never forget

These Houston organizations proudly serve our military heroes

Organizations such as Helping a Hero support the men and women of our armed forces.

On Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who serve (and have served) in our military and protect our nation. Though they're often reticent to share their needs, veterans need our help — especially when recovering from injuries or getting back to civilian life. If you're looking to support our heroes, we've rounded up some charities making a difference in the lives of those who donned a uniform.

It's our humble way of ensuring, as Houston Congressman Dan Crenshaw so aptly stated on Saturday Night Live, that we "never forget" the sacrifice and service of our soldiers.

DAWG Foundation
This foundation provides a companion canine for U.S. military veterans (and select first responders) battling PTSD. The companion canine is well-trained by approved trainers, and is meant to provide everything from simple companionship and emotional support to limited mobility/distress assistance.

Helping a Hero
This group empowers severely wounded veterans, primarily by partnering with the wounded hero to provide specially adapted homes to reintegrate them into their community. They also provide additional support programs such as marriage retreats, caregiver retreats, recreational activities, emotional support and financial support.

K9s4COPS
This organization was formed to address the need for funding the purchase of K9s for law enforcement agencies. It was founded to bridge this gap and ensure that K9 cost never keeps an officer from having their K9 partner.

Lone Star Veterans Association
This association believes that the shared experience of military service across all eras binds veterans and gives them strength. They focus on building professional networks that allow people to learn, connect, and get hired.

Wins for Warriors Foundation
Founded by Houston Astros star Justin Verlander, the mission of this foundation is to empower United States military, veterans and their families by strengthening collaboration and raising positive awareness in our communities. They do this through providing family bonding events and activities.

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Thanks, Queen Bey

Pop icon Beyoncé donates $100,000 to University of Houston Law School

Photo by Erza Shaw Getty Images

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Pop megastar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has donated $100,000 to the University of Houston Law Center Criminal Justice Clinic through her BeyGOOD Foundation. The gift will allow the clinic to hire fill-time faculty to head it, benefiting the students who study there.

“I am delighted that the BeyGOOD Foundation has made this very generous gift to the UH Law Center,” said Leonard Baynes, dean of the UH Law Center. “Not only will this funding help establish a full-time criminal justice clinic that provides pro bono legal services in our community, but it will also supercharge our already excellent criminal law and justice programming.”

The clinic is one of nine at UHLC. It helps students learn to navigate the criminal justice system, especially on behalf of clients that are underserved by skilled attorneys. People of color are affected disproportionately by a lack of good, ethical representation.

Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammy history and easily the biggest musical star native to Houston, has a long history of advocating for criminal justice reform. She was a staunch supporter of the police reform following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, asking law enforcement to “stop killing us” in a web post. In 2020, she penned an open letter to the Kentucky attorney general asking for justice in the death of Breonna Taylor.

Through her BeyGOOD Foundation, established in 2013, Beyoncé has focused mostly on expanding the prospects of Black-owned business and offering education opportunities to students. Forwarding the cause of legal representation in Texas while also helping out marginalized communities compliments her other philanthropic work.

“At UH Law, we envision a legal profession where ‘everyone has the opportunity to prosper,’ as BeyGOOD envisions, and we will achieve this vision by providing access to strong and effective legal representation in criminal proceedings,” Baynes said. “And together, through this gift, the BeyGOOD Foundation and UHLC will shepherd the next generation of criminal justice attorneys in the city of Houston, the state of Texas and the nation.”