Our Story
Founded in 2019, Stay in the Fight Veterans Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports Veterans of North Texas who have suffered some kind of injury in combat, either physical or mental, and need support to help them achieve a healthy and successful life.
These veterans are considered high risk due to their injuries, and their needs span the spectrum from homelessness all the way to job training and executive coaching, and every situation in between.
In 2024, a new board enthusiastically took the helm, dedicating themselves to understanding the world of equine therapy and the needs of justice-involved veterans within the Collin County community. Their commitment led to a highly successful rebranding event in May 2025. This event brought much-needed awareness to the many Texas veterans and their families who are on their redemption journey, reminding them that they have our unwavering support and care.
Our Programs
Rebuilding Veteran Families After Incarceration: Justice-involved veterans face a formidable challenge; not only must they navigate their own reintegration into society, but they must also repair and rebuild relationships with families often fractured by their experiences and incarceration. The existing support systems frequently address veterans and their families separately, creating fragmented care that hinders genuine reunification. This leaves families struggling to communicate, cope with past traumas, and ultimately find stability together. Without comprehensive, integrated support, the cycle of instability can persist, impacting both the veteran's long-term success and the well-being of their loved ones. To address this critical challenge, we are establishing Healing Homefronts, a program designed to support both veterans and their families simultaneously. This initiative allows families to engage in therapeutic services alongside the veteran while they address their challenges within the justice system, ultimately facilitating the smoothest possible transition back into civilian life.
Equine-assisted therapy is a powerful approach to helping veterans and their family members heal from the physical and psychological wounds of service. The program is built on the unique bond between humans and horses, which provides a non-judgmental space for healing and growth.
Through activities like therapeutic riding, horsemanship, and physical therapy with horses, participants can improve their physical and emotional well-being. The rhythmic movement of the horse can help retrain the body for better balance and motor skills.
The Justice-Involved Veterans (JIV) Assistance Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to support veterans navigating the criminal justice system. It provides vital financial assistance for essentials such as temporary housing, food, and therapy to veterans enrolled in the North Texas Regional Veterans Court or V.A.L.O.R. programs.
The V.A.L.O.R. (Veterans Accessing Lifelong Opportunities for Rehabilitation) Program is a state-funded initiative run jointly by the North Texas Regional Veterans Court, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, and other key partners.
As an in-custody facility, V.A.L.O.R. serves veteran offenders facing probation revocations or incarceration for felony and misdemeanor offenses. The program provides work opportunities and treatment alternatives, all within an environment where participants are safe to grieve, process, and heal from the invisible wounds of their service.
The North Texas Regional Veterans Court (NTVC) is a diversion program for justice-involved veterans (JIV) facing criminal prosecution. Its primary goal is to move these veterans out of the traditional criminal justice system and into a judicially supervised, individualized treatment program.
Once a veteran is screened and approved, they enter a structured program lasting between 12 and 24 months, depending on their needs and progress. Participants work with a Case Manager and are guided through a phased system, which includes creating their own treatment plan.
The program's core mission is to find, assess, and manage the care of JIVs by providing successful treatment options, such as education, counseling, and drug/alcohol monitoring. Progress is reviewed in monthly compliance hearings where incentives and sanctions are used to keep participants on track. The ultimate goal is to lead these veterans toward successful community reintegration and the resolution of their criminal case.