Gov. Greg Abbott on Oct. 5 announced 19 Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grants totaling more than $5.1 million awarded to 15 San Antonio-area nonprofits serving military veterans.
The background
As part of the Texas Veterans Commission's Big Check Tour, the funding the veterans service groups received will affect more than 6,700 area veterans and their families across 35 counties, according to a news release.
Funding for these grants is generated primarily by the Texas Lottery Commission’s games designated for veteran support, the release states. Other grant funding sources include individual donation options on driver’s licenses, handgun license fees, outdoor recreation licenses for hunting and fishing, and vehicle registrations.
Digging deeper
The grant recipients and their services include:
- Alamo Area Council of Governments: $800,000 total for home modifications and transportation programs and services
- American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program: $500,000 for clinical counseling
- Bandera County Committee on Aging: $300,000 for financial assistance
- Bexar County Commissioners Court: $25,000 for veterans treatment court
- Bexar County: $300,000 for misdemeanor veterans treatment court
- Comal County: $400,000 total for financial assistance and veterans treatment court
- Community Council of South Central Texas: $150,000 for financial assistance
- Endeavors: $800,000 total for clinical counseling and homeless veterans support
- Guadalupe County: $100,000 for veterans treatment court
- Meals on Wheels San Antonio: $450,000 total for home modification and supportive services
- Operation Finally Home: a $500,000 grant for home modification
- San Antonio Legal Services Association: $135,000 for pro bono legal services
- San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry: $300,000 for homeless veterans support
- The Salvation Army San Antonio: $300,000 for financial assistance
- Val Verde County: $50,000 for transportation programs and services
TVC Chair and Navy veteran Laura Koerner said the grants will support veterans in different ways.
“This is the final stop on TVC’s Tour of Texas, where we presented grants to community organizations and partner agencies to provide critical services to the state’s veteran population,” Koerner said in a statement. “These Alamo area grants will provide transportation, home repairs, second chance opportunities, and many more services to area veterans.”
Get involved
Veterans in need of aid can find area organizations providing help and how to contact them at www.tvc.texas.gov/grants/assistance/
