More than 100 Veteran-serving organizations gathered in Columbus, Georgia, on July 22, 2026, for an event that delivered real, measurable impact aligned with VA Secretary Collins’ priorities: healthcare enrollment, suicide and homelessness prevention, and military transition support.
Hosted in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Boulder Crest Foundation, Avalon Action Alliance and United Military Care—with support from the Bob Woodruff Foundation—the VetResources Community Network (VRCN) convening provided a forum for organizations to align their efforts on common goals and share their best practices and resources.
During the event, VA and VRCN members conducted or planned joint outreach, and have already enrolled more than 500 Veterans in VA healthcare and helped thousands to access other needed resources. The convening coincided with a Veteran outreach event so attendees could directly serve Veterans together.
“It was a last-minute decision to go to Columbus for the Veterans Resources Community Network Convening, but I’m so glad I did,” said Erin Stangland, senior manager of partnerships at ExpertVoice. “It was humbling to hear about all the work being done by so many organizations supporting Veterans and their families, and I was able to meet our fabulous VA contacts!”
Landrey Young, operation connect program manager at The Joel Fund, added, “What an incredible experience at the annual VRCN Convening! The passion and energy for service in the room was truly inspiring.”
Attendees heard from VA’s Chief Veterans Experience Officer Lynda Davis and other VA leaders, along with leaders from dozens of local and national organizations—America’s Warrior Partnership, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Student Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association, Georgia Department of Veterans Service, Wounded Warrior Project, American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, George W. Bush Institute, Shepherd Center and many others.
Panels, workshops and hands-on sessions equipped participants with practical tools, best practices and new connections they could immediately bring back to their communities.
A community network built for Veterans
VRCN serves as VA’s “front door” for community partnership, connecting more than 370 outreach partners nationwide to improve outcomes in transition, employment, healthcare enrollment, homelessness prevention, suicide prevention and more.
All Veteran-serving organizations are invited to apply for membership. VRCN increases community Veteran engagement support to local communities, facilities and external partners; it also enhances trust and access to care and benefits, shares promising practices, information and resources, and channels the Voice of the Customer through proactive outreach and communications. VRCN is VA’s front door for outreach and community engagement to co-design collaboration strategies, bridge gaps in service, maximize collective impact and breakdown silos.
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