2023-24 Grant Awards

Brazos Valley Cares held the 2nd Annual Grant Awards Dinner on August 15, 2023 and announced $89,000 in grants to 10 organizations serving veterans in the Brazos Valley. Receiving grants for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year are:

• American Legion Auxiliary Unit 159 for weekly Veteran Coffee/Donuts
• Courtney Cares Equine Services for Heroes for equine-assisted services to veterans with needs such as PTSD, TBI, depression and anxiety
• Delta Company Corps of Cadets TAMU for uniforms, PT gear, sports passes and parking passes for student veteran members of the Corps of Cadets
• Earl Graham Post 159 American Legion for Christmas gifts for senior veterans, Veteran Resource Fair, Veteran Crisis Assistance (rent, utilities)
• OnRamp Vehicles for Veterans for the purchase and maintaintence of vehicles to award to additional local veterans
• RELLIS Veteran and Military Services for Textbook lending library, graduation regalia closet, challenge coins for graduating students
• Student Veterans of America Chapter TAMU for Aggie Student Veterans and Military Families Support & Engagement Cord & Coin Graduate Reception
• The Salvation Army of Brazos County for Emergency Social Services (ESS) Rent and Utility Assistance for Veterans
• VET MAP Corporation for Curriculum for TAMU veteran-students to help them discover their talents, clarify their values, and discern their life-purpose
• Veteran Resource & Support Center, TAMU for the “BVC Veteran’s Kitchen” which provides snacks and drinks to the 1,000+ student veterans/active duty and 3,000+ student military dependents at Texas A&M.

Brazos Valley Cares also introduced a new Mental Health Initiative with plans to partner with several local licensed therapists specializing in service-related trauma, anxiety and depression as well as organizations offering non-traditional therapy services such as equine therapy, outdoor family retreats, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for invisible wounds like PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Members of the Brazos Valley Cares volunteer Emergency Committee who respond to the hotline calls were introduced, as were several of the Brazos Valley County Service Officers who help veterans with VA claims and benefits.

It was a great opportunity to meet other volunteers and staff from various organizations that are working together to serve our veterans.

All the attendees were so grateful for the support of Brazos Valley Cares donors who are “investing in our veterans” and making a huge difference in the lives of these veterans and their families.