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Handicapped Veterans Association, Inc.
Veterans should never have to face life alone.
We are building practical ways for veterans who use VA healthcare to reconnect, regain some of the camaraderie lost after separation from military service, support one another, and find a place to belong—while helping the public better understand veteran suicide and how connection can help save lives.
Our mission
Addressing Veteran Suicide is a two-fold effort.
The Handicapped Veterans Association is developing a national network centered on a simple belief: regular human connection can change a veteran’s life.
First, we reconnect veterans through state communities, local relationships, and shared experiences—giving them an opportunity to regain some of the camaraderie often lost after separation from military service. Second, we educate the public about veteran suicide, the warning signs, and the importance of helping veterans remain connected.
HVA’s broader mission also includes helping veterans solve healthcare problems.
A public education effort
Help save lives by promoting the VA S.A.V.E. program.
VA S.A.V.E. teaches four simple steps anyone can use to recognize warning signs, speak with a Veteran in crisis, and help connect that Veteran with support. Learn the steps, share the program, and help more people know how to respond.
Scan to watch the video
Free VA S.A.V.E. online training provided through PsychArmor
What we are building
One Association. Several ways to reconnect.
Our first programs are being developed as the foundation of one connected national platform.
01
HVA Social®
State-based veteran communities where members can reconnect, regain some of the camaraderie lost after separation from military service, and take part in conversations through a regular social timeline and local events.
02
HVA Travel
Nationally selected trips and state-led regional outings designed to give veterans meaningful reasons to reconnect and participate.
The HVA difference
Organized around where veterans receive care.
Our first HVA Social pilot communities are Kentucky, North Carolina, and Indiana. As the network grows, state communities will help members connect through their regional VA medical center and community-based outpatient clinic—mirroring a structure veterans already know.
3
HVA Social pilot communities
53
Future state and territorial communities
1
Shared national mission
What research tells us
Veterans can benefit from purposeful social connection.
HVA Social is built on a practical idea supported by research: veteran-centered communities can create connection, strengthen peer support, and help people find appropriate care and resources. A social platform is not a substitute for professional care, but it can give veterans another place to be seen, heard, and connected.
2022 study
Veterans Socials showed a workable model for building community.
“Increasing social connection and access to care has been found to decrease the rate of suicide in U.S. veterans.”
Researchers studying the VA’s VOICES initiative found that community-based Veterans Socials were feasible and offered a promising way to foster connection and improve access to services.
2020 study
Veterans are willing to reach out when peers show distress online.
“Veterans were reluctant to disclose emotional and health issues on Facebook, but they were open to reaching out to others’ concerning posts.”
Interviews with veterans found interest in helping peers who posted concerning messages online, and a desire for veteran-organization-backed training on how to respond effectively.
Launching state by state
Meet our three pilot communities.
Kentucky, North Carolina, and Indiana will establish a repeatable model for local outreach, ongoing connection, veteran participation, and responsible state operations. They will begin appearing on HVASocial.org as each community is ready.
01
Kentucky
Pilot community — coming soon
02
North Carolina
Pilot community — coming soon
03
Indiana
Pilot community — coming soon
Help build the network
There is a place for you in this work.
Veterans
Join a community created to restore connection, camaraderie, participation, and mutual support.
Volunteers
Help with outreach, events, state operations, or professional services.
Partners
Support a scalable national effort through sponsorship or strategic partnership.
Who membership serves
Built for U.S. military members who use VA healthcare.
HVA brings veterans together around the healthcare system they share. Kentucky, North Carolina, and Indiana are the first pilot communities. As they become ready and the national directory is completed, members will be connected with their own state, regional VA medical center, and community-based outpatient clinic.
A community for all military
Looking for the broader U.S. military community?
USMilitary.org is being developed for people from across the U.S. military community. When it is built, it will also provide a direct path back to HVA Social.
Stay connected
Visit HVA Social.
HVASocial.org will serve as the national gateway, listing each available state community and linking visitors to the appropriate public landing page.