United Way launches Mission United for veterans
United Way of Indian River County launched Mission United today, combining its countywide network with the Veterans Council of Indian River County’s four decades of service to local veterans. Mission United will continue the Veterans Council’s transportation, case management and direct assistance programs while connecting veterans and their families to a broader network of health, housing, financial stability, employment, education and legal services.
Indian River County is home to roughly 16,000 veterans, representing about 11% of the county’s adult population and a higher share than state and national averages, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. About 26% of local veterans live in poverty or earn too little to afford basic needs such as housing, food, transportation and health care, according to United For ALICE.
Founded in 1975, the Veterans Council has helped meet that need by providing transportation to medical appointments, direct financial assistance and connections to housing, employment, education and other resources. Each year, the organization provided more than 1,200 rides, $121,000 in direct financial assistance, fielded 450 documented calls and managed more than 117 veteran cases.
“It’s difficult to express in words the amount of gratitude I feel for the assistance, relief and personability the Veterans Council provided for my family and me,” said Clayton P. Kettle, a retired U.S. Army sergeant first class. “They helped provide a sense of security and introduced me to a trove of resources that I was unaware of.”
Veterans currently receiving rides or case management do not need to take action. Their services have transitioned from the Veterans Council to Mission United, and they can continue to call 772-410-5820 to connect with the program.
Transportation provided through a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs contract is expected to continue with the same drivers, vehicles and routes.
“For more than 40 years, the Veterans Council has been there for the veterans of Indian River County, and our board brought this idea to United Way because we wanted to be sure that work would not only continue, but grow,” said Dr. Michael Fortunato, chairman of the Veterans Council and a U.S. Navy veteran. “Mission United will give our veterans the strength of a countywide network, and the people and relationships they’ve come to count on will still be there for them.”
The transition follows a yearlong process that began in October 2025, when Veterans Council leaders approached United Way to explore a sustainable path for continuing the council’s work. The organizations worked through legal, financial and staffing details before both boards approved a plan to complete the transition Oct. 1.
Fortunato will join United Way’s board of directors. Current Veterans Council board members will serve on the Mission United Advisory Council alongside representatives from local veteran service organizations. Under a gift agreement between the two organizations, assets transferred from the Veterans Council to United Way will be restricted to supporting Mission United and its services for local veterans, honoring donor intent.
“This mission is personal for me. My husband is a veteran, and our family knows what it means to have a community that shows up for the people who served,” said Meredith Egan, CEO of United Way of Indian River County. “Mission United gives veterans one place to start and a whole network behind them, so no one falls through the cracks because they didn’t know where to turn.”
Egan said Mission United is designed to work alongside the VA and local veteran service organizations, not replace them. The program will strengthen referrals with partners such as Habitat for Humanity, the Visiting Nurse Association, the Mental Health Collaborative, the Senior Resource Association and the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council so veterans who seek help from one organization can be connected to other available services.
Mission United was first launched in Broward County in 2013 and later adopted by United Way Worldwide as a national model. The program serves as a single point of entry for veterans and their families. In Indian River County, it joins United Way’s direct service programs, including Access to Justice; the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which offers free tax preparation; and ANCHOR, the county’s long-term disaster recovery group.
“It means a lot to know that there are people and organizations here in Indian River County who continue looking out for veterans after our military service is over,” Kettle said. “Knowing that the Veterans Council’s services will continue through Mission United and United Way gives me confidence that veterans and their families will continue to have somewhere to turn when they need that hand.”
For more information, visit Unitedwayirc.org/mission-united or call 772-410-5820.
About United Way of Indian River County
United Way of Indian River County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that mobilizes the caring power of the community by bringing people, partners and resources together to address local challenges and create lasting solutions. Through investments in local programs, direct service initiatives and strategic partnerships, United Way helps households become more secure and prepared by working year-round to improve health, education, financial stability and resilience.
For more information about United Way of Indian River County, call 772-567-8900 or visit UnitedWayIRC.org.
About Mission United
Mission United is a direct service program of United Way of Indian River County that serves as a single point of entry for local veterans, active-duty service members and their families. Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, Mission United carries forward the work of the Veterans Council of Indian River County by providing transportation to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical appointments, case management and direct financial assistance. It also coordinates with the VA, veteran service organizations and community partners to connect veterans with employment, education, legal, health care, housing and financial stability resources. For more information, call 772-410-5820 or visit Unitedwayirc.org/mission-united.
Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email news@indianrivermedia.com.