Veterans

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American Legion

A national nonprofit veterans’ service organization, founded in 1919, dedicated to supporting veterans, service members, and their families through advocacy, benefits assistance, community programs, and camaraderie, with local posts fostering grassroots support.
Services:

• Benefits Assistance: Helps veterans file for VA benefits, including disability claims, pensions, and education support (e.g., GI Bill); provides expert guidance through accredited service officers.
• Veteran Support Groups: Local post meetings (e.g., Post 366 in Carrollton) offer peer support, mental health discussions, and camaraderie to address issues like PTSD and reintegration.
• Community Programs: Scholarships for veterans’ children, emergency financial aid, and events like veteran job fairs, memorial ceremonies, and youth programs (e.g., Boys State, Junior ROTC).
• Advocacy: Lobbies for veteran-friendly policies and improved VA services at local, state, and national levels.

Eligibility: Open to honorably discharged veterans, active-duty service members, and their families; membership requires service during recognized wartime periods.

Cost: Free services; annual membership dues (~$30–$50, varies by post).

Become a member on the website.

Phone #: 800-433-3318

Local Posts

TX Post 0597
1024 S Elm St
Carrollton, TX 75006-7225
Phone #: 972-242-5650
Email: alpost597@gmail.com
Website: https://www.americanlegion597.com/

TX Post 0021
6301 Main St
The Colony, TX 75056
Phone#: 469-0444-0868
Email: rayrreynolds1947@gmail.com
Website: https://www.americanlegionthecolony.org/

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Canine Companions | Veterans Initiative

A national nonprofit program by Canine Companions for Independence, dedicated to empowering U.S. war veterans with disabilities by providing highly trained service dogs free of charge to restore physical independence, emotional well-being, and hope during civilian transitions.
Services:

• • Service Dogs for Physical Disabilities: Dogs trained to perform tasks like retrieving dropped items, opening doors, picking up prosthetics, and alerting to important sounds for veterans with hearing loss.
  • PTSD Service Dogs: Specialized dogs trained since 2018 to identify stressors and provide support, such as creating barriers in crowds, interrupting nightmares, turning on lights, and retrieving calming items to manage anxiety, hypervigilance, and fear.
  • CanineAlert™ System: A patented wearable technology integrated with service dogs for enhanced PTSD support, helping veterans respond to triggers.
  • Application and Assessment: Evaluation process to determine suitability, followed by matching with a dog; includes follow-up training and support.

Cost: Completely free for eligible veterans.

Requests for a Service Dog can be done via an online form.

Canine Companions
7710 Las Colinas Ridge
Irving, TX 75039

Phone #: 214-259-4700
Daryl Sager, Canine Companions Veteran Programs Manager: 707-297-3682

 

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Dallas County Veterans Services Office
A county government office providing advocacy and assistance for Dallas County veterans and their families, helping with federal/state benefits, claims, and local resources to improve quality of life.

Services:

• Benefits Assistance: Helps veterans and survivors file for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Texas state benefits, including disability compensation, pensions, and education (e.g., Hazlewood Act).
• Advocacy and Claims Support: Represents veterans in claims processes and advises on applications to reduce delays or denials.
• Document Assistance: Aids shut-in veterans and others in completing applications and acquiring supporting documents (e.g., DD-214).

Eligibility: Dallas County residents who are veterans (honorably discharged) or their dependents.

Cost: Free.

Office Location
2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 631
Dallas, TX 75207-2710

Phone #: 972-692-4939
Email: veteran.services1@dallascounty.org

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Home Point

Home Point provides homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals, including veterans and families, through programs like Veterans Housing Partnership and All Citizens Empowered. Services include case management, financial assistance, and empowerment to achieve stable, affordable housing.
Home Point
2800 Live Oak Street
Dallas, TX 75204

Phone #: 214-828-4244

*Housing programs typically require a CAS referral.

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Operation Once in a Lifetime

A nonprofit organization dedicated to creating memorable experiences and providing support for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families, particularly through events and promotions that honor military service and foster community.
Services:

• Memorial and Remembrance Trips: Annual events like the Closure Trip to Arlington National Cemetery (Memorial Day Weekend 2025) and the Remembrance Trip to the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, offering veterans and families opportunities to honor sacrifices.
• Charity Events and Fundraisers: Hosts events such as the Rock for the Troops Charity Concert (May 10, 2025, at Armor Brewery) and raffles (e.g., 2025 C8 Corvette Convertible LT2 with Z51 package, with ticket options for donations of $25 for 1 ticket, $100 for 5 tickets, or $500 for 30 tickets) to raise funds for military support.
• Promotions for Soldiers: Custom experiences, such as promotions for Dallas Cowboys fans in the military, to celebrate milestones and build morale.

Eligibility: Primarily active-duty service members, veterans, and their families; specific events may require registration or donations for participation.

Cost: Events and raffles are donation-based; core support is free for eligible military personnel.

 

Contact via website. Email via “Contact us” form on website.

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Silent Professionals

A job placement platform specializing in private security, defense contracting, and mercenary opportunities, connecting vetted military veterans, special operations personnel, and security professionals with employers in high-risk industries worldwide.
Services:

• Job Board Access: Free, exclusive listings for defense, security, and executive protection roles (e.g., overseas contracts, domestic security), with direct employer connections.
• Candidate Vetting: Personal vetting process to match qualified candidates with decision-makers, emphasizing military backgrounds and skills like tactical operations.
• Career Networking: Tools for resumes, interviews, and industry insights to facilitate transitions from military to private sector roles.
• Target Audience: Primarily post-military veterans, special forces alumni, and security experts; open to active-duty personnel transitioning out.

Eligibility: Free registration for candidates with relevant experience; employers pay for access.

Cost: Free for job seekers; no fees for candidates.

 

National Veterans Crisis Hotline: (800) 273-8255, push 1
National Women Veterans Hotline: (855) 829-6636

 

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Texas Veterans Commission

A state agency dedicated to advocating for and providing superior services to improve the quality of life for Texas veterans, their families, and survivors, through benefits assistance, claims processing, and community support programs.
Services:

• Benefits and Claims Assistance: Helps veterans file for federal and state benefits, including disability compensation, pensions, education (e.g., Hazlewood Act), and health care; processes claims with over $7 billion in payments YTD for FY25.
• Grants and Financial Aid: Awards grants (e.g., $46.3 million in 2025) for veteran services, including housing, employment, and family support through the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.
• Property Tax Exemptions: Assists with Homestead and Disabled Veteran exemptions via the HCAD (Homestead Claims Assistance Division), closing thousands of cases annually.
• Employment and Transition Support: Job placement, vocational training, and career counseling for transitioning veterans.
• Mental Health and Family Resources: Referrals to counseling, suicide prevention, and family caregiver support, partnering with VA and local providers.

Eligibility: Texas veterans (honorably discharged or active duty with injury), their families, and survivors; no income restrictions for most services.

Cost: Free assistance; benefits vary by eligibility.

 

Crisis Line: Call 988 (press1)

Phone #: 512-463-6564
Toll Free: 1-800-252-8387
Email: info@tvc.texas.gov

TVC Headquarters

P.O. Box 12277
Austin, Tx 78711

Texas Veterans Commission
1801 Congress Ave. Suite 14s
Austin, TX 78701

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

A federal agency providing comprehensive services to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, including healthcare, mental health support, disability benefits, education, housing, and employment assistance to honor and support those who have served.
Services:

• Healthcare: Medical care, mental health services (e.g., PTSD, depression, substance use treatment), and telehealth through VA facilities like the Dallas VA Medical Center.
• Mental Health Support: Counseling, crisis intervention (Veterans Crisis Line: 988, press 1), and specialized programs for PTSD and suicide prevention.
• Disability Benefits: Compensation for service-related injuries or conditions; apply online or via regional offices.
• Education and Training: GI Bill benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and career counseling for transitioning veterans.
• Housing Assistance: Home loan guarantees, homelessness prevention programs, and supportive housing referrals.
• Employment Services: Job training, resume support, and hiring fairs through the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program.

Cost: Most services are free or low-cost for eligible veterans; healthcare copays vary based on priority group and income.

VA Main Line Phone #: 1-800-698-2411
VA Crisis Line (24/7): Call 988, press 1  or Text 838255

Dallas VA Medical Center
4500 South Lancaster Road,
Dallas Tx 75216

Phone #: 214-742-8387

U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial VA Clinic
3804 West 15th Street Suite 175
Plano, TX 75075

Phone #: 972-801-4200
VA health connect: 833-284-7212VA
Mental health: 972-801-4204

Use the VA Locator to find more locations or various facility types.

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U&I Spread the Light | Veteran Services

U&I is a nonprofit organization supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance, providing essential support to help veterans and their families transition to civilian life, with a focus on no-cost services to promote stability and self-sufficiency.
Services:

• • Transportation Assistance: Helps veterans access medical appointments, job interviews, or other essential travel needs; supported 249 veterans in the 2022 fiscal year.
  • Job Placement: Assists with employment opportunities, including resume building, interview preparation, and job matching; placed 160 veterans in jobs, with 87% achieving full-time employment.
  • Document Assistance: Helps veterans obtain necessary paperwork, such as DD-214 (discharge papers) or state ID, if needed to access services.

Eligibility: Open to veterans with a willingness to engage; recommended documents include DD-214 and state ID, but support is available for those without.

Cost: All services are free, funded by the Texas Veterans Commission grant.

 

Phone #: 214-637-2911 (ask for Ed Vonder, Director of Veteran Affairs)
Email: info@uandispreadthelight.com

8800 Ambassador Row
Dallas, TX 75247-462

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Veterans Resource Center of Dallas

A community-based nonprofit offering holistic support for veterans, focusing on reintegration, mental health, and basic needs in the Dallas area.
Services:

• • Case Management: Personalized navigation of VA benefits, housing, and employment resources.
  • Mental Health Referrals: Connections to counseling for PTSD, depression, and suicide prevention.
  • Food and Utility Assistance: Emergency aid for veterans in financial hardship.

Eligibility: Dallas-area veterans and families.

Cost: Free.

 

Veterans Resource Center
4900 S. Lancaster Road
Dallas, Texas 75216

Phone #: 214-372-8822
Email: ken@vrcdallas.org

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