Serving those who served From the cover
Measuring the impact
The overview
The Guadalupe County Veterans Outreach Cen- ter helps over 180 veterans each week, said Nancy Russell, the center’s veteran services director. It houses six programs, focusing on mental health support and financial support for disabled veterans and families, Russell said. Although the Veterans Outreach Center is in Guadalupe County, residents of surrounding counties can utilize the programs and services offered by the county. “We have Texas Veterans Commissions across the hall, and they can take anyone in the state,” Russell said. “People drive in from all over because there aren’t many TVC reps in surrounding areas.” Veterans in Northeast San Antonio also have AACOG as a resource through the Alamo Veterans Network, or AVN. This network connects veterans to other organi- zations for assistance with housing, employment, money management and other lifestyle needs. According to the 2023 AACOG Annual Report, the AVN has around 230 veteran-serving organiza- tions in the network.
older veterans, who usually need assistance, Rodriguez said. VFW Post 8315 Commander Mike Martinez said another challenge applying for assistance is the unwillingness to relive memories that may trigger reactions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental health complications. To overcome these challenges, Guadalupe County and the Alamo Area Council of Governments, or AACOG, have created one- stop shops for resources. The Guadalupe County Veterans Outreach Center, or VOC, located in Seguin, houses veteran organizations in one building, with plans to expand programs in 2025.
For Schertz, Cibolo and Garden Ridge, veterans make up more than 20% of the total population, according to 2023 five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. In Selma, Universal City and Live Oak, the veteran population makes up nearly 15% of the total population. As veteran populations continue to grow, services from local organizations and government initiatives have also expanded to assist veterans and their families with access to disability services, mental health treatment and employment. Despite having access to programs, the application process can be daunting for
Northeast San Antonio Metrocom veteran populations
Veterans
Nonveterans
Schertz
Cibolo
Universal City
6,652 24,936
5,292 18,572
2,133 12,547
AACOG's impact
21.06%
22.18%
14.53%
13 counties served
Live Oak
Selma
Garden Ridge
1,765 10,316
1,041 6,851
749 2,662
230 veteran-serving organizations
14.61%
13.19%
21.96%
$300K in transportation grants for veterans services
SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU/COMMUNITY IMPACT
NOTE: THESE ARE NUMBERS FROM THE 2023 ANNUAL REPORT. THE 2024 NUMBERS ARE NOT FINALIZED YET.
SOURCE: ALAMO AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Love God, Love Others, Reach the World Saturday Service 5 PM Sunday Services • Traditional , 9am • Bible Study (All Ages) , 10:15am • Contemporary , 11:30am Celebrate Recovery , Sundays, 5:00pm
C IBOLO V ALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH
5500 FM 1103 Schertz, TX • (210) 658-0525 • cibolovalleychurch.org
22
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook