Hays County Veterans organizations receive grants from the Texas Veterans Commission

Sierra Martin | Managing Editor

HAYS COUNTY – On Wednesday, Sept. 15, the Texas Veterans Commission presented $6.8 million in grant funding to local organizations with an oversized check to fund veteran services and assistance programs.

The Hays County Veterans Treatment Court and the Hope4 Hays Vets program (through the Hays County Veteran Services Office) were two of the recipients of grant funding from the Texas Veterans Commission.

Texas Veterans Commission check for $6,830,000. Photo credited to Sierra Martin.

The Hays County Veterans Service Office was awarded $100,000 in general assistance grant funds for Veterans, dependents and surviving spouses in Hays County.

Hays County Veterans Services Officer Jude Prather accepted the check for his office, which will help veterans and their families pay their mortgages and keep a roof over their heads.

“Two words that should never be in the same sentence- homeless and veteran,” said Prather. “Programs like this help prevent our veterans from ending up on the streets.”

The Hays County Veterans Treatment Court received $300,000 to assist Veterans across three counties within the Central Texas Region.

Hays County Judge Chris Johnson said that the money received by the grant is essential to running the Treatment Court.

“We get to provide very unique services that you don’t find anywhere else in the criminal justice system, through this grant,” said Judge Johnson.

Judge Johnson anticipates the county can help around 100 to 150 Veterans with the money received through the grant. 

“It’s a long uphill struggle and having resources there that are dedicated and always available really does matter (to the Veterans),” said Judge Johnson. 

Laura Koerner, Chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Commission, presented the $6.8 million in large checks. A list of the organizations receiving grant funding and the representative who accepted the check is listed below:

Armstrong Community Music School

• • • $20,000 Veterans Mental Health grant funds Clinical Counseling services for Veterans throughout Texas
    • Accepting check: Director of Development Heather Arnos

Bell County Veterans Treatment Court

• • • $30,000 Veterans Treatment Court grant funds Treatment Court services for Veterans across 3 counties within the Central Texas Region.

Williamson County Veterans Treatment Court

• • • $30,000 Veterans Treatment Court grant funds Treatment Court services for Veterans in Williamson County.

Skillpoint Alliance

• • • $50,000 General Assistance grant funds Employment Support services for Veterans across 30 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting check: Executive Director Kevin Brackmeyer

Travis County Veterans Treatment Court

• • • $50,000 Veterans Treatment Court grant funds Treatment Court services for Veterans in Travis County
    • Accepting check: Veterans Court Administrator Jolene Grajczyk

Burnet County

• • • $75,000 General Assistance grant funds Transportation Programs and Services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses across 3 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting check: VETRIDE Program Director Sophie McCoy

Hays County Veterans Service Office

• • • $100,000 General Assistance grant funds Financial Assistance services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses in Hays County.
    • Accepting check: Veterans County Service Officer Jude Prather

Rock, Ride on Center for Kids

• • • $100,000 Veterans Mental Health grant funds Clinical Counseling services for Veterans and Dependents across 7 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting check: CEO/Founder Nancy Krenek

Caritas of Austin

• • • $75,000 General Assistance grant funds Financial Assistance services for Veterans and Dependents across 3 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • $50,000 Veterans Mental Health grant funds Peer Support Services for Veterans and Dependents in 3 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting check: Grants Coordinator Sidney Smith

Bring Everyone In The Zone, Inc.

• • • $150,000 General Assistance grant funds Financial Assistance services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses across 14 counties within the Central Texas Region.

Comal County Veterans Treatment Court

• • • $150,000 Veterans Treatment Court grant funds Treatment Court services for Veterans in Comal County.
    • Accepting Check: Veterans Treatment Court Presiding Judge Charles A. Stephens

Fort Hood Area Habitat For Humanity

• • • $150,000 Housing for Texas Heroes grant funds Home Modification services for Veterans and Surviving Spouses across 3 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting Check: Director of Finance and HR Kristin Hannibal-Smith

Green Doors (Community Partnership for the Homeless)

• • • $150,000 General Assistance grant funds Supportive Services for Veterans and Dependents in Travis County.

McLennan County Veterans Treatment Court

• • • $150,000 Veterans Treatment Court grant funds Treatment Court services for Veterans in McLennan County.

Caritas of Waco

1. 1.  

• • • $200,000 General Assistance grant funds Supportive Services for Veterans and Surviving Spouses across 6 counties within the Central Texas Region.

Family Eldercare

• • • $200,000 General Assistance grant funds Homeless Veteran Support services for Veterans in Travis County.

Foundation Communities Inc

• • • $200,000 General Assistance grant funds Supportive Services for Veterans in Travis County. Accepting Check: Director of Institutional Giving Julie Candoli

Rebuilding Together Austin

• • • $200,000 Housing for Texas Heroes grant funds Home Modification services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses across 3 counties within the Central Texas Region.

Texas National Guard Family Support Foundation

• • • $200,000 General Assistance grant funds Financial Assistance services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses throughout Texas.
    • Accepting Check: Board Vice President Shandra Sponsler

Families In Crisis, Inc.

• • • $250,000 General Assistance grant funds Homeless Veteran Support services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses in Bell and Coryell Counties.

Operation FINALLY HOME

• • • $250,000 Housing for Texas Heroes grant funds Home Modification services for Veterans and Surviving Spouses throughout Texas.
    • Accepting Check: Founder Dan Wallrath

ANEWENTRY, Inc.

• • • $150,000 General Assistance grant funds Supportive Services for Veterans across 3 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • $150,000 Veterans Mental Health grant funds Clinical Counseling services for Veterans in 3 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting Check: Board Treasurer Meshelle Smith

Bell County Veterans Service Office

• • • $300,000 General Assistance grant funds Financial Assistance services for Veterans and Surviving Spouses in Bell County.
    • Accepting Check: Veterans County Service Officer K.C. Hawkins

Catholic Charities of Central Texas

• • • $300,000 General Assistance grant funds Financial Assistance services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses across 25 counties within the Alamo and Central Texas Regions.

Communities In Schools of Greater Central Texas, Inc.

• • • $300,000 General Assistance grant funds Supportive Services for Veterans and Dependents in Bell and Coryell Counties.

Goodwill Central Texas

• • • $300,000 General Assistance grant funds Supportive Services for Veterans and Dependents across 4 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting Check: Manager of Program Services Tess Fagle

Hays County Veterans Treatment Court

• • • $300,000 Veterans Treatment Court grant funds Treatment Court services for Veterans across 3 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting Check: Veterans Treatment Court Judge Chris Johnson

Interfaith Action of Central Texas

• • • $300,000 Housing for Texas Heroes grant funds Home Modification services for Veterans and Surviving Spouses across 4 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting Check: Program Director for Hands On Housing Deborah Schagen

Center Point Inc.

• • • $300,000 General Assistance grant funds Financial Assistance services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses across 6 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • $100,000 Veterans Mental Health grant funds Clinical Counseling services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses in 5 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting Check: Program Coordinator Maureen Sapp

Meals on Wheels Central Texas

• • • $500,000 Housing for Texas Heroes grant funds Home Modification services for Veterans and Surviving Spouses across 18 counties within the Central Texas Region.
    • Accepting Check: VP for Home Repair Charles Cloutman

Samaritan Center for Counseling and Pastoral Care, Inc.

• • • $500,000 Veterans Mental Health grant funds Clinical Counseling services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses across 13 counties within the Alamo and Central Texas Regions.
    • Accepting Check: Development Manager Josie Geck

Texas VFW Foundation

• • • $500,000 General Assistance grant funds Financial Assistance services for Veterans, Dependents, and Surviving Spouses throughout Texas.
    • Accepting Check: Veterans Assistance Program Coordinator Miles Nelson