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Dispelling the Myth That Homeless Veterans Are Unemployed or Resistant to Help

One of the most damaging myths surrounding veteran homelessness is the belief that homeless veterans must be unemployed or unwilling to accept help. After more than 22 years of working alongside homeless veterans nationwide, I can say with complete honesty that belief has never reflected the truth I have seen in the field or lived in my own life.

The Reality: Many Homeless Veterans Are Working—and Actively Seeking Support

Homelessness does not happen in isolation. Many of the veterans I serve are working—some full-time, many juggling multiple jobs—and some even have HUD-VASH support in place. Yet they are still unable to secure or maintain stable housing because rents continue to rise, vacancy rates remain low, unexpected crises derail their progress, or disability benefits take months to process.

Others are doing their very best to seek help, but the process is slow and overwhelming. They face long waiting lists, shifting requirements, transportation barriers, or inconsistent follow-up. More often than not, the veteran is trying—but the system is not keeping pace with their needs.

I often hear:

“I’m working, but it’s still not enough.”

“I’ve been calling everyone—I just can’t get in anywhere.”

“I want help. I just can’t get to it fast enough.”

These are not the words of someone resisting support. These are the words of someone surviving.

Why These Misconceptions Hurt Veterans

When we assume a veteran is homeless because they “don’t want help,” we overlook the real issues: housing shortages, economic pressure, trauma, benefit delays, and lack of emergency resources. This misconception places blame on the veteran instead of the circumstances surrounding them.

It also discourages veterans from reaching out again when they have already been met with silence or misunderstanding.

No veteran should ever feel ashamed for needing help.

Homelessness is a moment in a veteran’s life—not the measure of who they are.

Federal Housing Programs That Make a Real Difference

Across the nation, several federal programs help veterans rebuild stability:

🔗 https://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp

🔗 https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp 

🔗 https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp

🔗 https://www.va.gov/homeless/crrc.asp

These programs save lives every day, especially when veterans can reach them early.

The Role of Community Partners

Veteran housing works best when communities work together. Landlords, local agencies, faith partners, legal support teams, employment specialists, and volunteers fill essential gaps that federal programs cannot always meet. Their support—whether it’s offering a unit, helping with paperwork, providing transportation, or simply showing up—creates pathways that veterans cannot walk alone.

If you’re a veteran or military family member looking for resources, check out Mission Roll Call’s Veteran Resource Directory to see what’s near you. 

Why Accurate Understanding Matters

Correcting misconceptions strengthens advocacy and leads to better outcomes for veterans. When we understand the real causes of homelessness, solutions become more effective, compassionate, and aligned with the needs of those who served.

To learn more about the realities facing veterans experiencing homelessness, visit Mission Roll Call’s Homelessness & Housing page.

Your voice matters here. We encourage veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters to share their experiences through Mission Roll Call’s national surveys. Your stories help shape policy, raise awareness, and ensure veterans are seen and heard.

Understanding the truth brings us one step closer to ensuring every veteran has what they deserve: stability, dignity, and a place to call home.

Yvette Jones-Swanson is a subject-matter expert on veteran homelessness and housing. A U.S. Army veteran and survivor of MST, she brings more than 22 years of frontline experience helping thousands of veterans secure stable housing.

In a year full of uncertainty, policy debates, and shifting headlines, one thing often gets overlooked: the many pillars of veteran support that didn’t change.
 

While the national conversation tends to focus on what’s new, it’s equally important to recognize the stability, protections, and systems that held firm — and continued to deliver for millions of veterans, families, and survivors. 

Here’s what stayed strong this year, and why it matters more than ever.

1. The PACT Act Is Still Delivering Life-Changing Benefits

The PACT Act, one of the largest expansions of veteran care in decades, kept doing exactly what it was designed to do: get veterans the care and compensation they earned. 

What didn’t change: 

The bottom line: the PACT Act’s protections are still firmly in effect, and they’re helping millions.

2. Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) Kept Showing Up  Every Day

From DAV and VFW to Team RWB, Team Rubicon, Blue Star Families, Boulder Crest Foundation, Hire Heroes USA, America’s Warrior Partnership, and hundreds more VSOs never paused their mission. 

What didn’t change: 

This ecosystem of support continues to be one of the strongest safety nets in America.

3. Military Families Continued Carrying the Torch of Service

No election, policy debate, or budget fight changed the essential truth: military families remain the backbone of the veteran community. 

What didn’t change: 

Their steadfastness continues to anchor every branch of the veteran community.

4. Access to Community Care Remained Protected

Despite ongoing discussions about future legislation, the core structure of VA Community Care stayed stable. 

What didn’t change: 

In a time of policy uncertainty, the continuity of community-care pathways offered real reassurance.

5. Education, Home Loan, and Employment Benefits Stayed Strong

Some of the most impactful tools for upward mobility in the veteran community stayed rock-solid this year. 

What didn’t change: 

For many veterans, these benefits are lifelines to stability, growth, and new opportunities.

6. Progress and Innovation Within the VA Kept Moving Forward

Even amid challenges, the VA continued advancing key priorities. 

What didn’t change: 

These steady gains add up, improving the experience and outcomes for millions of veterans.

7. The Veteran Community Itself is Still One of America’s Greatest Forces for Good

Above all, one constant stands out: veterans continued showing up for each other and for their communities. 

What didn’t change: 

The strongest force in the veteran ecosystem has always been veterans themselves — and that didn’t change this year. If you haven’t yet participated in our Veteran Voices survey, now’s your chance. Your experience matters, and your voice remains the fuel for change. Join us and be part of the movement. 

Why This All Matters 

Stability may not grab headlines, but it changes lives.
 

In a year defined by uncertainty, these unshaken foundations ensured that veterans, caregivers, and families continued receiving the care, community, and opportunities they deserve. 

Not everything changed and that’s exactly the point. 

Every year, Mission Roll Call (MRC) connects directly with America’s veterans through polls, surveys, and open discussions to better understand their experiences and priorities. In 2025, thousands of veterans across the country shared their thoughts on healthcare, access, family well-being, and the systems designed to serve them.

Their insights reveal not only what veterans need, but what they teach all of us about resilience, leadership, and the importance of being heard.

Here are ten things veterans taught us in 2025.

1. Choice and Flexibility in Care Matter.

A May 2025 poll on the ACCESS Act of 2025 found that 67% of respondents believe the legislation will improve healthcare outcomes, and 71% of rural veterans said it would enhance timely access.

Lesson: Veterans taught us that empowering individuals with options matters, and one size does not fit all when it comes to care. Whether it’s choosing a provider, accessing services locally, or finding the right treatment, flexibility leads to better outcomes.

2. Innovation Is Essential for Wellness.

In a 2025 poll, 74% of veterans said they would use an online portal to schedule and track their care if one were available.

Lesson: Veterans showed us that innovation and convenience in healthcare aren’t luxuries; they’re expectations. As technology continues to transform the medical landscape, digital tools can bridge gaps, reduce wait times, and help veterans take charge of their health.

3. Transparency Builds Trust.

A March/April 2025 MRC survey found that 64% of veterans said they were concerned or strongly concerned that staffing reductions at the VA would affect their care.

Lesson: Veterans taught us the importance of transparency and stability. When systems change, people feel the impact. Open communication and accountability are critical to maintaining trust with those who’ve served.

4. Inclusion Strengthens Community.

In a November 2025 MRC survey on veteran community and belonging, many respondents reported feeling only “somewhat connected” or “neutral” to the broader veteran community, underscoring the importance of inclusive and generational recognition. The survey is still open, and veterans are encouraged to share their own experiences and perspectives at MissionRollCall.org/Veteran-Voices-Survey.

Lesson: Veterans reminded us that respect spans generations and service eras. From World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan, every story counts, and every veteran deserves recognition.

5. Food Security Is Still a Battle.

In an October 2025 poll, many veterans said they or someone they know had relied on food assistance such as SNAP or local food banks. In a separate Mission Roll Call poll during the federal government shutdown, 91% of veterans said they were concerned about losing access to food assistance, with SNAP benefits set to run dry on November 1.

Lesson: Behind the uniform are real lives, and veterans told us that meeting basic needs like food security is essential. Supporting programs that address hunger among veterans and their families must remain a national priority.

6. Staffing and Resources Shape Real Experiences.

A Mission Roll Call poll found that 44% of veterans were “very concerned” about the impact of recent VA staffing cuts, and 20% were “concerned.” Another 19% were not concerned at all, highlighting the varied experiences across the veteran community.

Lesson: Veterans showed us that staffing and resource changes are more than budget decisions; they directly affect the quality and timeliness of care. Sustainable investment in people and infrastructure matters.

7. Vigilance Protects Those Who Served.

In a July 2025 MRC poll, a significant number of veterans reported having been targeted by financial scams or fraud, highlighting the heightened vulnerability of those who’ve served.

Lesson: Veterans taught us the importance of vigilance and protection. Strong safeguards, education, and awareness are essential to preventing exploitation.

Lesson: Veterans taught us the importance of vigilance and protection. We must continue advocating for stronger safeguards, education, and awareness to prevent financial abuse among those who’ve served.

8. Voices Drive Change.

The ACCESS Act poll reached 1,292 respondents across all 50 states, 85% of whom identified as veterans.

Lesson: Veterans showed us that when they speak, leaders pay attention. Policies grounded in lived experience lead to more meaningful change.

9. Access Means Freedom of Choice.

In the same ACCESS Act poll, 60% of veterans said they were comfortable receiving mental health care from non-VA providers, and 79% said allowing veterans and families to seek care in the community without a VA referral would improve access.

Lesson: Veterans remind us that access isn’t just about eligibility; it’s about proximity, convenience, and the freedom to choose what works best for them and their families.

10. Systems Should Meet Veterans Where They Are.

Across polls and conversations, veterans expressed a common desire for systems that are “user-friendly, efficient, and meet them where they are.”

Lesson: Veterans remind us to design systems around people and not to force people to adapt to systems. When we prioritize accessibility, simplicity, and respect, everyone benefits.

Looking Ahead

This year’s insights show that veterans are not just asking for help; they are offering wisdom. Their opinions, based on our 2025 polls, taught us to lead with compassion, prioritize flexibility, and hold systems accountable to serve the people they were created to support. At Mission Roll Call, we are proud to amplify these voices because when veterans speak, America listens.

Join the Mission. Share Your Voice. Shape the Future.

Mission Roll Call’s 2026 polls are coming, and your voice matters. By participating, you help ensure that every veteran’s perspective is heard by the people who make decisions that affect your life and community.

Join Mission Roll Call today at MissionRollCall.org and be part of the conversation shaping the future for all who served.

Serving the men and women of the military doesn’t always require grand gestures—sometimes, small acts of service can have a meaningful impact. Here are five simple ways you can honor, support, and give back to veterans and service members:

1. Donate to Support Military Kids and Families

The holidays can be especially tough for families living on a tight budget or coping with the stress of military life. Donating toys, clothing, or gift cards to a trusted local nonprofit can make a real difference. National programs like Toys for Tots are a great option, but so are the smaller community organizations that directly support military families, children, and veterans in your area.

2. Volunteer with a Veteran Service Organization

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, consider volunteering with a veteran-focused organization in your community. Whether it’s helping at an event, providing holiday support, or lending your skills to a nonprofit, your time can have a big impact. Not sure where to start? Explore Mission Roll Call’s Veteran Resource Directory to find organizations and opportunities near you.

3. Check In with a Veteran

Sometimes the simplest act of service is reaching out. A phone call, text, or handwritten note can make a huge difference in a veteran’s day, especially for those who may feel isolated. Checking in regularly shows that you care and can help veterans feel seen and supported.

4. Support Free Community Events

Many communities offer free activities for veterans, such as museum days, park events, or local recreation programs. Participating in or volunteering at these events helps create an inclusive environment for veterans to relax, socialize, and enjoy time with family and friends.

5. Share Resources and Opportunities

Helping veterans access resources, whether it’s employment programs, mental health services, or recreational activities, can be a powerful act of service. Sharing information, driving them to events, or helping them fill out applications are simple yet meaningful ways to assist.

Conclusion
Acts of service don’t need to be elaborate to make an impact. Whether it’s donating, volunteering, checking in, attending free events, or sharing resources, each small effort contributes to honoring and supporting the men and women who have served. By giving a little of your time or attention, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans and their families.

Mission Roll Call: Join the Movement

Now it’s your turn to take action. Join Mission Roll Call—a nationwide community dedicated to amplifying veterans’ voices and ensuring their needs are heard and met. By adding your name, you’re standing with millions who believe every veteran deserves respect, support, and a strong community behind them.

 

Answer the call. Share your voice. Support those who served. Join Mission Roll Call.

 

At Mission Roll Call, every year starts by listening. In our 2025 annual priorities survey, thousands of veterans, family members, and supporters shared their experiences and perspectives. The result: four core priorities have emerged to guide our work in 2026.

But hearing those priorities is only the beginning. Below are six focus areas that we are carrying forward into 2026. These 6 areas are where veteran voices are driving action, and where we are committed to turning plans into progress.

1. Expanding Access to Quality Healthcare (VA & Non‑VA)

Veterans consistently tell us that timely, high‑quality care is one of their most urgent needs.

In 2026, we are stepping up our efforts to map the barriers veterans face in accessing care and to advocate for policies that remove those obstacles. Expect more research, more storytelling, and more collaborative partnerships aimed at improving outcomes and reducing travel or wait‑time burdens.

Why it matters: Healthcare may be a system, but real care happens person to person. Keeping veterans at the center of the design ensures the system serves, not impedes, them.

2. Supporting Service‑Connected Injuries and Conditions

Many veterans live with long‑term, service‑connected injuries and conditions both visible and invisible.

In 2026, our work will zero in on caregivers, the complexity of chronic care, transitions between active duty and civilian life, and the advocacy required to make sure the benefits and programs veterans earned actually work for them.

Why it matters: Service doesn’t stop at discharge. The condition may persist and the support should too.

3. Enhancing Veteran Suicide Prevention

Preventing veteran suicide remains a top priority.

But in 2026, we’re refining the approach. We’ll explore not only crisis intervention, but prevention before crisis such as peer networks, community connection, non‑clinical wellness, and early engagement.

Why it matters: Countless initiatives exist, but veterans are telling us that what’s missing is reaching them before they hit the edge. We’re committed to shifting earlier on the timeline.

4. Expanding Housing Access & Homelessness Prevention

Every veteran deserves a safe, stable place to live and yet too many remain without it.

Our 2026 efforts will shine a spotlight on the root causes of veteran homelessness: economic instability, healthcare gaps, transitions, and family breakdowns. We’ll profile promising models, support policy change, and elevate veteran‑led solutions in housing stability.

Why it matters: A home is more than a roof—it’s a platform for healing, purpose, and community reintegration.

5. Amplifying Veteran, Family & Caregiver Voices

The four key priorities above emerged because veterans spoke up. This priority remains at the core of Mission Roll Call.

In 2026, we’ll carry forward not just issue‑areas but the method: listening to veterans, families, and caregivers, and turning their perspectives into action. That means more surveys, more regional outreach, more transparency in how we use what we hear.

Why it matters: Change without input is incomplete. When those most affected have a seat at the table, the outcome is stronger.

6. Strengthening Partnerships & Resource Networks

Our advocacy is built on collaboration with veteran service organizations (VSOs), community groups, policymakers, and families.

In 2026, we’ll expand our resource‑directory model, deepen local‑level partnerships, and ensure that knowledge and connection travel as fast as policy changes. That means more stories, more tool‑kits, more live events, and more ways for every veteran to link into the network of support.

Why it matters: When resources are scattered and hard to find, they may as well not exist. Bringing them together amplifies impact.

Looking Ahead

These six focus areas are not silos; they’re interconnected threads in a broader mission. Veterans and families told us what matters; now we carry that work into action.

At Mission Roll Call, we are honored to amplify your voices, turn your feedback into policy and practice, and build a future where every veteran is seen, heard, and supported.

If you haven’t yet participated in our Veteran Voices survey, now’s your chance. Your experience matters, and your voice remains the fuel for change. Join us and be part of the movement.

Before I housed anyone, before I trained anyone, before I became a national advocate — I was a homeless female veteran the system didn’t know how to see.

My Beginning — and the Silence That Followed 

I entered the Army searching for direction and purpose. Instead, I was met with MST — trauma I didn’t have the language for, and the military didn’t have the courage to confront. The result was a discharge that felt more like being thrown away than being transitioned. I didn’t understand then that this was the first domino that would topple years of instability, abuse, and homelessness. 

After the Army, I married a Marine. I thought I was building a new life. Instead, I stepped into a nightmare. He was abusive — mentally, physically, and violently. I lost my first pregnancy because of one of his beatings. Between 1987 and 1993, I ran for my life more than once. And every time I ran, I ran straight into homelessness. 

What hurt just as much was the indifference: “We don’t have anything for women like you.” Not from the shelters. Not from the VA. Not from anyone. 

I survived by piecing myself together each time the world tore me apart.

Rebuilding — One Bathroom, One Shift, One Degree at a Time 

I eventually understood education was my only escape hatch. I took out student loans, pushed through the chaos, and earned my B.A. from Columbia College Chicago.

But leaving him meant survival on my own terms — even if those terms were brutal. When I finally walked away for good, I slept in my car for three weeks. 

I cleaned up in gas station bathrooms, switching locations so no one would catch on. But my favorite place — the one that kept me going — was McDonald’s. I’d wash up, do my hair, grab breakfast, and go straight to my new job at the City of Chicago Department of Revenue like nothing was wrong.

And strangely… even in that car, even exhausted and alone, I could feel my life returning. Piece by piece. Day by day. 

It wasn’t comfort. But it was freedom. And that mattered more.

The First Apartment — and the First Spark of My Mission 

I eventually scraped together enough to rent a tiny studio over a laundromat in Rogers Park. It was small, but it was safe, and it was mine. The building’s owner introduced me to real estate and a world that felt as foreign to me as starting over. But something about it clicked. I earned my real estate license in 1996 from the Chicago Association of Realtors and built a career completely from scratch with zero guidance. No mentor. No shortcuts. Just me, hunger, and the belief that I could rebuild a life worth living.

I grew quickly in the field, leasing hundreds of units, managing 633 apartments across 14 buildings, leading teams, and building systems no one had taught me. But my life changed the day I met a homeless veteran in a wheelchair during a housing workshop I was conducting at Access Living in Chicago. 

The moment I looked at him, I saw her — the young woman I once was, homeless, invisible, scared, trying to figure out why the system didn’t care.

I remember asking myself: “If he’s here… how many more are out there?” I soon found out. Through Hines VA and Jesse Brown VAMC homeless walk-ins, veterans began pouring in, telling stories that sounded too much like mine. And that’s when my mission stopped being accidental. 

It became personal.

For the past 22 years, I’ve done one thing relentlessly: I filled the gaps that almost swallowed me. I trained leasing agents. I trained VA social workers. I trained investors on how to serve veterans and remain profitable. I conducted workshops at Volunteers of America Illinois, the Cook County Department of Corrections, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and for 13 straight years at the Forest Park Vet Center.

Everywhere I went, I said it plainly: “We will not end veteran homelessness until realtors, investors, social workers, and agencies speak the same language and work the same mission.” Because that’s where veterans fall — in the gap between systems that should work together but don’t.

Why I Still Fight 

Women veterans remain one of the most invisible populations in America. We are often overlooked, misunderstood, and underserved. And homeless veterans, especially women, are still being turned away, dismissed, or pushed into systems never designed for them. 

We don’t end veteran homelessness with committees or promises. We end it with systems that see homeless veterans, understand their lived realities, and respond with urgency and coordination. Realtors, investors, social workers, agencies — you all matter. You are all part of this mission. 

I survived what the system missed. Now I’m here making sure no veteran has to survive it alone. The system failed me once — and I will not let it fail anyone else. 

And to Mission Roll Call — thank you for giving me the space to tell these stories to the nation. People deserve to know what’s really happening, and more importantly, how they can help. This is more than my story. It’s the truth about what our veterans face, and the mission we must finish together. 

Yvette Jones Swanson, M.A., is a writer and Mission Roll Call’s subject-matter expert on veteran homelessness and housing. A U.S. Army veteran and survivor of MST, she brings more than 22 years of frontline experience helping thousands of veterans secure stable housing.

Military spouses are the backbone of military families. They navigate frequent relocations, deployments, and the unique pressures of military life, all while often balancing careers, childcare, and personal ambitions. Their support and resilience not only sustain service members but also help strengthen the military community as a whole. Recognizing and supporting military spouses is just as vital as honoring the service members themselves.

The Importance of a Spouse Support System

The life of a military spouse can be unpredictable. Deployments, frequent moves, and long hours of separation can create emotional, logistical, and financial challenges. A strong support system is crucial for:

Support doesn’t just benefit the spouse; it strengthens the family and improves the readiness and focus of the service member.

National Organizations Dedicated to Military Spouses

Here are several reputable organizations that provide programs, resources, and community for military spouses:

  1. Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) Provides networking, professional development, and advocacy opportunities for spouses nationwide. 
  2. National Military Family Association (NMFA) Offers grants, scholarships, spouse employment resources, and support programs. 
  3. Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) Connects spouses with employers nationwide who are committed to hiring military spouses. 
  4. Blue Star Families Provides resources, events, and research to help spouses and military families thrive. 
  5. Operation Homefront Offers financial support, housing assistance, and family programs that benefit military spouses and families. 
  6. Military Spouse Jobs Provides career resources and networking opportunities tailored to military spouses.
     Website 
  7. SpouseBuzz / Military Spouse Network Community platforms offering advice, career support, and social connections. 

How to Honor and Support Military Spouses

Conclusion
Military spouses provide quiet yet essential service to the armed forces. By recognizing their contributions, providing resources, and offering tangible support, we strengthen both the families and the broader military community. Honoring and assisting military spouses is a vital part of showing respect for the sacrifices that come with service.

Military spouses deserve the same support and recognition as the service members they stand beside. Mission Roll Call connects spouses with resources for mental health, career development, and family support through its national Resource Directory, helping them find trusted programs no matter where military life takes them.

Veterans have given so much of their time, energy, and sacrifice in service to our country. Sometimes the simplest gestures can mean the most. Below are 11 meaningful ways to say “thank you” to a veteran — from personal acts of kindness to nationwide programs that make a real difference.

1. Write a Personal Thank-You Note

A handwritten letter or card expressing genuine appreciation can be incredibly meaningful. Mentioning specific freedoms or opportunities you’re thankful for personally goes a long way.
Tip: Organizations like A Million Thanks collect letters of gratitude and deliver them to active-duty service members and veterans.

2. Support Veteran-Owned Businesses

Shop at, dine in, or hire veteran-owned companies. Your purchases directly support veterans’ livelihoods.
Try: Use the Buy Veteran Directory from the National Veteran-Owned Business Association to find businesses near you.

3. Volunteer with a Veterans Organization

Offering your time can mean just as much as donating money. Check out Mission Roll Call’s Veteran Resource Directory to find trusted organizations to volunteer through.

4. Attend or Organize a Veterans Event

Show up at local or national ceremonies, parades, or community events on November 11 and throughout the year.
Find events: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Events Calendar lists nationwide Veterans Day and remembrance gatherings.

5. Offer Your Skills or Services

If you’re a professional in finance, legal aid, healthcare, or home repair, offer free or discounted services to veterans.
Idea: Partner with Hire Heroes USA, which helps veterans transition to civilian careers.

6. Spend Time Listening

Invite a veteran for coffee or lunch and ask about their story — then truly listen. Sometimes the best “thank you” is genuine attention and respect.

7. Fly the American Flag Respectfully and Proudly

Displaying the flag properly, especially on Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day, shows your pride and appreciation.
Learn more: The American Legion’s Flag Etiquette Guide explains how to display the flag correctly.

8. Support Veterans’ Mental Health Initiatives

Help break the stigma by supporting or advocating for programs that provide mental-health care for veterans.
Programs to support:

9. Invite a Veteran to Share Their Story at a School or Community Event

Sharing personal stories helps preserve history and fosters understanding across generations.
Resource: Nominate a veteran—or even yourself—to be honored on our platform. Share their story and help us celebrate their service and sacrifice.

10. Include Veterans in Everyday Community Activities

Inclusion is one of the simplest ways to show appreciation. Invite veterans to join neighborhood projects, book clubs, or volunteer efforts.
Organization spotlight: Team Rubicon engages veterans in disaster-response missions worldwide.

11. Say “Thank You for Your Service”

Never underestimate the power of a sincere “thank you.” When you meet a veteran, eye contact and gratitude can go a long way.

Conclusion

Every veteran’s story is unique, and so is the way they receive thanks. Whether you write a note, attend a parade, or simply say, “Thank you for your service,” every gesture matters. By supporting veteran-focused organizations and practicing everyday gratitude, we strengthen the bond between those who served and the nation they defended.

If this list inspired you, share it with friends or post it on social media this November. Encourage others to pick one of these 11 ways and act on it. Gratitude becomes more powerful when it’s shared — let’s keep saying “thank you,” not just in words, but in action.

Turn gratitude into action with Mission Roll Call. Saying “thank you” is powerful, but listening and acting alongside veterans is even more meaningful. Mission Roll Call gives every veteran a voice in shaping the policies and programs that impact their lives. When you join, you’re not just expressing gratitude — you’re helping ensure veterans are heard, valued, and supported long after their service ends.

Join the movement. Stand with those who served. Share your voice with MissionRollCall.org to get involved today.

When you don’t have a dedicated caregiver, it can feel like you’re going it alone. You may be wondering: who’s going to check in? Who’s going to make sure I’m okay when things get heavy? The good news is, you don’t have to rely solely on a traditional caregiver model. Community is care. For veterans, peer networks and veteran-led groups are proving to be powerful alternatives or complements to formal caregiving.

Why community-based support matters

Veterans often find healing in connection with people who “get it” and have walked the same path. Peer-to-peer programs have been shown to offer real benefits. For example, a study found that veterans identified peer support as offering social support, a sense of purpose, hope, and normalization of symptoms

Another study showed that community-based peer networks helped with reintegration into civilian life. These programs improve social support, enhance coping, and strengthen community connection. 

In short, if you don’t have a caregiver, a support circle built from peers, veteran-led groups, or community networks can help fill the gap.

What types of support exist when caregiving isn’t available

How to build your own informal “care network”

You’re not alone, and you don’t need a traditional caregiver to get support

Not having a caregiver doesn’t mean you’re unsupported. Veterans supporting veterans, and communities embracing shared purpose, offer a powerful alternative. Research shows that peer-led and veteran-led networks improve belonging, reduce isolation, and enhance well-being.

Start today by taking one small action: join a veteran peer group, ask a fellow veteran to be your weekly check-in buddy, or attend a local veteran gathering. Your community is out there. Building your own support team is not only possible — it’s powerful.

Need a place to begin? Explore Mission Roll Call’s Resource Directory to find veteran-led organizations, mental health services, peer networks, and local support programs near you. Whether you’re looking for a group to join or help with navigating your next step, this directory is a great place to start connecting with the care and community you deserve.

 

Veteran suicide rates have remained stubbornly flat for nearly two decades despite billions invested and countless initiatives. The current model largely waits until veterans are already in crisis, and by then, the tools left are prescriptions and clinical interventions that treat symptoms but rarely restore purpose and connection. At Mission Roll Call, we believe it is time to test a different path.

In Part One of this series, we saw the cost of lost camaraderie. Veterans told us they miss the team, struggle to build new networks, and often lack healthy outlets for stress. Nearly all agreed that structured opportunities for connectedness are essential. Without them, isolation grows, stress compounds, and too many veterans arrive at the VA only when a crisis is at their doorstep.

Part Two asks the next question: what would it look like to act Left of Clinical—to create preventive opportunities for connection, service, and purpose before the prescription pad comes out? Our survey results outline what veterans want, what keeps them from joining today, and what would make participation possible. The answers are clear, practical, and veteran-led.

Part Two: Designing Interventions Left of Clinical

Veterans told us exactly the kinds of interventions they would choose. When asked what preventive wellness opportunities mattered most, the top answers were physical fitness and outdoor activities, community service projects, peer mentorship groups, and creative or skill-based workshops.

These are not exotic solutions. They are the same habits that keep people healthier across all populations: exercise, social connection, meaningful activity, and self-expression. Veterans are pointing to everyday practices that build resilience — only they want them structured, accessible, and veteran-oriented. Independent research from Frontiers in Psychology also confirms that peer- and group-oriented programs have been shown to reduce loneliness and increase purpose and engagement among veterans.

What Keeps Veterans Out

So why aren’t more already engaged in these activities? The biggest barrier, by far, was lack of awareness. More than half of respondents (53.7 percent) said they simply don’t know what programs are available. Cost came next at 18.8 percent, followed by scheduling conflicts (11.3 percent) and transportation (7.5 percent).

This tells us something important: veterans are not rejecting preventive wellness. Most just don’t know it exists or can’t make it fit into their lives. The problem is not demand. The problem is design. This tracks with what we’ve reported at Mission Roll Call about awareness and navigation challenges across VA systems.

What Would Tip the Balance

We also asked what would make veterans more likely to participate. The answers clustered around four practical needs: free access, local availability, peer- or veteran-led activities, and integration with VA care. These directly mirror the barriers: address cost, geography, trust, and legitimacy, and you unlock participation.

This is not about inventing something new, and it points directly to solutions. If we want preventive wellness to be real, we don’t need to invent a new model. We need to remove the obstacles veterans themselves have identified. Independent research from RAND catalogs preventive activities where peer and community strategies complement clinical care, suggesting VA endorsement and integration can multiply impact.

The Power of VA Endorsement

Finally, we asked how likely veterans would be to join preventive wellness programs if the VA supported or endorsed them. Nearly half (48.1 percent) said “very likely,” another 33.3 percent said “somewhat likely,” and only 4.7 percent said unlikely.

That endorsement matters. It signals credibility, safety, and legitimacy. Veterans are telling us they would proactively join preventive opportunities if those opportunities existed and if the VA put its weight behind them.

This is the essence of Left of Clinical. Veterans do not want to wait for crises. They are asking for earlier options that are cheaper, healthier, and more sustainable than endless clinical interventions. Broader research also associates routine physical activity with lower rates of mental-health problems and suicidality, underscoring why fitness-based, peer programs can be smart prevention.

Why This Matters

If half of veterans are already struggling with stress or isolation, and more than 80 percent say they would likely participate in preventive programs if endorsed by the VA, then the opportunity is enormous. We can intercept isolation and despair early. We can substitute connection and purpose for medication and symptom management.

The system has never truly invested in preventive wellness, but the message from veterans is unmistakable: they are ready. In Part Three, we turn to how the VA, Congress, and community organizations can work together to build the three-legged stool that makes preventive wellness real.

 

 

 

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