6 Stones is building a coalition of churches, businesses, and others that provides solutions to meet the needs of our community.
To provide unique and personalized support to our homeless and at-risk veterans who are struggling to reintegrate into civilian life.
Healthy Homes for Heroes programs assists with modification to ensure veterans, surviving spouses, and their families will be able to remain in a healthy home. Forward Home Program helps veterans, surviving spouses, and their families by providing them with one-time rental/mortgage and utility payments to prevent homelessness.
An advocate agency established to assist veterans and/or their survivors obtain entitled benefits from the U.S. Dept. of VA and the State of Texas.
Mission Statement
Defenders of Freedom provides donors with the organization they need to support post 9/11 Veterans in their transition to civilian life through emergency financial assistance, morale building programs, and traumatic brain injury treatment.
Our Story
Defenders of Freedom (DOF) was founded in 2004 by Donna Cranston. As the mother of a warrior deployed in Iraq, Donna combined her personal experiences as a military mom with her passion and desire to help our Veterans succeed with honor as they returned home. Raised in a family that instilled patriotism, Donna began her journey working with Veterans by sending care packages overseas to the Troops and participating in the Welcome Home a Hero program at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport. This program supported the Army’s Rest and Recuperation program for weary Soldiers who came home for 2 weeks during their yearlong tour. Donna attended her first DFW greeting in June of 2004, and it changed her life forever. Through these activities and the unfilled needs that Donna learned from her interactions with Veterans, she founded Defenders of Freedom as an avenue to connect the community to service members. Most Americans support our Troops, but just don’t know how they can help. They just needed a tangible way to participate. DOF began providing assistance to Veterans by sending care packages and providing emergency financial assistance to those that returned with disabilities and were badly in need. Donna listened to these men and women and responded to their needs. DOF expanded its services to include an evidence-based approach to treating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Veterans.
TBI is the signature wound for post 9/11 Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and historically, very little had been done to successfully treat the injury. Defenders of Freedom identified a solution to this debilitating injury and is committed to helping Veterans get this life changing treatment. Functional neurology is proving to improve the lives of the Veterans we put through the program. We believe it might be the most effective tool in combatting suicide among post 9/11 Veterans.
DOF serves both male and female Veterans who have deployed to the middle east. We have worked with Veterans across 32 states. Veterans are referred to us from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), crisis hotlines, local social service providers, and by word-of-mouth from other Veterans.
According to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, TBI is a significant health issue which affects service members and Veterans during times of both peace and war. This condition is estimated to have affected 370,000 service members since 2000. For every soldier killed since 2003, seven soldiers have been injured. Multiple deployments enhance the chances of leaving a tour with TBI. Many Soldiers make it home from war seemingly outwardly untouched, when in reality they are some of the most debilitated. What we have learned from Veterans is that until they receive proper treatment for a TBI, rather than just prescribed medication to address symptoms, their road to healing is both long and challenging. It is common for DOF to see Veterans who were stellar Soldiers while on active duty, now unable to hold down civilian jobs and have no idea why they are not able to properly function. DOF has worked tirelessly with these Veterans to help them get the care that they need to get them on the right path.
Defenders of Freedom’s primary goals are to provide care and transitional support for our Troops and Veterans, assistance with basic living necessities through short-term emergency financial support, address imminent physical and mental health issues, improve morale, keep Veterans engaged in a supportive community, and to provide access to Veterans with TBI to a comprehensive treatment protocol.
If you would like more information about our program you may contact us at:
donna@defendersoffreedom.us or jodi@defendersoffreedom.us
Locations:
Dallas, TX
Kansas City, MO
Pittsburgh, PA
Pensacola, FL
To provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned – and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship.
To provide comprehensive, effective, and innovative services that encourage growth, allowing people, to build better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Fisher House Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization established to provide support for the Fisher House program that provides free housing and a home away from home for the families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. Since its founding in 1990 by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher the organization has helped more than 305,000 families saving them more than $360 million in out-of-pocket costs for housing and transportation.
The Freedom Foundation provides numerous programs and services to our Veterans.These programs and services includes a Food Pantry, administration of a Employment Placement Program entitled “Ready To Serve”, the operation of the “Veterans Temporary Housing/Shelter Program” for our homeless and displaced Veterans, a Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance Fund and our hosting of a free weekly Thursday luncheon, serving our Veterans a well deserved “home cooked meal”.
| Give an Hour’s mission is to develop national networks of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society. By harnessing the skill and expertise of volunteer professionals, they are able to increase the likelihood that those in need receive the support and care they deserve. Since 2005 we have focused on providing free mental health care to active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, veterans, and their families. |
To provide a nationwide and efficient support network available before, during and after deployment to post 9/11 servicemen and -women, veterans and their families that is known to military members, their families and commanders, and the communities in which they live.
The HER Foundation is committed to providing meals, lodging, access to medical care and job placement services for identified women veterans who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.
A local Love INC is a partnership of local Christian churches working in a coordinated way to address and respond to the needs of their neighbors – In the Name of Christ. This collaboration is facilitated by the local Love INC office in practical, productive, and trans-formative ways.
| Luke’s Wings’ mission is to provide complimentary airfare to wounded, ill and injured service members throughout their recovery and veterans in hospice care. |
Financial aid varies as each case is based on individual needs ranging from rent, utilities, vehicle payments, groceries, clothing, and travel expenses.
| Patient AirLift Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that arranges free air transportation for individuals requiring medical diagnosis, treatment or follow-up who cannot afford or are unable to fly commercially. PALS also arranges volunteer flights for family members of patients as compassionate missions, to ensure patients have support when they are away from home for long periods. PALS is proud to assist military personnel and their families with free flights to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation processes for our wounded veterans. Finally, PALS has a history of supporting humanitarian efforts in the event of natural or man-made disasters. |
Our Vision and Mission
Our vision is that all service members are able to serve our nation free of financial worry and that every veteran has a strong financial future.
The mission of the PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes is to empower military service members, veterans and their communities with the skills and resources to realize financial stability and opportunity.
The Foundation’s Values
Service: Focus on the mission and giving back to those who gave for us.
Collaboration: Build unity of effort — within the Foundation, with our donors and beneficiaries, with the PenFed Credit Union, through partnerships with other veteran service organizations, and through supporting nonprofits whose work supports or supplements our programs.
Trust: Behave with integrity and in ways that build trust within the Foundation, with our beneficiaries and with our donors.
Empathy: Understand and respect the experience and perspectives of our colleagues, beneficiaries, and donors.
The Special Forces Association is a non-profit 501(c)(19) Veteran Service Organization with over 9,700 active members and 85 Chapters located throughout the United States and eight Countries around the world. One of the primary missions is to promote and support the general welfare of the Special Forces community, which is accomplished through three funds: The Emergency Relief Fund that provides immediate financial assistance to eligible members, their spouses, children, and grand-children in times of natural and unexpected disasters, the Scholarship Fund, an annual education assistance program providing education scholarships based on merit to children and grand-children of SFA members; and The Patriot Fund. established in 2007, provides support and assistance to the JFK Special Warfare Center and School, The Special Forces Command, and seven Special Forces Groups and Their families primarily through the Family Readiness Groups and the US Special Operations Command Care Coalition.
Leads the community solution to homelessness in greater Tarrant and Parker counties by serving as a catalyst for community transformation.
OUR MISSION
Since 1927, the mission of the Texas Veterans Commission has been to advocate for and provide superior service to veterans that will significantly improve the quality of life for all Texas veterans, their families, and survivors.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The Texas Veterans Commission will aggressively advocate for Texas veterans, their families, and survivors.
The Texas Veterans Commission will provide quality service through eight program areas: Claims Representation and Counseling, Veterans Employment Services, Veterans Education, Veteran Entrepreneur Program, Health Care Advocacy, Veterans Mental Health Program, Women Veterans Program, and the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.
The Texas Veterans Commission will provide quality service through a dedicated, professional, and well trained workforce.
The Texas Veterans Commission will connect with all veterans across the state, and tailor its service to meet their needs and the needs of their families and survivors.
The Texas Veterans Commission will take the lead in coordinating efforts between our eight programs and with federal, state, and local governmental offices and private organizations that provide services and assistance to veterans.
The Texas Veterans Commission will ensure that Texas veterans maintain the highest quality of life and well-being through its advocacy and dedication to veterans’ services.
We hold ourselves personally and professionally accountable to provide exemplary customer service to veterans, their families, and survivors through our core values.
PROFESSIONALISM
Perform your duties to the highest standard and providing excellent customer service in every program area.
INTEGRITY
Provide fair, honest and objective advocacy in an ethical manner while displaying the highest standard of conduct both on and off duty.
COMPASSION
Consistently demonstrate care, concern and understanding in every encounter with Veterans, family members and stakeholders.
COMMITMENT
Fully dedicated to develop yourself to become the best you can be in carrying out the mission of the TVC.
TEAMWORK
Working together in a positive and productive manner to accomplish the mission and goals of the agency.
The Texas Veterans Commission was created in 1927 as the State Service Office to assist veterans of the Indian wars, Spanish-American War and World War I. Our purpose has always been to act as the state appointed advocate of Texas veterans as they attempt to secure the benefits rightfully earned in exchange for their service in our nation’s armed forces.
We are able to do this through our eight program areas:
- Claims Representation and Counseling serves veterans, their dependents and survivors, in all matters pertaining to veterans’ disability benefits and rights. It is the designated agency of the state of Texas to represent the State and its veterans before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- Veterans Education Program approves all programs for Chapter 30, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607 federal educational benefits. Through an approval process, the Texas Veterans Commission ensures that institutions and employers are in compliance with federal guidelines and are qualified to provide the type of training offered.
- Veterans Employment Services offers employment services to Texas veterans and helps employers find qualified veteran job applicants. The goal of these services is to match veteran job seekers with the best employment opportunities available.
- The purpose of the Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP) is to foster and promote veteran entrepreneurship throughout the state of Texas. The Texas Veterans Commission, with the help of the Governor’s office and several prominent Legislators, passed Senate Bill 1476 in 2013. This allowed for the funding of a team of experienced business consultants to be available for any veteran in the state of Texas to consult with, free of charge to the veteran.
- Fund for Veterans’ Assistance is a program that makes grants to eligible charitable organizations, local government agencies, and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) that provide direct services to Texas veterans and their families.
- The Health Care Advocacy Department is a team of highly-trained Texas Veteran Commission staff, strategically positioned across the state to act as liaisons for Texas veterans in addressing issues involving Veterans Administration health care related services.
- In collaboration with the Department of State Health Services, the Texas Veterans Commission’s Veterans Mental Health Program consists of multiple initiatives focusing on peer support, clinical mental health care access, and community collaboration.
- The Women Veterans Program serves women veterans by helping them to obtain their benefits and services. We strive to raise awareness of women veteran contributions and services to our country and state, as well as inform and educate women veterans and their resource providers about the benefits and services to women veterans.
Through these program areas, the Texas Veterans Commission provides excellent service so that each veteran receives every benefit that they deserve. As a veteran works with our counselors, the quality of life for that veteran and their family significantly increases.
Today, Texas is leading the country by making sure each veteran is represented and cared for. The people of Texas have sent a clear message that the sacrifices made by veterans and their families are deeply appreciated, and that there is an agency that will stand by them and take care of them: the Texas Veterans Commission.
Jewish Free Loan offers interest-free loans on a non-sectarian basis to individuals and families whose needs are urgent and who may not qualify through normal financial channels. Interest-free loans, instead of charity, fill an important gap in our social system by promoting self-sufficiency with dignity.
Website “cheat sheet” with multiple websites listed for transitioning servicemembers, spouses, and veterans.
The Texas Veterans Portal connects veterans, their families, and caregivers to the benefits and services earned through their military service.
VetsNet works with more than 75 agencies throughout Wisconsin counties and beyond to bring critical services to at-risk veterans and their families. Those partner agencies are veteran service organizations, state and federal veteran agencies, other nonprofit veteran and community social service agencies.
| Yellow Ribbon Fund provides practical support to Post 9-11 active-duty and veteran servicemembers by offering rental cars, hotel stays and fully-furnished apartments at no cost to military families while they are receiving medical treatment at Walter Reed and Fort Belvoir. |