Brian Barnes and Mark Weeks from Comfort Roofing stand outside a Wichita Falls, Texas home, with a roofing truck and ladder in the background.
When a veteran leaves the service, the mission doesn’t end. It just changes. For some, that new mission can feel isolating. In a recent episode of The Falls Home Front, I sat down with Brian LaLonde, a Veterans Outreach Specialist, and Rita Gauthier, Director of Northwest Community Impact, to discuss how Catholic Charities Veterans Services is making a real difference in our community.
Here’s a short snippet of our conversation:
Our conversation uncovered the gaps in the system, the power of local partnerships, and how Brian LaLonde Rita Gauthier Catholic Charities Veterans Services represents a coordinated effort to help veterans build a stable, fulfilling life after the military.
Why I Brought Brian LaLonde and Rita Gauthier on the Show
I’ve spent years in this community, both as a retired Air Force officer and as a Realtor. I know that for many veterans, the transition isn’t just about finding a house. It’s about finding stability, purpose, and a new place to belong.
Over the years, I’ve built a referral network that connects people to the right resources, and understanding veteran services is a critical part of that mission.
Brian knows this firsthand. After 10 years in the Marine Corps, he struggled to find employment and his footing. Moving around the world with his family left him searching for himself post-service. His journey from feeling lost to becoming a Veterans Outreach Specialist highlights the importance of this conversation, showing that help is often delivered by those who have walked the same path.
I wanted to bring clarity to the complex web of veteran support systems in North Texas, and Brian and Rita were the perfect guides.
What I Learned About the Real Challenges Veterans Face After Service
"The hardest part isn’t always the transition itself—it’s not knowing where to turn next or who to trust when you get there.”
Many veterans face a loss of identity. In the military, structure is everything. When that structure disappears, it can feel like the ground has fallen away. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly half of all veterans report difficulty adjusting to civilian life after leaving service.
Brian noted that a lot of veterans don’t understand the benefits they’ve earned. From disability compensation to state-specific benefits like property tax discounts, the information is out there, but it’s not always easy to navigate.
Many veterans have an idea that resources may exist, but they don’t understand them and don’t know where to go for help.
This confusion leads to two major problems. First, financial instability. Second, a reluctance to ask for help. The military culture is built on self-reliance. Admitting you need support can feel like admitting failure.
In reality, as Brian discovered, asking for help is the strongest move you can make. The Texas Veterans Commission offers additional guidance for those navigating these challenges at the state level.
This is where Catholic Charities Fort Worth veterans services steps in to bridge the gap between confusion and clarity.
How Catholic Charities Veterans Services Actually Help
When Rita talked about Catholic Charities Fort Worth, I was struck by the scope of their mission. They’ve been serving North Texas since 1910, but their Veterans Services Center opened in Wichita Falls in 2018. Since then, they’ve become a central hub for support. It’s a place where a veteran can walk in and find more than just a pamphlet. The Catholic Charities Fort Worth network extends across 28 counties, ensuring veterans in even the most rural areas have access to help.
They use a case management approach, conducting intakes to identify veterans’ needs and offering free mental health counseling for those with invisible wounds of service. Access to veteran mental health resources is one of the most requested services they provide.
Veterans benefit from guidance in navigating complex systems. Rita noted that transitioning service members often feel lost and need support to access resources. Brian emphasized that veterans trust those who have faced similar struggles more readily.
This trust is the currency that makes their work effective. Whether a veteran needs veteran housing and financial assistance or simply someone to talk to, the team at Catholic Charities is ready to help.
Why So Many Veterans Still Don't Access the Help Available
With so many resources available, you might wonder why veterans aren’t lining up. The answer is layered. It starts with a lack of awareness. When Brian does community outreach, people are often shocked to learn about the Veterans Services Center. He often hears people say they didn’t realize Catholic Charities had a veteran services center and that they offered all those services.
Then there’s the overwhelming nature of the system itself. Imagine being told to find your way through a maze where every door looks the same. That’s what navigating the VA and other agencies can feel like if you don’t have a guide.
The Podcast Network that produces The Falls Home Front focuses on giving a voice to organizations that simplify these complex systems.
Past negative experiences can also create a barrier. If a veteran contacted an agency years ago and was turned away, they may assume no help exists. They stop trying. This is why the veteran transition support Wichita Falls relies so heavily on face-to-face, relationship-based care. It’s about rebuilding that trust, one conversation at a time.
The Role of Community Partnerships
“No one organization can solve everything—but when the right people work together, that’s when real impact happens for veterans.”
One of the most encouraging parts of my conversation with Brian and Rita was hearing about the North Texas Northwest Texas Veterans Coalition. It’s a group of service providers from Texas and Oklahoma that meets monthly. The goal is simple: share information.
Rita noted that there’s no organization serving veterans that has enough capacity or money to be able to do everything. This coalition is a perfect example of how local Wichita Falls veteran assistance programs are evolving. It’s no longer about organizations working in silos.
It’s about a collective mission to ensure no veteran falls through the cracks. When someone finds a new resource, they share it. The result is a stronger, more resilient safety net.
The North Texas veterans programs that participate in this coalition represent a wide range of services, from housing to employment to mental health support.
A Story That Really Stuck With Me From This Conversation
We hear a lot about statistics, but numbers can’t capture the human experience. Brian shared a story about a veteran who came to them last year. He was homeless, living out of his car, and had reached a point where he was ready to give up on his life.
Their case manager, Janice, connected him with the right resources. They helped him start a VA disability claim and found him housing. Fast forward seven or eight months, and that same veteran is now thriving. He has an income, a vehicle, and a dog. He joined the local American Legion post. He’s found his community again.
Brian recalled that the veteran looked at them and said thank you, explaining that he doesn’t trust a lot of people, but he trusts them and is thankful for what they did for him. For me, that story is the whole point of this work. It’s not just about providing a service. It’s about restoring hope.
Military & Veterans Resource Fair: A Real Opportunity to Connect
If you are a veteran or know one, mark your calendar. The fifth annual Military & Veterans Resource Fair is happening on Thursday, April 16th, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the 10th and Broad Church of Christ inside the Family Life Center.
This event is a game-changer. Rita told me they started with a single tent in a parking lot five years ago. Now, they expect around 70 vendors to be set up. It’s a one-stop shop for everything a veteran might need. You can talk face-to-face with representatives from the VA, the Wounded Warrior Project, housing programs, and mental health providers—all in one place.
Last year, a veteran drove all the way from Duncan, Oklahoma, just to attend. He was able to talk directly to a VA representative about his claim. That’s the power of this event. It cuts through the red tape and puts solutions within reach.
For any veteran feeling lost, this fair is the perfect starting point. It’s a chance to see that the help they need is real, it’s local, and it’s waiting for them.
My Biggest Takeaways for Veterans and Families Listening
If you take nothing else away from this, remember this: the resources exist. The path forward is there. You just need the right connection. Don’t wait until you’re in crisis to ask for help. The courage to make that first call or walk through that door can change everything.
I’ve seen how the military to civilian transition help in Wichita Falls has grown, thanks to people like Brian and Rita and organizations like Catholic Charities. The work being done by Brian LaLonde Rita Gauthier Catholic Charities Veterans Services is proof that when compassionate people come together, real change happens. But they can only help if veterans and their families reach out. Community support here is stronger than it seems, and it’s built by people who genuinely care.
As Brian said, the best thing he ever did was ask for help. That one decision led him to a career where he now helps hundreds of others.
Want to hear my full conversation with Brian LaLonde and Rita Gauthier? Tune in to The Falls Home Front podcast and discover how Catholic Charities is making a real difference for veterans in Wichita Falls.
Listen Here
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does Catholic Charities Veterans Services provide?
They offer a comprehensive support system including case management, free mental health counseling, emergency financial assistance, and help navigating the complex web of community resources. You can learn more about their specific offerings on the Catholic Charities NW website.
2. Who can access these services?
These services are available to all veterans, regardless of their background, branch of service, or religious affiliation. They also assist dependents of military members, active duty service members, and spouses of deceased veterans.
3. What is the biggest barrier veterans face after service?
A major barrier is navigating the complex civilian systems for employment, housing, and benefits. Many veterans are unaware of the benefits they have earned or struggle to trust new organizations after leaving the structured military environment.
4. How can veterans in Wichita Falls get help?
Veterans can contact Catholic Charities directly by calling 940-716-9669 or visiting their office at 907 Holiday Street. A great first step is also attending the Military & Veterans Resource Fair on April 16th to connect with dozens of service providers in one place. For a deeper dive into the local support system, you can also listen to the full conversation on The Falls Home Front podcast.
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Our community is built on stories. Whether you’re a veteran navigating your next chapter, a local leader making a difference, or a professional with insights on the Wichita Falls market, your voice matters. I’m always looking for real conversations that help our neighbors thrive.
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