Gov. Greg Abbott announced that $3,307,000 in Funds for Veterans’ Assistance grants have been awarded to 13 organizations in the East Texas region, according to an Aug. 6 news release from the governor’s office. Administered by the Texas Veterans Commission as part of its Grants Across Texas Tour, the funding is expected to provide services to more than 1,900 local veterans.
“Texas will always honor the sacrifices of our veterans and their families,” Governor Abbott said in the release. “These grants will provide home modifications, financial assistance, clinical counseling, and other crucial services to the brave men and women who served in our nation’s military.”
TVC Deputy Executive Director Shawn Deabay, an Army veteran, said the commission is “incredibly thankful for the organizations across East Texas that show up every day to support Texas veterans and their families,” adding that the grants help strengthen that work.
The recipients span counties and nonprofits across the region, according to the release. Cass County received $800,000 split between financial assistance and the Housing for Texas Heroes program, while Camp County received $385,000 for housing and Polk County and Trinity County each received a combined $335,000 and $289,000 for financial assistance and housing. Other awards include $200,000 each to the East Texas Veterans Community Council, Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity, and the Tender Loving Care Center for Children; $198,000 to the Deep East Texas Council of Governments; $175,000 to the East Texas Council of Governments for transportation services; $150,000 to the Andrews Center for clinical counseling; $93,000 to the Disabled American Veterans of Texas Service Foundation for pet lodging and veterinary care; and $82,000 to The Salvation Army in Lufkin.
In May, TVC commissioners approved 190 grants totaling more than $40.8 million to 160 organizations statewide, funding anticipated to serve more than 125,600 veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses, the release said. Since 2009, more than $400 million has been awarded through 1,790 Funds for Veterans’ Assistance grants supporting services from emergency financial aid and transportation to legal help, family support, and home modification. Veterans seeking assistance can find participating organizations through the commission’s Grant Services Directory.