In 2016, the population for the City of Killeen was 143,400, with 25,544 being Veterans (2012-2016) (https://www.census.gov). KPD has an estimated 250 officers, equaling approximately 574 citizens per officer and 102 Veterans per officer, with the number of patrol officers a mere fraction of the total. Therefore, KPD is always taking big strides in new approaches to Community Policing and new ways to develop positive relationships with the citizens they protect and serve. 

The Killeen Police Department is the first department to use this form of program to help Veterans. KPD's team of officers work hard everyday and face many dangers, yet they take the time to talk to those in need and support relationship and community policing.

Since the city of Killeen is right next to Fort Hood Army Installation, officers come in contact with many Veterans and active duty military. They see the need to better assist these individuals and embrace us as a valuable resource, utilizing our assistance several times with successful results for the Veterans. The crisis intervention assessment and communication skills of these officers have helped reduce losing another Veteran to suicide each time they talk to the individual and deploy us to their location.

Operation Phantom Support is in Killeen, TX and works to provide several things to Veterans, active duty, and their families. One of their features is their food pantry, with just for a donation of $20 a month, where you can make a visit Thursday and Saturday mornings. Their food pantry is not the typical pantry, they have frozen meats ranging from brisket to ribeye to fish to frozen meals. They have fruits and vegetables and canned goods. Along with that monthly donation, the donors have access to their thrift store, vehicle service assistance, military clothing, birthday cake services, back to school filled backpacks, and more. They provide emergency food baskets for those in dire need. They have assisted us by responding to our call to assist Veterans in need that the Killeen Police Department come in contact with.

REBOOT Combat Recovery, a non-profit support system that focuses on healing the spiritual and moral injuries of war is hosting its free, 12-week combat trauma recovery course.

Created to aid service members and their families work through their post-traumatic stress and rejoin civilian life, the course addresses the concept of soul wounds in an effort to heal the mind, body and soul. 

The fresh approach offers a unique blend of clinical insight and faith-based support in the  form  of  weekly  classes  that  include  topic-based  instruction,  class  discussions, homework,  group  exercises  and  a  family-style  meal.  In  contrast  to  traditional  mental health treatment options, REBOOT is led by volunteer veterans and provides practical 

solutions for healing moral injuries, which has led to reduced suicide deaths, increased veteran employment, decreased divorce rates and restored communities. 

The Field House, located in Harker Heights, TX, is an old-school style gym. They have a large selection of weight lifting equipment, a cross-fit area, a room for women to lift away from the rest of the workout area, an open mat room for groups or to use loose equipment such as exercise balls, steps, and more. 

They have donated certain gym times for individuals in our program to use individually or as a group with our peer-support and counselors at no cost. Our program offers a Women's Self-Defense class from one of our board members who is a world Ju-Jitsu Champion. The fitness part of our program works towards mental health as the Veterans or active duty work towards personal goals and fight self-defeating mental blocks. Watch on our Facebook page to see when we will be at the gym to support and work together to successgully reach goals.

MJ Kitchen is a local restaurant serving Puerto Rican cuisine. The owners are a Veteran and his wife. They and their family work together to operate the business. All work to bring authentic Puerto Rico flavors to the local area of Harker Heights, TX.

MJ Kitchen started small as they focused on providing meals to Veterans who needed something to eat. After many locals encouraged them to find a fixed location to serve more people, they bought themselves a place to do just that. Even though they sell meals now, they still work to help Veterans in their local area.

They are willing to help us provide support to Veterans in different ways and allow us to have fundraisers at their restaurant. If you are in the local area, please stop in and enjoy some of their delicious homemade authentic cuisine.

Check out their website: www.mjkitchen.biz