If you are a Veteran looking to heal and network with a group of wonderful individuals, then Alabama Veteran is the organization you are looking for. I had the privilege to be apart of two events that were life changing not just for me, but many around me. I encourage you not to have any expectations before you attend your next event and you will have a great time.
Alabama Veteran is consistently offering opportunities to Birmingham’s Veterans. Specifically, Top Golf has been used for personal and professional outings for my family and my ANG Team—this allowed us to have time together at Top Golf, laugh, connect, & enjoy the experience without cost of renting the bay. This opportunity would not be possible without the support of Alabama Veteran.
There are emails repeatedly received for unique opportunities to watch the USFL, events at Protective Life stadium, & now the World Games because of the tremendous efforts of Alabama Veteran.
Lastly, their leadership team ensures you are taken care of. Whether it’s Alan Cook getting you connected to the person to get it squared away or Erin Thompson following up to ensure your experience is smooth, the team makes you feel like you are a part of their team. This feeling of connect and care is the critical link that makes me proud to share a positive review for Alabama Veteran.
5 years ago I was chosen as an honoree to attend the inaugural weekend retreat and play in a Golf Tournament dedicated to honoring our fallen Veterans along with Gold Star family members. Since that first event, I have been able to assist with other events, along with helping to coordinate and lead groups of Veterans who are struggling with the demons that we battle daily! Alabama Veteran has not only helped to connect multiple veterans, but helped me to have a purpose in life once again. To assist my fellow Warriors in seeing their true potential and let them know they are not alone in their fight.
Great platform to help veterans. I witnessed several veterans relax and open up and get some pinned up emotions and stress off their chest.
Alabama Veteran is one of the top veteran organizations that I have been involved with. It is a great way for Veterans to meet and communicate with one another.
For veterans who have isolated or withdrawn, Alabama Veteran is a great organization for Veterans to regain the comradery we once had in the military. I've been to several Alabama Veteran events including two Warrior Retreats. I was a participant in the first retreat. It was amazing to share my story and honestly was able to get things off my shoulders that I had been carrying for a long time. My brothers were there to pick me up and walk with me. I just returned from another retreat where I got to help. Being there and helping veterans open up and get real with each other was awesome. Healing took place. Alabama Veteran always goes above and beyond, and for a volunteer workforce, you won't find that in any government funded organization. I am glad to be part of Alabama Veteran and want to do more for my fellow veterans. I want to see Alabama Veteran expand and help more veterans. I want to be part of that.
Being Veteran from a non-combatant era, there are still demons that haunt me and spending the weekend when the the men at the Alabama Veterans Warrior Retreat help open me up to changing the way I think.
Excellent! It was amazing to see how each person would open up and share thoughts and feelings creating in turn a pathway to healing.
As a point of contact for Central Alabama Veterans Collaborative, of which Alabama Veteran (AV) is a partner, I have had the distinct pleasure of working with its board members and other volunteers on many occasions during the past 3.5 years to provide support to veterans and their families.
I do not know of another non-profit that does as much for as many veterans in Alabama!!
Whether it's the Facebook page where vets can seek or provide info among 7,000+ peers, providing financial or other assistance, Warrior Retreats, social activities, hosting Family Day at the park, or whatever, Alabama Veteran has an extremely passionate cadre of volunteers dedicated to helping veterans and families improve their lives.
Alabama Veteran delivers its mission, vision, and values every day though a team of committed men and women, thus making it a huge asset to the State of Alabama.
Brian Crawford
Co-founder & Leader
Central Alabama Veterans Collaborative
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Alabama Veteran (ALVet) is a highly effective and successful 501(c)3 that serves veterans, active service, National Guard, Reserves, and their families throughout Alabama. It hosts both public and a private group Facebook pages, as well as a website. The private page has more than 6,700 members and is a “go to” source for the military community to reminisce, find resources – referrals for home/auto repairs, contractors, VA info, and a variety of other needs, or just to express themselves. FB members and board of directors have connected a number of veterans with employment opportunities and also have moved household items for those unable to do so for themselves.
The Private Group FB page livestreams monthly meetings and town halls for the Central Alabama Veterans Collaborative (CAVC) to disseminate useful information to veterans around the state. CAVC is comprised of more than 85 non-profits, federal and state agencies and programs, and a variety of other entities with a mission to inform the military community of traditional and non-traditional services available to them, as well as to provide needed assistance from its partners.
ALVet has donated furniture, appliances, bought groceries, paid utility bills, repaired automobiles, and provided other items to veterans legitimately in need of assistance. All who request assistance are vetted to verify their military status, circumstances, and commitment to help themselves “to get back on their feet”. Volunteers from FB members and its board of directors have connected a unable to do so for themselves.
The non-profit holds social activities for vets and families. Smaller ones include movie night, Taco night, some of larger ones of which are depicted by attached flyers.
Alabama Veteran is 100% committed to the veteran population of Alabama, pays no salaries, and charges no dues to its "members". It's a VERY VAULABLE asset to the community and state.
Alabama Veteran has grown from about local veterans to THOUSANDS in just a few years. This organization is the place where a veteran can find just about whatever he/she needs. Do you need to talk to someone? Post that need, and dozens of people will respond immediately. Do you need a job? Post your credentials and someone will know who is hiring. Are you a company who needs employees? Post your need, and highly qualified veterans will fill those needs. Do you need money for rent? Food? Transportation? A home? I've seen Alabama Veteran members provide ALL that. NO strings attached. I've seen a post that someone ran out of gas somewhere in the Alabama wilderness. He posted that he needed help, and at least 8 replies said, "Where are you, Buddy? I'm on my way with gas." There is not another veterans organization that fosters as much camaraderie, sharing, and assistance. If you served in the military, you are a member of a unique and special "fraternity", and Alabama Veteran is where you belong.
I have participated by volunteering for such an awesome organization! Alabama Veteran Board has shown the heart that is behind the support of our troops and their families! They continue to strive to raise awareness and provide for the needs of those veterans that might be overlooked, forgotten, and are unable to provide for themselves! I am proud to be a part of giving back to those that have Sacrificed so much! Thank you for those that have served, and thank you to the families that have sacrificed along side their Alabama Veteran! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I am not a Veteran. But I have always believed in supporting, caring for, helping one on one or groups.
I found that the Veterans I thought I was helping, helped me more than I could have dreamed.
The people who give their life for service are selfless.
Daniel Williams, Matt Schlagenhauf, Casey Culp and Daniel Lauderdale gave me so much insight into what it means to be brothers.
Humbly, Ron Williams
Truly the best organization out there!! Had a lot of good times with my brothers in arms!! Really helps soldier’s with the transition to civilian life.
I started as a volunteer and moved to an ambassador then became the south regional ambassador. I don't even know what year it all started but one thing is for sure I'm blessed to be part of such a fine group of fellow veterans. I've helped with all kinds of work for vets, to questions to guiding them in the right direction to assisting with wheelchair ramps and a mobility chair. The greatest part is getting a hug or handshake and watching the smile. Some have even cried.. Christmas time this past year I was able to be part of blessing a Vietnam veteran that needed a blessing. Helping other veteran organizations has been called upon and it was an honor to help with those. This is absolutely a blessing to be a part of to just help with a servants heart. God knew I needed fellow veterans as well. I'm thankful for every donor or volunteer state wide. It's a great networking tool on Facebook also for veterans all over the state. Burning midnight oil with fellow veterans is the greatest honor I've had 22 a day is too many.
Alabama Veteran will forever hold a special place in my heart. This group right here has made such an impact on my life either directly or indirectly thru other programs. The members of AV truly have a servants heart.
Amazing organization that truly cares about veterans. They help in any way needed whether that’s furniture, hosting events for vets to get together, expenses/ bills, emotional well being and all.
I had a great time! The organization is very professional with awesome veterans and the Soggy Bottom Lodge was top of the line.
Alabama Veteran is a a wealthy source for Veterans to turn too for mentoring, camaraderie, fellowship with all branches of the services, sharing information and getting help. Donations are used for the greater good of the Veterans. 100% needed!
I am a Iraq Combat Veteran diagnosed with PTSD. I had struggled with suicidal ideology as a child that led to my first suicide attempt at 16 years old. After returning from combat in Iraq, I was lost and trying to find answers in the bottom of every bottle or with multiple women (I was married). After my second divorce from my daughters mother, I also became a survivor of Narcissist abuse and was alienated from my daughter by her mother. I came across Alabama Veteran (A.V.) in mid 2015 and was finally able to open up enough to talk about what I had been bottling up at a Warrior Retreat with A.V. That helped me gain some healing and was probably the catalyst that led me to seeking complete healing. I know longer desire to die and I love my life, while it’s not without struggle I have learned to struggle well instead of suffering. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to open up and not only gain healing for myself but also to be able to help others also start their healing process as well. It’s not about what is wrong with me but what happened to me.
The veteran suicide rate is unacceptable, and Alabama Veteran has created a group of veterans and supporters who go above and beyond in providing an atmosphere for veterans to heal and grow. They do this through social media, organized events, and even in helping others recover during local, state and federal national disasters.
This amazing group has helped us connect with service members and Veterans in need. Those needs go beyond just the typical ask for help fixing something in a home, or a resource. These needs are emotional and spiritual. Many veterans have posted how they are struggling with various issues in their life, suicidal thoughts, homelessness, drug addiction, loss of hope, disability, broken families. This amazing forum and group has allowed real people to witness these needs and step up to help those going through some of the most difficult times of their life. I have personally witnessed the impact the group has made in our State, and in the lives of MANY Veterans. Encouraging the heart goes a long way in this world, and this forum provides that. Lives of these Veterans have changed because of the support they are given. They are now they are working, thriving and giving back. Everybody goes through challenging times, but it is very rare to find a safe place where you will find support to pull you out of those dark places, Alabama Veteran is one of those safe places.