Military Matters

There are various support groups and organizations in Northern Nevada. Local businesses provide discounts and deals when active-duty military and veterans show valid identification.

The Adopt a Vet Dental Program is a non-profit dental program that offers free dental care to low-income veterans that lack dental insurance and do not qualify for VA dental care. Contact Heather Borkowski at (775) 470-8707 or at heather.borkowski@aavdp.com.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. Contact Sara Clow at (714) 270-4111 or at sacrenoafsp@gmail.com.

The City of Reno offers adaptive recreation programs, classes and services to people with disabilities. Contact Anthony Goulet at gouleta@reno.gov.

The Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation is a private charitable foundation based in Incline Village. The Duffields are long-time benefactors of companion animal causes and also focuses their philanthropic efforts in other areas that they are passionate about including supporting military veterans and giving back to their local community. Reach out to Kimberly Pickens at (775) 461-2707 or kimberly@dcdfoundation.org.

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a veteran's fraternal organization that advocates for veterans through legislation and by assisting them with the claims process associated with benefits administered by the VA Benefits Administration. Contact Maria Ruvalcalva at dav.vbaren.va.gov.

Hands of Hope Food Bank is open every Tuesday through Thursday at 2360 Valley Road, Reno, NV 89512. You can contact them at (775) 553-0563 or (775) 300-6395.

The HUD-VASH is a Veterans Housing Assistance program that helps veterans move into Section 8 housing with the intent of preventing homelessness. Contact Tanya Jolley at (775) 786-7200 x6438 or at tanya.jolley@va.gov.

The Nevada Department of Veteran Services Outreach is the state's primary veteran's advocacy organization helping to connect veterans and their families to the benefits they earned through service. This includes but is not limited to Claims Assistance, Skilled Nursing Facilities, the veteran cemeteries, and various educational programs. Contact Jim Richardson at (775) 560-9080 or at richardsonj@veterans.nv.gov.

The Northern Nevada Wheelchair Program helps to assist veterans and their families in need of mobility equipment whether it's wheelchairs or walkers. Contact Daniel Walker at (760) 500-0857 or dwalker7268@gmail.com.

Truckee Meadows Community College is home to the Upward Bound Program which is a grant funded program that helps veterans who are first generation college students prepare for their college education without the need to expend their education benefits. Contact Robert Hernandez or Mike Malloy at (775) 829-9007 or at rhernandez@tmcc.edu or mmalloy@tmcc.edu.

The University of Nevada, Reno Veteran Services works to assist student veterans and military family members with their federal and state educational benefits and helps connect them to ancillary resources as requested by the students. UNR Veteran Services also offers their student veterans tools for educational success and a space to connect with one another. Contact John Pratt at (775) 682-8040 or jlpratt@unr.edu.

The Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation helps veterans redevelop work skills necessary for finding gainful employment. Contact Theodore Thompson at theodore.thompson@va.gov or Stephanie Pulsfus at stephanie.pulsfus2@va.gov. Call the VA at (775) 324-6600 x6435.

The Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention facilitates the integration of suicide prevention education throughout the community and organizes community partners/coalitions to implement suicide prevention programs aimed at reducing veteran suicide. Contact Spring Myers at (772) 786-7200 x6578 or spring.myers@va.gov.

The Veterans Benefit Administration administers the VA Benefits outside the scope of the health and cemetery administration. The most common of these are: VA Disability Compensation, the GI Bill, VA Funeral Reimbursements, etc. Contact Garth Lerg at (775) 321-4852 or garth.lerg@va.gov.

The Veteran's Guest House began in response to the growing need for overnight lodging for veterans seeking medical care in the Reno/Sparks area. Today, the house can serve 33 individuals every night, helping to improve the health of veterans and their families. Visit them at 880 Locust Street Reno, NV 89502. You can contact them at (775)324-6958 or info@veteransguesthouse.org.

Work for Warriors is a National Guard sponsored Veterans Employment Assistance Program that helps veterans and their spouses with resume writing and connecting them to potential employment opportunities. Contact Jay Baker at (775) 384-5812 or james.baker@workforwarriorsnv.gov.