Heroes Resource Center
Our Mission
Heroes Resource Center is a non-profit community-based organization that is dedicated to providing resources and services to Veterans, Service Members, and their families in a safe, family-friendly environment.
Through this model of peer-to-peer interaction, Heroes Resource Center is able to quickly address the unique situations that service members, veterans, and military families experience by creating a trusting relationship more immediately.
Heroes Resource Center offers a number of services and activities including peer-to-peer groups and activities, individual/family rehabilitative activities, a Counselor from the Vet Center, a Veteran Service Officer (claims/benefits), a VA Loan Specialist, Financial Assistance and representatives from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Heroes Resource Center hosts multiple weekly activities like our Donuts & Coffee twice a week, and our Veterans Support Group. Through these gatherings, many veterans and service members find a new “family”, a job, and an answer to some of their problems.
We offer many social events including the monthly Friday Peer Dinners & A Show, the annual Just Because Christmas Party, Turkey & Fixings Basket, as well as our highly attended Heroes Appreciation BBQ. All these events are offered at “no-cost” or obligation for active military, veterans, first responders, and their families.
Beyond the services, events, and resources Heroes Resource Center provides, our big mission is outreach and fostering relationships with family, friends, and the integration from military to civilian life. We model ourselves around the idea of a supportive community and by healing all those affected by transition through positive encouragement, support, and open doors.
The Heroes Night Out Team
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Executive Director
Brandon Crook is a Husband, Father and a Navy Corpsman Veteran. He served 6 years in the Navy. He has a BA in Psychology and his MBA in Organizational Leadership & Development. Brandon has always been a compassionate person and loves to help others whenever he can.
Contact Brandon:
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Program Director
Carmen M. Valenzuela served 7 ½ years in the U.S Army. She has been working at Heroes Night Out since 2014. She works as the Program Director, coordinating meetings, scheduling calendar events, and assisting with fostering professional relationships with community leaders and organizations. She is personable, passionate about contributing, supporting, and making a difference. She is committed to striving for excellence!
Contact Carmen: -
Operations Director
Andrew Aguayo served in the U.S. Army for 8 years, completing three deployments during his service. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. Passionate about the outdoors and driven by a commitment to helping others, Andrew has dedicated much of his time to working with homeless veterans, offering support and resources to those in need. His background in the military and his academic achievements provide a strong foundation for his role as Operations Manager, where he continues to make a positive impact on the veteran community.
Contact Andrew:
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J. Bryant Boyd
Chairman of the Board
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Lara Garey
Vice Chairwoman of the Board
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Richard Berman
Board Secretary
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Darryl Avery
Board Treasurer
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Robert Duffey
Board Member
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Mark Coplen
Board Member
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Steve Belt
Board Member
The Founders: Wes & Judy
Wes and Judy Pierce, originally from Illinois, were married in April of 1987. Their journey from child-rearing to becoming proud grandparents led them to Texas in 2001. After having five of their own sons serve in the military, Wes and Judy became increasingly aware of the unmet needs of our returning Veterans. Through their own children’s difficulties with accessing and finding resources and a very special SSGT Clark, Heroes Night Out was born.
Though much different in the beginning stages, Wes and Judy’s initial efforts were geared toward providing appreciation wallets containing gift cards to wounded soldiers so they could spend a little quality with their families.
Today, this ideology has expanded into a full-service resource center. Heroes Night Out Veterans Resource Center offers easy access to much-needed services. Veterans can get assistance with their VA claims, access legal support when appropriate, access employers, and so much more, all while spending time in the company of their Peers.
Wes and Judy have created family-friendly events, which are free to Veterans and their families. These no-cost events are the heart of the organization. This is where Veterans may come for the first time to get a feel for the organization and begin connecting with other Heroes.
The connection is key. When Vietnam Veterans begin connecting with today’s soldiers who are encountering some of the exact same struggles they had when returning from war, it is an amazing thing to experience. We have all seen so much healing in this place.
Wes and Judy invite you to come and enjoy dinner, completely free and get to know more about how we can help you and how you may be able to help others.