Veterans, the men and women who chose to defend American civil liberties, deserve our deepest gratitude and support. With more than 5,000 veterans in Rockwall County alone, according to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, their impact on our community is significant. This roundup highlights local veteran-focused nonprofits dedicated to honoring their service and ensuring they receive the resources and care they need as they return home.
A Badge of Honor
In 2019, 9/11 first responders John Salerno and Samantha Horwitz were driven by a shared passion to redefine how we perceive challenges and build resilience, and decided to found A Badge of Honor. In only a few years, A Badge of Honor has served more than 500 first responders, and has become a vital source of support, inspiring first responders to embrace their challenges as symbols of strength.
A Badge of Honor is dedicated to empowering first responders and veterans currently serving as first responders with practical tools for managing post-traumatic stress, stress relief, and resilience building. Through their Wellness Workshops, the team equips first responders with essential tools to manage stress and enhance mental wellness. These workshops are state certified and provide training credits for first responders.
In the words of one veteran turned police officer who worked with A Badge of Honor, “This was the first time in 28 years that anyone cared about the trauma I was exposed to.”
By making a donation, you can help A Badge of Honor provide essential wellness resources and training for first responders. Join in making a difference in their lives and honor their service by visiting www.ABadgeofHonor.org.
The Undaunted Warhorse Initiative
In 2020, local real estate broker and former Marine Corps member Brad Tiegs had an encounter that would change the course of his life and the lives of countless veterans. While going about his day, Brad met a Vietnam veteran affectionately known as “Yosemite,” a man who had fallen through the cracks of the VA system and endured homelessness, financial hardship, and violence. Moved by his story, Brad teamed up with fellow community members to help Yosemite secure housing, care, and stability. That single act of compassion grew into a larger mission: Undaunted Warhorse Initiative.
Today, Undaunted Warhorse Initiative (UWI) is a veteran-owned 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping veterans overcome hardship—divorce, job loss, incarceration, or disaster—through employment assistance, transitional housing, mentorship, and community support. Currently, UWI is working to acquire and develop an RV park that will serve as temporary housing and as headquarters for the organization. This space will include a betterment center for training, networking, and digital accessibility which will create a safe, empowering place for veterans to find resources, rebuild stability, and thrive.
By going to www.warhorse.me, you can donate funds to directly help build stability for American heroes.
Veterans Resource & Outreach Center
The Veterans Resource & Outreach Center (VROC) in Rowlett is more than a support hub; it’s a lifeline for veterans and their families across North Texas. At the heart of it is Michelle Curtis, who joined the organization in 2022. Married to an Army veteran who died ten years ago, Curtis originally signed on to “just help” but quickly discovered her true passion: supporting the mental health and well-being of those who served.
Under her leadership, VROC has grown into a one-stop-shop for veterans to access critical services. The center partners with Dallas County Veteran Services to connect veterans to benefits, counseling, and mental health resources, while also hosting monthly resource fairs that bring in nonprofits offering everything from housing help to job support. Veterans and their families can also attend community events like free monthly Bingo or the new Vietnam-era veterans breakfast with guest speakers.
This holiday season, the VROC is asking for donations of white Christmas trees to start their gift-donation program for veterans and their families. With more than 3,400 veterans living in Rowlett alone, VROC is working tirelessly to ensure none are left unseen or unsupported.
To make a donation to the VROC, please email vrocinfo@lifemessage.org or call (972) 463-8762.
Combined Arms
Combined Arms has been serving Texas veterans for nearly a decade with one mission: to make sure no veteran falls through the cracks. In North Texas, the organization operates through the Texas Veterans Network program.
“Combined Arms exists to bring the military community together. This includes veterans, family members, supporters, and the organizations that support them. We know that we are stronger together and no organization can fulfill all of the community’s needs on their own,” said Alexa Petty, Combined Arms Partnership Development Manager - North Texas.
What makes Combined Arms stand out is its innovative blend of technology and human connection. Veterans can create a free profile either on a digital platform or by calling intake coordinators. This dual approach means that whether a veteran needs financial assistance, food support, employment opportunities, or counseling, Combined Arms can make the right referral quickly, regardless of technological preferences.
Combined Arms acts as a one-stop-shop for veterans and their families, offering free access to life-changing resources. Supported by generous grants, private foundations, and corporate partnerships, Combined Arms continues to lead with the belief that collaboration, not competition, creates the strongest outcomes for veterans.
Learn more and make an impact by donating to the cause at www.combinedarms.us.
Military Veteran Peer Network
The Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) is part of the Texas Veterans Commission and exists to connect veterans and their families with the mental health resources they deserve. Serving the greater Dallas area and Collin county, respectively, Domingo Rodriguez and David Brignac work to connect veterans with mental health counseling and support.
The mission of MVPN is simple yet vital: to create a community where veterans, spouses, dependents, and even active-duty service members can openly share their challenges and be guided to the right mental health partners. Volunteers play an essential role in this work. They are fully trained to listen with empathy, connect peers to professional help, and build supportive networks that reduce isolation.
MVPN also provides outreach in unique ways. They support incarcerated veterans, teach suicide awareness and intervention, and offer mental health first aid training. To foster connection, they host peer groups and community events. Recent highlights include July’s art classes, where veterans and their families explored creative healing through canvas painting and leatherworking, and August’s hike at Cedar Hill State Park, where more than 400 participants gathered for nature, wellness, and connection.
Fueled by volunteers and donations, MVPN continues to stand beside veterans, helping them find resilience and community. To become a volunteer, please visit www.veteransmentalhealth.texas.gov/military-veteran-peer-network or make a donation at www.metrocareservices.org/mental-health-services/veterans-military-families.