Today, Congressman Cuellar (TX-28) announced an award of $353,475 in federal funds for the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG). Through the continued efforts of both Congressmen Henry Cuellar and Joaquin Castro (TX-20), these funds will be used to help senior veterans in Bexar County. This award comes from the Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) Senior Corps Choose Home Senior Demonstration Program in partnership with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). 

Specifically, this funding will support the local program over a three-year period during which approximately 45 veteran volunteers will be recruited to provide services to a minimum of 45 senior veteran households in Bexar County. This will help foster an engaged community of veterans to assist Bexar County’s senior veteran community with various obstacles in their daily lives.

CNCS Senior Corps Choose Home Program

The CNCS Senior Corps Choose Home Program seeks to create a comprehensive integrated service delivery model for senior veterans, allowing them to “Choose Home” rather than costly nursing care. Senior Corps volunteers assist homebound, elderly veterans navigate the VA benefits system, with daily living tasks and perform chores such as grocery shopping, bill paying, home maintenance, and transportation to medical appointments or social events. By providing a consistent presence in their lives, the Senior Corps volunteers are also able to alert doctors and family members to potential medical issues. As a result of this assistance, senior veterans’ primary caregivers receive much-needed respite.

Impact on Bexar County

Bexar County is home to more than 153,000 veterans, one of the largest populations of veterans in any county nationwide. As of 2016, more than 30% of Bexar County veterans were age 65 or older, which represents 50% of Bexar County’s senior population, indicating a great need for VA services and aging services geared specifically for veterans. The volunteers will be able to provide solutions to many of the issues these senior veterans experience.

“I have been a longtime supporter of our retired armed forces and the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Congressman Cuellar. “We owe it to our veterans to make sure they are taken care of when they return home. That is why it is essential that we honor their service by providing veterans with the care and services they need to succeed and thrive in the community.”

Congressman Cuellar added, “I want to thank Rep. Joaquin Castro for his leadership and support on this issue. I also want to thank the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the Veteran Health Administration, and all the volunteers who are part of this project for their commitment to serve our veterans in Bexar County.” 

“As Military City USA, we must continue advocating for our men and women in uniform especially when they return home. I welcome the Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) tremendous grant that will help AACOG and the Senior Corps Choose Home Demonstration Program take on a larger scope to support our veterans and place them with committed senior volunteers to assist them with their daily needs,” said Congressman Castro.

Congressman Castro added, “We must ensure our veterans receive all the necessary services needed upon return, and I thank all those who are helping forge important bonds within our community and serve our veterans just as they served our nation.”

Diane Rath, Executive Director of the Alamo Area Council of Governments said, “AACOG is delighted to bring this wonderful concept to our Alamo Region. Our agency already offers services to both of these groups, and bringing them together in comradery and companionship makes perfect sense. We hope to grow this program, to do good for many folks and many years to come.” 

Congressman Henry Cuellar announces $353,475 in federal funds for the AACOG on Tuesday in San Antonio. Pictured from left to right are: Grants and Outreach Coordinator for the Office of Congressman Joaquin Castro, Benjamin Whitehead, Senior Director of Operations of AACOG Stella Garcia, Program Volunteer Gloria Estrello, U.S. Navy Veteran Gerald Bennett, Congressman Henry Cuellar, and the Director of Aging Programs Gloria Vasquez.