s tattoo parlor in Islip. Matthew had just arrived in New York after a bout of homelessness in Virginia and got tattooed frequently as a method to deal with his pain. Little did they know that their lives were destined to be intertwined for a cause much greater than either of them. Jade, having extensive experience with mental health and trauma, as well as holistic and natural ways to cope, was naturally drawn to Matthew, who she almost immediately identified as lost and with a part of his soul missing.
Matthew served in the military for nearly a decade. He served with Naval Special Forces and held a top-secret clearance, and participated in three combat deployments and many classified missions throughout Northern Africa. He reached the rank of e6 or petty officer first class and was hand selected and rigorously trained and screened to be a part of the prestigious Chief of Naval Operations, Priority One Command: Navel Special Warfare Development Group.
Needless to say, holistic means, meditation, mindfulness, and spirituality were not part of Matt’s vocabulary. Jade played an integral role in Matt’s ability to deal with his traumas and stressors by introducing these healing modalities into his life. Charitable work and the reward that comes with helping others also became an integral aspect of his life. That certainly was not synonymous with Matthew’s military training. However, this relationship has taught both of them much about the opposite ends of the spectrum, so to speak. Learning from each other, and being opposites yet at the same time, so similar, has enabled them to reach others in terms of healing that is unrivaled. Their own lives and personal experiences mirror that which so many of our service members and family of service members experience.
Jade and Matthew were able to identify shortfalls within the system. These shortfalls turned out to be catastrophic in terms of veterans and their families. The fact remains, that joining the military increases your odds of mental health disorders, substance abuse, incarceration, homelessness, and yes, suicide. Throughout Jade’s life, she has taken up a great interest in holistic healing modalities. Matthew’s presence in her life enabled her to bring her lifelong passion to her reality, in the service of others. Simultaneously, this service work and altruism doubles as Matthew’s therapy, providing him a reason to wake up in the morning and giving him a purpose in life that he never thought would be possible again. What better population to assist than the men and women who are responsible for the freedoms and sovereignty of each and every citizen living within our nation, the men and women who wore the cloth of this nation? A phrase that Matthew has coined along with the formation of their organization is simply put, “God bless our troops and God bless the principles that made our great nation free.”
OUR MISSION
At Bravo Foxtrot United Veterans Inc., our mission is to empower and uplift veterans and their families by providing the support, resources, and opportunities they need to heal and thrive. We are committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by veterans, particularly those struggling with homelessness and severe mental health conditions. Through holistic approaches, advocacy, and personalized care, we are creating pathways to stability, healing, and reintegration into society. Our goal is to ensure every veteran receives the respect, dignity, and opportunity they deserve while helping them rebuild their lives and reconnect with their communities.
At Bravo Foxtrot, we are recognized as subject matter experts in veteran outreach, homelessness intervention, and support for those with severe mental health challenges. Approved by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) as an adult shelter, we provide housing for 20 or more veterans. Our approach emphasizes holistic healing, expanding into secluded areas where veterans struggling with mental health can find solace in nature and solitude, while also fostering community connection. We focus on moving beyond traditional therapy and medication as sole treatment methods, offering a broader spectrum of healing opportunities.
HOW WE ARE HELPING
Since our revitalization, Bravo Foxtrot has grown significantly, now serving over 150 veterans across Long Island and beyond. We empower veterans by providing access to critical resources such as benefits, legal aid, housing, employment opportunities, and community integration. We also support family reintegration, helping veterans reconnect with their loved ones as part of the recovery process.
Our strength lies in trust—bridging the gap between veterans and the resources they need by leveraging the lived experiences of our founder, Matthew Simoni, and co-founder, Jade Pinto. While Matthew brings the perspective of a veteran, Jade represents the experiences of veteran families, offering a holistic understanding of the challenges faced by those we serve. Together, they create a deeply personal and compassionate approach to healing and recovery.
EXPANDING HEALING OPPORTUNITIES
Bravo Foxtrot recently acquired a 20-acre property in Cody, Wyoming, where we plan to host therapeutic retreats for veterans. These retreats offer a variety of healing methods, allowing participants to disconnect from the chaos of daily life and immerse themselves in an environment that fosters peace and introspection. For many combat veterans, the open landscapes, quiet solitude, and sense of freedom in this environment can be deeply therapeutic.
At these retreats, veterans will engage in holistic practices such as mindfulness, group discussions, and outdoor activities tailored to promote mental and emotional well-being. The combination of solitude, community support, and personalized care creates an ideal setting for healing and growth.
WHAT SETS US APART
Bravo Foxtrot is a revitalized force of change, delivering impactful solutions for veterans and their families. Our leadership, rooted in personal experience, drives our passion and commitment to this cause. By fostering empowerment and self-worth, we help veterans heal, grow, and thrive.
We are transforming the narrative, proving that every veteran and their family deserves the opportunity to rebuild and reclaim their future. Together, we are building stronger communities and brighter tomorrows.
Outreach
The Bravo Foxtrot team locates veterans in wooded areas and abandoned lots building mutually respectful relationships. Our team works together with the veterans in order to help provide support and access to the services they need.
In-Person Talk Groups
Weekly meetings for veterans who share common ground with the purpose of offering each other support and a sense of community.
Virtual Meetings
Weekly meetings for veterans who share common ground with the purpose of offering each other support and a sense of community.
Providing Life's Essentials
Bravo Foxtrot accepts physical donations such as food, clothing, and hygiene products and distributes them to any veteran in need.
Advocacy
Bravo Foxtrot is the voice that represents veterans everywhere and defends their rights and benefits. Our team stands for veterans every time.
Legal Aid
We have partnered with a local law firm to provide the deserved legal aid for these veterans and to fulfill the "financial stability" aspect of their mental health/social status recovery.
The Bravo Foxtrot Board
The Bravo Foxtrot United Veterans Inc. Board are a group of volunteers dedicated to helping Long Island veterans obtain the services and aid they need in order to lead successful lives. The board does not receive salaries.
Matthew F. Simoni
Executive Director
Executive Director Matthew Simoni, served in the United States Navy as an active duty service member. The last 4 years of his career were spent at The CNO Priority One Command (Tier One command) SOCOM (Special Operations Command), JSOC(Joint Special Operations Command) (active duty) from 2006-2016. Participating in four deployments’ various missions, Matthew held a TS/SCI4 with polygraph (Top Secret/Secret Compartmented Information level 4) clearance for the last 4 years of his service. He participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation New Dawn (OND), and many classified operations in Africa. After his separation from active duty military service in 2016, he encountered many issues in his life that were extremely contrasting to his accomplishments during his service. This is a significant part of his story because he has seen both sides of the spectrum. Today, he focuses and dedicates his life to assisting other veterans with transitioning to civilian life through this not-for-profit organization that he is so proud to be a part of and founder of. It should be added, this organization plans to set the standard for all others. God Bless Our Troops and God Bless The Principals Which made Our Nation Free!
Jade G. Pinto
Deputy Executive Director
Co-founder of Bravo Foxtrot and wife of Matthew Simoni, Jade Pinto is a business-savvy, gifted & talented tattoo artist for the past 25 years. She is the owner of a successful Bay Shore, NY tattoo business, Ink Sanctuary, Inc. for 20 years. Jade has also crafted her artistry extensively while living abroad in several countries such as Italy, Spain, and the state of Hawaii. She has dedicated her life to holistic modalities and spirituality using these gifts with the veterans we serve. Her methodology has provided an alternative healing process much needed by our veterans who so badly need ongoing therapeutic care.