The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) has increased its efforts to reduce and prevent veteran homelessness by expanding its team with two Homeless Veteran Coordinators.
“This is good news. They will engage directly with veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of experiencing it in both urban and rural areas across Texas,” said Dr. Blake Harris, TVC Veteran Mental Health Department Director, pictured. ...
Continue ReadingJudge Wayne Christian, Colonel, US Army, Retired, of the Bexar County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) invited the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to participate in the VTC’s “All Hands On Deck” docket held December 13, 2021.
Bexar County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) invited the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to participate in the VTC’s “All Hands On Deck” docket held December 13, 2021.
“This is our opportunity to see all of our veterans face-to-face prior to the holiday season, encourage them to make the ...
Continue ReadingTexas State Senators José Menéndez and Bob Hall, and Representative Tony Tinderholt received special recognition from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) for their consistent, strong support and advocacy on veterans issues throughout their years of service in the Legislature.
Menéndez’s support has included authoring and working to pass bills which improved higher education and the college environment for veterans. He also successfully advocated for veteran mental health programs to include family members and allow veterans of any discharge status, other than ...
Continue ReadingLooking for services to help one’s well being in a subtle environment? Vet Centers offer social, mental and emotional wellness in a confidential manner at low profile locations. Additionally, the centers provide connectivity to many resources available in the community.
“The confidentiality is a big asset of Vet Centers,” said Mike Jaeger, Army veteran and Southwest District Manager for the Texas Veterans Commission’s Claims Department. The centers themselves are somewhat nondescript. “The centers are often located in office buildings or strip ...
Continue Reading
Marine Corps veteran and Victoria area Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) Peer Service Coordinator Oscar Pulido saw the opportunity to enhance his town’s annual veteran recognition event with more comradery for veterans and connect them with local resources and services. The event, VetFest, is scheduled for Veterans Day, November 11, 2021, from 4-8 p.m. at the ...
Continue ReadingIn late July, a Facebook post seeking help for a dog suffering from heat stroke lead Beaumont area resident Karen Kiesling to a nearby Village Creek State Park in Lumberton. There, she found a veteran, her daughter and their four dogs camped. The family, Army veteran Ruth Lufkin and her daughter Seevena Poole, had been evicted from their home after they got behind on rent as health conditions made it difficult for Poole to work and earn money.
After connecting with ...
Continue Reading“Just as those who served in uniform swore to bear true Faith and Allegiance to our Nation, the Faith and Allegiance Initiative, founded by John Wilson, seeks to encourage community and faith-based partners to bear true faith and allegiance by offering a hand,” said Dr. Blake Harris, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veterans Mental Health Department (VMHD) Director.
Pictured from left are Dr. Blake Harris, TVC VMHD Director; and John Wilson, Community and Faith-Based Coordinator TVC VMHD.
In just six months, September 2020 through February 2021, the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) served 34,789 veterans or veteran family members; plus, MVPN engaged with 6,720 justice-involved veterans. Additionally, MVPN conducted 196 training events; and trained 642 Texans in Basic Military Cultural Competency Training and Suicide Prevention Training.
“The steadfast commitment of our Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) Peer Service Coordinators and Peer Volunteers to serving Texas service members, veterans, and their families during this unprecedented time is self-evident,” said ...
Continue ReadingThe first three Veterans Faith Champions in Texas received their initial training in April 2021. Veterans Faith Champions are volunteers who will act as resource guides to transitioning military and veterans within their faith communities.
“Transition is a critical time. We all want social connectivity, community, and life purpose. You have all of these in the military. When service members leave the military, they look for those same opportunities as veterans,” said John Wilson, Lt. Colonel US Air Force Retired and ...
Continue ReadingArmy veteran Howard McMillan’s eyesight problem made him unable to pursue his career as a welder as he could not pass the necessary eye exam. Unable to secure employment, he was living in a shelter in the Fort Worth area. “I didn’t know how I was going to make it,” said McMillian. He had the contact information of Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Justice Involved Veterans Coordinator Erin McGann and gave her a call.
McGann introduced McMillian to his area Military Veteran ...
Continue Reading