Broken Warriors Angels Profile - Fred Alvarado

We had the privilege of interviewing Fred Alvarado from Broken Warriors Angels, one of the esteemed beneficiaries of Adobo Throwdown 3.0. Their organization's dedication to supporting veterans aligns perfectly with our event's mission to celebrate culinary talent while giving back to those who have served our country.

1. Can you share the story and inspiration behind the founding of Broken Warriors Angels?

In 2015, while working for the Veterans Administration (VA), I noticed that veterans who had been military discharged with an Other Than Honorable (OTH) status, many due to physical and mental health problems, were unable to access benefits. This status prevented them from qualifying for veteran services. Many of the veterans with an OTH status have PTSD, opting to self-medicate to deal with the trauma. These are the same men and women who served with me and other veterans on the battlefield, with their sacrifices to this country unrecognized. I founded Broken Warriors Angels to fill the gap and provide our community of Homeless and OTH veterans with the resources (medical, mental, housing, food, and the word of God).

2. What personal experiences led you to focus on helping homeless and disabled veterans?

There was a time in my life when I, too, became homeless because of my PTSD. I was able to get help, but it took me 20 years after coming home from the Vietnam War before I was able to open about my war-related trauma. When I found God, he gave me the strength and willpower to get help for my PTSD with the VA and assist other veterans.

3. What are some of the key challenges that homeless veterans face today, and how does Broken Warriors Angels address them?

The significant challenges for homeless veterans are access to mental and substance use treatment, medical care, and safe, stable housing. We collaborate with community-based mental health providers. Most homeless veterans have depression and other mental health conditions, which affects their ability to obtain help. As a certified peer-to-peer mentor, I go out to the streets and try to identify those in need; I bring them hope and tell them how we can work together to help them deal with their stressors, depression, anxiety, or PTSD. We also know that homeless veterans experience negative interactions with the public due to negative stereotypes and perceptions about the unhoused population. They also experience challenges with service providers and unfriendly policies. Having been homeless myself, I understand their daily fight to survive.

4. Can you tell us about a particularly memorable success story or individual that Broken Warriors Angels has helped?

Since our organization's founding in 2019, we have made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of homeless veterans and other unsheltered individuals. Through our work, we have assisted disabled veterans with home repairs, such as remodeling their bathrooms to be handicapaccessible and other home repairs. These are veterans who, in many cases, did not qualify for VA assistance. Each of these individuals represents a life changed, a story of hope restored, and a testament to the power of our mission. One such story was that of Mr. Ken, who was a disabled veteran with terminal Cancer. Broken Warriors Angels repaired his bathroom, and he returned to his house before his passing. Another story is that of Mr. William. He was a homeless veteran traveling through Texas from another state. He needed help finding shelter and food. Another homeless veteran gave him my name and phone number. I met with him in one of the city parks, and we found him a place to stay, provided him with food, and located employment for him. Eventually, he was able to move back to New York City. He was so thankful that he wrote Broken Warriors Angels a letter thanking us. (letter attached).

5. What programs and services does Broken Warriors Angels provide to support veterans and their families?

We are deeply grateful for our volunteers and donors at Broken Warriors Angels. Their support allows us to take an individualized approach to assisting our homeless veteran community. We go out and talk one-on-one with homeless veterans. We take food, water, and clothing and bring the word of God to show the community that we are there for them. We carefully evaluate individual needs to offer assistance tailored specifically to them. Whether it involves support with food and clothing, access to legal services, assistance in obtaining military benefits, transportation aid, peer-to-peer counseling, or engaging in spiritual activities, we are committed to doing everything possible to deliver the aid our veterans require to regain stability

6. How does your organization collaborate with the local community and nonprofits to maximize its impact?

We believe in the power of community. That's why we team up with organizations, such as Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), Women Veterans of San Antonio, UT Health San Antonio, CentroMed, University Health, ICARE, USAA, Bexar County District Attorney office, San Antonio Filipino American Chamber of Commerce (SAFACC), Veterans Administration, Joint Base San Antonio, McArthur High School, San Antonio Metro Health, Philippine Nurses Association of San Antonio, Inc. (PNASA), Starbucks, First Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, Corazon Ministries, Lions Club of Alamo Heights, and other community organizations. Together, we bring services to the unsheltered community twice a year through health and wellness fairs and other services throughout the year. This collective effort amplifies our impact and shows our veterans that they are not alone in their journey.

Also, Broken Warriors Angels collaborates with the VA and other veteran organizations to provide military or VA records (DD214, medical, and benefits) to our veterans.

7. What have been some of the biggest milestones and achievements for Broken Warriors Angels since its inception?

Whether it involves support with basic needs, access to VA services, assistance obtaining benefits, transportation aid, peer-to-peer counseling, or community services, we are committed to delivering the aid our unsheltered veterans require to regain stability.

Since our inception in 2019, collaborations have established with multiple key stakeholders and service organizations in the community to hold bi-annual (spring and winter) health and wellness fairs for unsheltered veterans and others experiencing homelessness in San Antonio. Among the services that we provide at these events, we give appropriate weather clothing, health screenings, first aid, COVID-19 vaccinations, dental assessments, HIV screenings, risk reduction, vision screenings/eyeglasses, food and drinks, haircuts, hydration stations, showers, hygiene kits/goodie bags and other resources.

In 2019, the nonprofit also began advocating for unhoused veterans in various city, state, and federal meetings for policy change, especially for veterans who are not currently receiving VA benefits.

In 2020, we began to offer home repairs for a limited number of low-income disabled veterans.

In 2022, we began coordinating activities for veterans, such as fishing, baseball, and equine therapy trips. This year was our fifth annual fishing trip to Rockport-Fulton, Texas. We transported twenty veterans and provided meals, accommodations, and fishing equipment.

In 2023, the organization began offering financial assistance for funeral cremation and coordinating military funeral ceremonies for unclaimed veterans' remains.

In 2023, we began providing hydration assistance to unhoused individuals twice a month, starting in July and continuing through September.

In 2023, BWAs opened an outreach office at KRL downtown. These office services connect veterans to the VA (military records, benefits, housing, medical).

8. How do you envision the future of Broken Warriors Angels, and what are your goals for the next five years?

We want to expand our services by offering additional peer-to-peer mentoring and mental health services and collaborating with other organizations to provide financial grants that support our mission.

9. What role do volunteers and donors play in your organization, and how can people get involved or contribute?

Volunteers and donors are the backbone of our organization. Without their support, we would not be able to do the work. Volunteers assist us at every event.

10. What message would you like to share with the attendees and participants of the Adobo Throwdown about the importance of supporting veteran-focused initiatives?

Without the support of our community partners, many veterans would go without necessities, such as food, clothing, shelter, and health care. All people have these human rights, especially those who have served our country and protected our freedoms. Your responses will help us highlight your vital work and encourage more people to support your mission. Please feel free to provide as much detail as you are comfortable with. If you have any additional information or stories that you believe are important, we would love to hear them.