WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — According to the governor's office about 800,000 veterans call our state home.

What You Need To Know

  • The United Way of Forsyth County's new Mission United program will provide a network of resources to assist veterans with housing, education and employment

  • This is the the first Mission United program offered by United Way in North Carolina and the 27th location in the country

  • Mission United will serve Davie, Davidson, Stokes, Yadkin, Guilford, Forsyth and Surry counties

The United Way of Forsyth County is giving veterans the keys to success after service through their Mission United program. 

The organization is helping them to access housing, employment and other opportunities. 

Veterans in 26 states across the country are already benefiting from the initiative.

Strategic Housing Initiative Program Officer Karon McKinney said she is excited to provide a network of resources for veterans in seven counties in North Carolina for the first time. 

“One-stop shopping is so much easier to do, and this way we are building out a network of folks that understand the work within each community. So what's available here is very different than what’s available in Stokes or Yadkin County’s, and we want to build that network because we all want to support our veterans and honor their service,” McKinney said.

The nonprofit is already helping veterans with housing, but the inaugural program will also connect veterans to education and employment opportunities.

“The first step is to do an assessment and see what’s available already in those counties and then build the network from there. We have not done anything like this in North Carolina. We will be the first Mission United,” McKinney explained. 

One of the program's first partners is Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina. 

Veteran Service Manager Kim Neel said the partnership will help address the increasing amount of veterans that need assistance.

“We see a lot more displaced veterans during the winter time. A lot of veterans tend to do a lot of stuff on their own, but when it comes to winter time, they need that assistance,” Neel said.

McKinney said their new program will give those veterans more opportunities to get access to the help they need.

"Veterans have sacrificed so much for this country, and it is only right that we support them and their transition back into civilian life, and then help them as they progress through their lives," McKinney said.

The program will also serve Davie, Davidson, Stokes, Forsyth, Yadkin, Guilford and Surry counties. 

For veteran resources around the state click here.