Press Items: Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa — District 20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2026
AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) held a check presentation for grant recipients of the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance awards in South Texas as part of the Grants Across Texas Tour. Governor Greg Abbott joined TVC leadership to announce the 25 grants totaling $5,887,000. The event took place at the Cameron County Veterans County Office in Brownsville.
The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) was established by the 80th Texas Legislature in 2007 to address the needs of Texas veterans and their families. The fund is financed mainly through lottery ticket sales. TVC awards FVA grants to eligible organizations, local government agencies, and Veteran Service Organizations that run veteran specific programs and services.
“I appreciate Governor Abbott, TVC Chair Laura Koerner, and Executive Director Colonel Thomas Palladino for coming to the Rio Grande Valley to present these grants in support of our veterans,” said Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. “These grants make a real difference in the lives of veterans and their families. I commend every organization that applied and received funding. They’re on the front lines caring for those who fought for our country.”
Grant programs include: Veteran County Office funding for financial assistance and non-clinical mental health services; the General Assistance Program, covering food and meal services, Housing for Texas Heroes, elder care, trade skills training, and pro bono legal services; and financial assistance for Veteran Treatment Court programs. In total, TVC received $100.4 million in appropriations from the Texas Legislature for state grant programs for the 2026-27 biennium.
In May, TVC Commissioners approved 190 grants totaling more than $40.8 million to 160 organizations across Texas. These grants are expected to provide direct services to more than 125,600 veterans, their dependents, and surviving spouses statewide. Veterans who need assistance can find local organizations and contact information through the Grant Services Directory.
| Grantee | Program | Sub Program | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Corpus Christi | General Assistance Program | Food Meals Services | $300,000 |
| Coastal Bend Council of Governments | General Assistance Program | Elder Care | $200,000 |
| Community Action Corporation of South Texas | General Assistance Program | Housing for Texas Heroes | $124,000 |
| Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coastal Bend | General Assistance Program | Housing for Texas Heroes | $350,000 |
| Goodwill Industries of South Texas | General Assistance Program | Trade Skills Training | $200,000 |
| Hidalgo County (VCO) | Veteran County Office Funding | Housing for Texas Heroes — VCO | $400,000 |
| Hidalgo County (VCO Non-Clinical) | Veteran County Office Funding | Non-Clinical Mental Health — VCO | $200,000 |
| Hidalgo County Community Service Agency | General Assistance Program | Financial Assistance | $400,000 |
| Nueces County | Veteran Treatment Court Program | Veteran Treatment Court | $200,000 |
| Texas RioGrande Legal Aid | General Assistance Program | Pro Bono Legal Services | $215,000 |
| The Salvation Army — Corpus Christi | General Assistance Program | Financial Assistance | $200,000 |
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