Community Impact Statement
Through our monthly meeting, social media, and email
- A collaboration of over 300 members. We represent non-profits, churches, businesses, veteran orgs, and governmental agencies.
- Organizational Facebook had over 700,000 organic reaches in 2019 and emails that reach Montgomery, Houston, Stewart, Davidson, Rutherford, and Dickson County, including Ft. Campbell, Chattanooga, Jackson, and Christian County, KY.
- Created a previously non-existent vehicle to serve as a flow of veteran information.
- We have consistent organizational representation at our monthly meetings.
- Each month our meeting provides a presentation or class, networking, resourcing, and an open discussion to identify and create solutions for veteran issues and gaps in service.
- Suicide Prevention Classes
- Has created a true helping alliance
Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Before PPE was made available, arranged for masks to be sewn and distributed to community workers and our homeless population.
- Worked with community partners to locate and distribute PPE, food, and water to those in need.
- Collaborated with Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) and state legislators to request an executive order from the governor to increase the number of available telehealth mental service providers due to the rising demand during the pandemic.
Advocacy
- Passed 7 to 8 new pieces of legislation through our partnership with MOAA, (Military Officers Association of America), in areas of employment, mental health, education, property tax, and state veterans’ homes.
- Partnered with MOAA over a 3 year period to host over 650 veterans for a Veterans Day on the Hill to advocate for veterans rights at the state capitol.
- Brought together state veteran organizations to advocate for chosen veteran legislation throughout the legislative session. This group of 12 veteran specific organizations, TNVET, is now an independent organization whose creation filled a gap in services.
- We represent a veteran voice on multiple committees and boards both throughout the local community and state.
- Suicide prevention through the Executive Director serving on the Clarksville Suicide Prevention Alliance stemming from VA’s Mayor’s Suicide Prevention Challenge.
Veteran Business Project
- Partners with various agencies to support veteran entrepreneurs in receiving business education and veteran specific resources.
- Bring attention to veteran owned businesses.
Community Education, Networking, and Presentation Events
- We work with community partners to create and host community education events on topics relevant to our community, with up to 100 attendees.
- Actively submit articles in local media on relevant veteran topics.
- The Coalition has networking only evening events for Coalition members, those wanting to help veterans, and veteran owned businesses. These are hosted at various veteran owned businesses.
- Annually partner with Visit Clarksville and AARP for a 5-day Welcome Home Celebration. Hosting 45,000 veterans in a 3-year period.
- Education page with links and with videos by local subject matter experts
Website Resources
- Online searchable resource guide available to the entire community
- Includes member list, organizational list, and 300 pages of available resources.
- Events Calendar
- Education page with links and videos by local subject matter experts.
- Member resource needs are directed to the ED when not found in the directory.
- While direct service is not our specific mission, we do not turn a veteran family away and the ED will step in complicated cases that require multiple organizations or difficult to locate resources.
