Governor Abbott Announces Over $3.8 Million In Grants To South Texas Veteran Service Organizations
Governor Greg Abbott today announced 18 Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling more than $3.8 million were awarded to 15 organizations in South Texas as part of the Texas Veterans Commission's (TVC) Big Check Tour. Presented by TVC today, the funding will provide services to over 3,300 Texas veterans and their families across 27 counties in the FVA South Texas region.
"From financial assistance to home modification, Fund for Veterans Assistance grants help our veterans receive critical services they need after serving our nation," said Governor Abbott. "We are forever indebted to our veterans and their families, and Texas will always go the extra mile to help ensure these heroes are shown the appreciation they have earned and deserve."
"South Texas is home to many proud men and women who have served our country, and TVC is here to advocate for veterans, their spouses, and survivors," said TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran Laura Koerner. "These grants offer services from peer support to employment assistance from partner government and community agencies."
Chairwoman Koerner presented the grants at the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court in Edinburg. FVA presentations will continue through the first week of October in San Marcos and New Braunfels.
The FVA grants awarded today include:
- Cameron County: a $120,000 grant for financial assistance
- City of Laredo: a $200,000 grant for home modification
- Community Action Corporation of South Texas: a $300,000 grant for financial assistance
- The Council On Alcohol & Drug Abuse - Coastal Bend: a $50,000 grant for support services
- Goodwill Industries of South Texas, Inc.: a $115,000 grant for employment support
- Hidalgo County: a $300,000 grant for financial assistance
- Nueces County:
- a $200,000 grant for Veterans Treatment Court
- a $150,000 grant for financial assistance
- San Patricio County: a $300,000 for financial assistance
- South Texas Afghanistan Iraq Veterans Association: a $50,000 grant for peer support services
- The Salvation Army Coastal Bend: a $300,000 grant for homeless veterans support
- Tropical Texas Behavioral Health:
- a $500,000 grant for peer support services
- a $300,000 grant for financial assistance
- Webb County: a $150,000 grant for transportation programs and services
- Webb County 406th Judicial District Court: a $300,000 grant for Veterans Treatment Court
- Willacy County: a $150,000 grant for financial assistance
- Zapata County:
- a $100,000 grant for financial assistance
- a $300,000 Housing for Texas Heroes grant
Funding for these grants is generated primarily by the Texas Lottery Commission’s games designated for veteran support. Other sources of funding for the grants come from individual donation options on drivers’ licenses, licenses to carry a handgun, outdoor recreation licenses for hunting and fishing, and vehicle registrations.
Veterans in need of assistance can find the organizations providing help in their area and how to contact them at tvc.texas.gov/grants/assistance/