Our vision is simple but ever so critical. We pave the way to pierce the darkness of veteran suicide by providing hope for today and a plan for tomorrow; One veteran, one day at a time.
Our mission is to empower veterans and their families to pursue purpose and passion through creativity, coaching, and camaraderie.
VetStarts is committed to researching and understanding the common issues connected with suicide; including post-traumatic stress (PTS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and depression; along with the various circumstances they stem from, their effects on the individual, and the impact that suicide has on family, friends, and the community as a whole.
Founded by U.S. Army Major Vince Leone in 2014, VetStarts paved the way for local Veterans to embark on a pursuit of purpose and passion in their "2nd Half", the civilian world.
After Vince passed away in the Fall of 2021, his daughter, Anna Leone, succeeded in his critical mission to end the tragic veteran suicide rate of 22 a day. Together, we can save lives. Join us. Support us. Some veterans gave all; All gave selflessly. Please consider giving back generously.
Impact Partners: while we aspire to serve every veteran who makes contact with us, we have key partnerships in YOUR community that we are proud to share with you.
We equip and empower Veterans, First Responders, and their families to pursue passion and purpose through creative expression, coaching, community, and camaraderie.
Did you know that more than 1.6 million veterans call Texas home; 386,358, or roughly one-fourth of all veterans statewide, live in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) area. In addition, veterans of all generations reside in this region, including approximately 57,000 post-9/11 veterans.
We have four programs currently running as well as an Army of Volunteers; Halftime for Veterans, Warrior Art, Mission Builders, and Vietnam Strong PTSD Bible Study/Peer-to-Peer. VetStarts programs are available at no cost to veterans of all ages, their families, and first responders.
Objective 1:
Our flagship program, Halftime for Veterans, is designed to reach some of the 386,358 veterans in our community, empowering, equipping, and inspiring them to pursue purpose and passion for marching forward within our civilian world with continued significance.
It will combine key program elements from The Halftime Institute and collaborations with other veteran-owned businesses and VSOs with thought-provoking hands-on activities, including round tables, whiteboarding, and creating your life game plan.
These 8-hour cohorts operate throughout the year but are strategically scheduled in groups of 10 or more to emphasize camaraderie and accountability. Additionally, after completion, "Halftimers" are rewarded the opportunity to participate in VetStarts Missions, a veteran-led build of a home for a family living in abject poverty in a third-world country.
Our goal is to raise $40,000 for this program.
Objective 2:
The most remarkable thing happens when you introduce our brave to creative opportunities. They mentally and emotionally bloom.
No experience is required! We host Warrior Art workshops for up to 10 veterans and their families twice a month. Most of our workshops are non-clinical, but thanks to our local VA-funded Vet Center, we have resources in place if a social worker should be present to help with our healing lesson attached to the project. Warrior Art has proven so popular that we created a supplemental program to support and provide for our veterans who want to establish a residency. Open Art Studio gives vets the chance to come in weekly to work on an ongoing project or have the ability to start from scratch. For free as always.
Our goal for Warrior Art supplies is $26,000.
These two programs make our total goal for NTX Giving Day 2023-2024 goal $66,000. Every little bit helps!
As an organization, we present our programs without race, ethnicity, or gender orientation restrictions. VetStarts continually measures success and results one veteran, one family, one day at a time.
Our veteran community exemplifies the concept of intersectionality - veterans represent a true cross-section of the American social fabric. Identity factors like gender, race, disability, religion, and LGBTQ+ status are each a part of what makes our veteran community great.
As our broader national community wrestles with the challenges of inequality, injustice, and social impact generally - we at VetStarts are specifically committed to being a leader in creating an environment that allows our fellow organizations and the veterans they serve to flourish.
Your donation propels this critical mission forward. It helps us strengthen VetStarts by allowing our veterans to march forward in continued significance. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for being a part of the vision to bring an end to 22 a day.
Organization name
VetStarts, Inc.
Causes
Arts, Culture & Humanities, Mental/Behavioral Health, Veterans
Operating Budget
$100,000 - $249,999
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Parker, Tarrant
BIPOC Leadership
Neither/None
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
PO Box 200233