Mobilize for Veterans

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💬 Call to Action

​“Clay County veteran needs deserves to be identified as a priority need in the next 5-Year CDBG Plan.”

🔥 How You Can Help

We don’t need everyone to do everything — but we do need everyone to do something. You can help by:

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👉 Attending/speak at public hearings👉 Sharing this message👉 Inviting other veterans👉 Connecting us with organizations👉 Volunteering with the effort

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Even showing up once makes a difference.

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🎯 The Mission

 

Ask Clay County Leaders to identify "Veterans Needs" as a Priority Need in the next 2026–2031 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Plan.

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If it’s included → funding becomes possible

If it’s not → we wait another 5 years

 

💥 Why This Matters

We already know the need is real:

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• Veterans are struggling to access benefits, technology, and experiencing isolation

• Families and caregivers need support

• No centralized hub in Clay County

• No acknowledgement that census data doesn't paint a true picture of the veteran population in Clay County. Doesn't account for Cold War Veterans, no accounting for active and reserve component service members, retirees, and family members living in Clay County.

 

This plan is about building something permanent — that provides:

✔ VA benefits assistance ✔ Workforce and job support ✔ Community connection ✔ Nonprofit partner services ✔ Equipment and resource support  ✔ Events, workshops, and camaraderie & more

 

📅 What Happens Next

From now through July, mobilize for veterans is:

• Building a coalition of 25–40 organizations

• Raising awareness across the community

• Bringing veterans to public hearings - June and July 2026!

• Showing the county this is a priority

   

​Now is the time to tell your story.  Your testimony could prevent others from flailing around without support.  

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• Caregiver agony:

  • Veteran going without bathing for almost two weeks because THEY HAD NO IDEA THEY QUALIFIED FOR HOME SERVICES! He became a fall risk and she couldn't pick him up.

  • Over 24 years as a caregiver to Military Retiree, never used the VA, never knew about services available to their family until SHE started to become ill because of burnout and stress and could no longer care for her veteran spouse.

  • Veteran gave up everything to take care of their elderly parents, then were homeless after parents passed away!

  • Veteran injured so severely cannot take care of themselves, separated from the military - NOT medically retired! Parents are facing eviction due to medical costs. Didn't know about caregiver programs.

• Claims disenfranchisement:

  • Veteran told his disability wasn't connected but after the PACT ACT it was! 

  • Caregiver told not eligible for programs, they were!

  • Veteran applied for compensation and denied years ago; didn't reapply after PACT ACT; passed away and now his spouse is not eligible for VA programs.

• Suicidal Ideation: Clay County veterans are isolating at home, not able to find purpose, thinking about how it would be better for everyone if they weren't here anymore.

• Food insecurity: Many families seeking assistance through local food banks, they make "too much" to qualify for SNAP but they have to choose between feeding their children and paying for gas to go to work.

• Homelessness:

  • 80 plus years old and suddenly homeless and living in their car!

  • Veteran on limited income. Significant home repair cascades into possible eviction, health deterioration, and ruined relationships.

  • Transitioning service member chose to move to Clay County, not able to make the connections needed for employment, almost losing everything, choosing to live in their car.

  • Living in an unsafe home because they cannot afford to move, getting sicker every day.

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Our Campaign Strategy:

 

https://www.clayveterans.com/_files/ugd/dfa82a_f8ad9027c35543d2b81eefaa9c866724.pdf