Veterans Stand Together

What Veterans Stand Together does

Veterans Stand Together (VST) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020 by USMC veteran George Casillas to deliver integrated wraparound services to U.S. veterans. The organization operates three core divisions — Housing, Vocational, and Mental Health — which collectively address veteran homelessness, PTSD, substance abuse, and unemployment. Veterans receive services free of charge, with vocational training programs grant-funded through partners including Keystone College, which grants 10-25 credit units for prior military experience. VST also operates a peer support network (VPAN), a Professional Security Officer Apprenticeship, and free VA claims and home loan workshops, serving over 500 veterans and family members in the Los Angeles area since January 2021.

VST's underlying technology is a proprietary "Milestone System" used to track veteran progress through empowerment plans and benefit programs, with customizability cited as the primary differentiator. The broader technology stack is a standard nonprofit-operations layer (WordPress website, Smartsheet intake forms, NeonCRM events, PayPal donations, student portal) with no AI components, no public API, and no disclosed enterprise integrations. The "VST Certified" program label is applied to vocational training pathways that culminate in industry-recognized certifications (OSHA, State Security Guard Card, CPR/First Aid, Certified Nursing Assistant, PMP).

VST's revenue model is non-commercial: the organization is funded primarily through donations, corporate sponsorships (Raising Cane's, Starbucks, Kroger, Topgolf, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, CrossCountry Mortgage, 42mm, AMG, Apple One, and others), donor-advised fund grants via Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, DAF Direct, corporate matching via Millie and Benevity, and grant funding for vocational programs. Services are free to qualifying veterans and at-risk community members. The organization operates across five states (California, Texas, Nevada, Florida, Pennsylvania) with six office locations and a community-led GTM motion driven by veteran outreach teams, peer referrals, and partnerships with veteran service organizations and the VA.

Name

Veterans Stand Together

Legal name

Veterans Stand Together

Website

https://usavest.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Veterans Stand Together is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2020 that delivers free housing, vocational training, and mental health services to U.S. veterans across five states using a proprietary Milestone System.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Support Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs (EDAAAOAH)

Keywords

• Veteran support services
• Homeless veteran assistance
• Vocational training programs
• Mental health peer support
• Nonprofit veteran services

Headquarters

HQ city

South Gate

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Veterans Stand Together operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and community partners. The organization accepts donor-advised fund grants through Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, DAF Direct, and other DAF sponsors. Corporate matching through Millie and Benevity platforms also supports revenue.
2. Grant Funding: VST receives grant funding to support vocational training programs. All vocational programs are grant-based and provided at no cost for those who qualify.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Veterans Stand Together is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free, comprehensive veteran support services through three core divisions: Housing, Vocational, and Mental Health. Services include housing placement, homeless outreach, grant-funded vocational training (OSHA, security, healthcare, IT, real estate, cybersecurity), a Professional Security Officer Apprenticeship, peer support via the VPAN network, VA claims and home loan workshops, and academic credit recognition through a Keystone College partnership. The proprietary 'Milestone System' tracks each veteran's progress through a personalized empowerment plan.

Product overview

Veterans Stand Together (VST) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing comprehensive veteran support services through three core divisions: the Housing Division, Vocational Division, and Mental Health Services. These divisions work together through a proprietary 'Milestone System' to address veteran homelessness, PTSD, substance abuse, and unemployment. The organization offers free vocational training programs (including logistics, security, healthcare, and IT certifications), VA claims and home loan workshops, peer support services via the VPAN network, and apprenticeships. VST partners with Keystone College for academic credit transfer and operates across five states (California, Texas, Florida, Nevada, Pennsylvania) serving veterans and at-risk community members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VPAN (Veteran Peer Access Network): Veteran Peer Access Network program for peer support services
• VST Certified Programs

Products and services

• Veterans Housing Division Housing assistance program that pre-screens veterans or at-risk individuals, routes them to appropriate housing plans, and works with community partners to create long-term empowerment plans. Provided free of charge to eligible veterans.
• Vocational Division Employment and education program offering free career assessment evaluations, supportive services through community partners, and lifetime job placement assistance. Includes 'VST Certified' programs in partnership with Keystone College covering Logistics and Supply Chain, Office Operations, Program Management (PMP), Security, Real Estate, Cybersecurity, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Construction.
• Mental Health Services Mental health support services providing direct access to mental health professionals, crisis intervention and diagnosis, goal-oriented planning for long-term stability, peer-run crisis alternative services, and wellness classes for veterans and at-risk community members.
• Training and Workshops Free vocational training courses for veterans and qualifying individuals in Logistics and Supply Chain (OSHA 10/30), Office Operations, Program Management (PMP), Security Officer, Real Estate, Cyber Security, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Construction.
• Professional Security Officer Apprenticeship Learn-while-you-earn apprenticeship program lasting approximately 1.5 years with a 5-week initial instructional period. Compensation $18-$20/hour with guaranteed wage increases. Earns State Security Guard Card, CPR/First Aid, and Oleoresin Capsicum certifications.
• VPAN (Veteran Peer Access Network) Peer support network connecting veterans with resources and support services for mental health, addiction, and trauma-related challenges, leveraging VST's Certified Peer Support Specialists.
• Homeless Outreach Field-based outreach that connects homeless and at-risk veterans with mental health response teams, health and social services, recovery support, shelters, sober housing, at-risk assistance, recovery-conducive employment, and veteran resource programs.
• VA Claims Assistance Workshop Free monthly workshop on the last Wednesday of every month helping veterans navigate the VA claim assistance process with step-by-step guidance from trained experts.
• VA Home Loan Workshop Free workshops helping veterans understand and utilize their VA home loan benefits effectively, held at various locations including Rosemead.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helped over 500 veterans and their families in Los Angeles area since January 2021
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Raising Cane'sflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2024Raising Cane's served as Recon Sponsor for VST's Inaugural Golf Tournament Fundraiser and Lunch Sponsor for VST's Global Peer Support program. Also served as Lunch Sponsor for the 249th Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans Day Celebration events in Downey and Temecula, CA.
• Keystone CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2022VST's partnership with Keystone College enables veterans to receive 10-25 credit units for prior military experience. VST offers vocational programs through the college, all of which offer credit toward academic degrees. Programs are grant-based and at no cost for those who qualify.
• VPAN (Veteran Peer Access Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVST is a member of the Veteran Peer Access Network, participating in peer support initiatives and Global Peer Support Celebration Day events in collaboration with VA Los Angeles.
• 42mmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on VST website
• AMG (American Military Guard)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on VST website
• Apple OneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on VST website
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on VST website
• CareerEdgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on VST website
• CrossCountry MortgageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on VST website
• Operation GratitudeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor and nonprofit partner listed on VST website
• StarbucksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on VST website
• TopgolfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on VST website
• University of the WestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner location for VST events including Toys for Tots distribution
• Kroger/Ralphs/Food4LessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on VST website
• Good360minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for product donations listed on VST website

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Broad incumbents

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Long-established national veterans service organization providing free claims assistance, benefits navigation, and advocacy for disabled veterans. Comparable to VST's VA claims workshops and benefits navigation support, but at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Wounded Warrior Project: Largest U.S. nonprofit serving post-9/11 veterans with comprehensive physical, mental, and financial wellness programs. Directly comparable to VST's wraparound housing, mental health, and career support model, but at much greater national scale and budget.
• Hire Heroes USA: Veteran-focused nonprofit dedicated to military-to-civilian employment transition through one-on-one career coaching, resume assistance, and employer networking. Overlaps closely with VST's Vocational Division and free training programs.
• Team Rubicon: Veteran-led humanitarian organization that mobilizes former military members into disaster response and community service. Comparable to VST in its 'veterans serving community' identity, peer-driven engagement model, and multi-state operational footprint.
• American Corporate Partners (ACP): Nonprofit pairing returning veterans with corporate mentors for career development, with a particular focus on post-9/11 veterans and military spouses. Overlaps with VST's Vocational Division job placement and career counseling services.
• Bob Woodruff Foundation: Foundation funding programs that support veterans, service members, and their families, particularly around invisible injuries, employment, and community reintegration. Comparable mission focus to VST's holistic veteran services model.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): Membership-based veteran advocacy organization focused on policy, benefits access, and community programs for post-9/11 veterans. Comparable to VST in targeting the same at-risk veteran demographic and providing VA claims/benefits navigation support.
• The Mission Continues: Nonprofit deploying veteran volunteer platoons on community impact projects while building veteran leadership and connection. Comparable to VST's peer support and community-led veteran engagement approach.

Emerging players

• Pat Tillman Foundation: Foundation providing scholarships and leadership development to veterans, active service members, and spouses pursuing higher education. Comparable to VST's Keystone College academic-credit and education-to-employment pathway.
• Student Veterans of America: Coalition of student-veteran chapters on college campuses that supports higher education transition, benefits navigation, and community. Overlaps with VST's Keystone College academic-credit pathway and vocational-to-degree offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/WESUPPORTVST
• Facebookfacebook.com/WESUPPORTVST
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wesupportvst
• Instagraminstagram.com/WESUPPORTVST

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Veterans Stand Together