Have a business idea or thinking of starting a franchise?

“We have a lot of veterans that call and have lots of ideas for different businesses and that’s where we help them do some market research to determine if that’s a viable business,” said Maggie Peterson, Veteran Entrepreneur Business Consultant of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) and Air Force veteran. “We can help get veterans connected with how to decide or find a good franchise program to buy into.”

TVC’s Entrepreneur Program assists veterans and their spouses with everything from business ...

9
MAR
2021

0

Entrepreneurs, News & Events

Veteran’s Claims rating increases 30% after contacting Texas Veterans Commission

An increase in Claims compensation rating from 40% to 70% for a San Antonio area veteran is a recent example of how Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisors (CBA) assist veterans.

The Air Force veteran had been out of the service for over 24 years, since 1996. With a 40% Claims rating, he was receiving around $40 a month or about $480 annually.

“He was referred to me by another veteran we had assisted,” said CBA Diane Bowie. “We looked at ...

9
MAR
2021

0

Claims, News & Events

Delivering benefits strengthens relationships in Bexar County

“I had to be medically retired. I want to say thank you to the military and the veterans service center … for helping during that time,” said Nyajuok Mangongo, a retired Army Captain. Watch her full story and others at Bexar VCSO video. Pictured is veteran Jeffery Hof telling his experience with Bexar VCSO.

“Our focus is to ...

9
MAR
2021

0

Claims, News & Events

March 1836 was a perilous month for Texas independence

March 1836 saw Texans’ fight for their independence in peril. Early victories had been earned by Texans at Gonzales (Come and Take It), Concepcion and a battle west of San Antonio over a supply line (the Grass Fight). On March 2, 1836 Texas independence from Mexico was declared. Just a about a week before on February 23, a large, strong Mexican army of possibly 7,000 troops lead by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna arrived in San Antonio to crush ...

2
MAR
2021

0

News & Events

Free legal assistance for civil matters

Housing, family law, disability issues, estate planning & more are among free civil legal assistance available to eligible Texas veterans from Lone Star Legal Aid, Houston Volunteer Lawyers and Texas A & M School of Law – Family & Veterans Advocacy Clinic. These organizations are supported by grants from the Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.

Each organization offers its own variety of pro bono legal services and each serve various counties the state.

Lone Star Legal Aid serves multiple ...

8
FEB
2021

0

FVA News, News & Events

Help with eyesight & seeing a brighter future

Army 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 ...

2
FEB
2021

0

Claims, Health Care Advocacy, Mental Health, News & Events

Her dream is on her career path with help from Veteran Career Advisor

After Gulf War Army veteran Lenora Holmes’ new job fell through, she found herself unemployed and depleting her savings. In her previous job as a VA social worker in North Texas, she had directed veterans to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) for employment assistance. Holmes decided to do so herself. She met with TVC Veteran Career Advisor (VCA) Bobby Lee officed in McKinney.

“In true Bobby Lee fashion, he offered her some snacks, a box of tissue, and assisted in developing ...

2
FEB
2021

0

Employment, News & Events

At 2,700 successful claims & counting, Veteran County Service Officer Rios is benefits savvy

“Every time that we are able to get someone their benefits, we consider that a success,” said Juan M. Rios, Sr., Tarrant County Assistant Veteran Service Officer.

Having completed nearly 2,700 claims for veterans disability, non-service-connected pension, and survivors benefits, Rios creates much success.

Rios’s advice to his fellow veterans is “Do not hesitate to ask. Most are too proud to ask for help but if you do not ask you will never know if you are eligible for the help.”

With his ...

2
FEB
2021

0

Claims, News & Events

From homeless veteran to veteran Health Care Advocate

Freddy Salazar served in the Marine Corps from 2005-2009. After he left the service, he was married and had two daughters. “Due to some mental health conditions and drug and alcohol use, I lost it all,” said Salazar. In 2012, he separated from his wife and was homeless.

“I was on the streets with 3 shirts, pants and shoes. I was in a shelter home for over 3 weeks while working for the Army National Guard Bureau. At that time in ...

2
FEB
2021

0

Health Care Advocacy, News & Events

Veteran owned North Texas Voice & Speech among select few of Bunker Labs incubator

Army veteran and Speech Therapist Leslie Wegner owns North Texas Voice & Speech, a specialized speech therapy practice helping adults and children with voice, swallowing, and speech related problems. She works with a variety of clients, including veterans, who have vocal fold problems, aging voice concerns, difficulty swallowing, and now those who are recovering from Covid-19 complications. Additionally, Wegner provides voice treatments for patients with Parkinson Disease.

After starting her own company in 2020, Wegner noted that one of the ...

2
FEB
2021

0

Entrepreneurs, News & Events