Rowlett, TX – I recently interviewed Michelle Curtis, the Director of the Veteran’s Resource and Outreach Center (VROC), to learn more about the incredible work they are doing for the community. The center hosts a full calendar of events throughout the month, catering to veterans and their loved ones. Inside, the VROC feels warm and inviting, with military memorabilia adorning the walls and handmade quilts and crocheted blankets neatly folded on the backs of couches. It truly feels like a home away from home. Up until recently, I hadn’t realized that such a resource was available, and I’m glad to know what we have at our fingertips for our veterans.
A few months back, while staycationing around Bass Pro, I met a local veteran celebrating his 70th birthday, Jerry Hannon. Hannon served in the Navy for twenty years before retiring in 1995. During our conversation, he shared that his birthday party that weekend had raised money to help the VROC. He spoke passionately about the center and how important it was to him, and it wasn’t long before dedicated volunteer, Monica Kizziar, invited me to come in and learn more about what they do. As Hannon was describing his vision for updating the VROC’s Navy room, he beamed, and his excitement was contagious. Curtis shared that Hannon was friends with an artist who is working on a large mural for the space, which was made easier after they received a donation of an extra-large canvas.
Each room of the center is dedicated to the various branches of the military. While the center is nearly full of resources, including food and toiletries, the VROC also helps veterans connect with additional services that extend beyond just healthcare. In one example, Curtis shared a unique program facilitated through Habitat for Humanity, which offers veterans free roof replacements. The team at VROC takes the time to get to know each veteran, helping uncover pathways to resources designed to support veterans and their loved ones after their service has concluded.
Having a veteran father, I understand how difficult it can be for some veterans to reach out or connect with services; some perceive it as a handout. As Curtis put it, “You signed a contract that said you were 100% when you joined. Your part of the contract was that you would give up your life to serve our country, and their end of the contract was that they would have money for you up to 100% to reimburse you for every percent that your body is not whole. You lived up to your part of the contract. It’s now their turn to live up to theirs.”
Curtis’s passion is infectious, and the volunteers at VROC share that same drive to care for our veterans. Beyond government services available to veterans, the center has identified numerous private resources, including programs that help veterans find free vehicles.
Before leaving, the staff loaded me up with a box of blessing bags for unhoused veterans, complete with a card to let recipients know where to go for further assistance. The center’s biggest challenge has been outreach and spreading the word about what they do and how they can help. They continue to be a vital resource, offering not just tangible support but a sense of community and belonging for those who have served.
If you’re interested in helping, you can contact the VROC at (972) 463-8762. Your contributions can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have given so much for our country.
