More than 475,000 veterans live in Illinois. We are grateful for their commitment to our country, and invite you to learn more about organizations whose work is rooted in uplifting and supporting service men and women as they transition to civilian life.
The Brigade is an organization run by student veterans, for student veterans. Started by a group of five students from some of the largest schools in downtown Chicago, they hope to form a community for veterans in higher education. The Brigade offers excellent opportunities for individuals transitioning from military service to fulfilling careers, including networking opportunities with employers eager to hire veterans, professional development courses, and events designed to facilitate mentorship opportunities.
Chicago Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs
Chicago is a military town with one of the most diverse veterans communities and a rich military history from Navy Pier to Soldier Field. The Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs (MOVA) is dedicated to building on this history by enhancing services and engaging Chicago’s diverse community of over 65 thousand veterans and their families through increased collaboration with local organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector.
The mission of Chicago Veterans is to empower military veterans to take control of their lives, providing community and educational tools to help them and their families transition successfully. Programming includes volunteer and social meet-up opportunities, along with a Transitional Program that helps simplify the transition to civilian life, workshops on veteran benefits, career opportunities, and other programs to address veteran issues.
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
As an expression of gratitude for their service to our country, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) are committed to empowering veterans and their families to thrive in Illinois, offering help navigating services and benefits, and finding long-term housing, and connecting veterans with other service organizations.
Leave No Veteran Behind (LNVB) invests in Veterans to build better communities through employment training, transitional jobs, and our veteran educational debt relief scholarship. Leave No Veteran Behind invests in heroes who have served their country honorably and who seek to continue their service as assets in communities across America.
University of Chicago: Office for Military-Affiliated Communities
The University of Chicago is committed to recruiting and retaining exceptional students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and veterans have been an important part of this picture since its inception. The Office for Military-Affiliated Communities and campus partners have worked to provide robust programming to recognize the military-affiliated community.
Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) equips service members and veterans for success in higher education and beyond through transformative programming that advances skills, builds confidence, and forges lasting connections. In partnership with the nation’s top colleges and universities, WSP hosts intensive and immersive academic boot camps for enlisted veterans and transitioning service members.