We are Veterans Helping Veterans
Our vision is to provide FREE assistance to veterans, their surviving spouses and dependent children.
Our Mission
Veterans Support Group is dedicated to empowering our veterans by providing FREE support services and assist them in becoming valued, productive, and respected citizens who contribute to their community.
Our Vision
To provide transitional assistance to veterans (including the homeless) through the following services:
The Veterans House & Service Center (VHSC) is dedicated to having a “Hands On Approach” assisting our clients so that all areas of needs are met by providing Veterans, and their surviving spouses with access to care, reduction of re-submissions and re-encounters, bring increased awareness to veterans about illnesses related to their military exposures, and referrals to VA healthcare or VA community care in order to reduce preventable instances of heart disease, hypertension and stroke.
Why we’re Here
There are over 17K veterans who reside in Henry County and 20-30K in Clayton and surrounding counties. VSG believes with increased support from our community partners, we will be able to provide assistance to a majority of these veterans and their surviving dependents.
The Veterans House & Service Center (VHSC) is dedicated to having a “Hands On Approach” assisting our clients so that all areas of needs are met by providing Veterans, and their surviving spouses with access to care, reduction of re-submissions and re-encounters, bring increased awareness to veterans about illnesses related to their military exposures, and referrals to VA healthcare or VA community care in order to reduce preventable instances of heart disease, hypertension and stroke.
The VSG NEWS
3 JAN 2023
Retired Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Johnny Young of Community Church located on Jodeco Rd, Stockbridge stopped by and donated several boxes of toiletry kits for veterans and their families.
Thank you, Community Church, for your generosity and support for veterans and their families in the Henry County and surrounding communities!
Veterans support group, Inc.
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In-Kind Contributions Welcomed | Clothing | Shoes | Toiletries | Computers | Office Supplies | Canned Goods
Community support for veterans is about acknowledging their sacrifices and supporting their journey back to civilian life. By promoting awareness, advocacy, and direct support, VSG can ensure that veterans are not just appreciated for their past contributions, but also empowered for their future endeavors.
Our Senior Staff
Jim Dunn
Chief Executive Officer
US Marines Corp
Christopher Smith
Chief Operating Officer
US Army (Retired)
Curley Henry
Curley Henry
Director of Staff Operations and QC
US Army (Retired)
Our Volunteer Staff
Sandy Duke-Cole
Finance Manager
Jeramie Perkins
Claims Advocate
Alysha Landers
Executive Secretary
Sandra James
Clothes Closet Team
Cassandra Taylor
Claims Advocate
Darieus Owens
Social Media Manager
Ray Nickson
Facilities Manager
Darryl Dean
Assistant Facilities Manager
Billy Lee
Claims Advocate
Gloria Lee-Hawkins
Claims Advocate
Dr. Edgar Dillard
Training and Education Coordinator
Ron Clement
Chief Information Security Officer
What we Offer our Veterans
Service Connected Claims Assistance
We help veterans with the completion of VA Forms for compensation and benefits by researching and collecting of evidence to include in the VA compensation packet. Additionally, we request medical records, assist spouses with filling for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), referrals to Partner Organizations, request copies of DD214 or DD215, and assistance with creation of electronic VA accounts (eBenefits, myhealthevet).
Support Group Meetings
We facilitate weekly support group meetings that provide group provides participants with a confidential forum to discuss issues such as PTSD and other related topics. Our attending staff can provide information on treatment plans and facilities that provide a more in-depth treatment.
Meetings are held every Thursday night from 1830 – 2030 hrs.
Washer and Dryer Available
Homeless veterans and veterans without access to laundry facilities can use our washer & dryer when available.
Personal Hygiene Facility
We provide homeless veterans a safe place to come and shower as needed. Bathroom and showers are handicap accessible. Toiletries and personal hygiene items that have been donated by several organizations will to help veterans to get back on their feet.
What we Offer our Veterans
Hot Breakfast
Military Camaraderie
Veterans (especially homeless vets) can stop in and have a hot breakfast with us every Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Clothes Closet
The Clothes Closet provides clothing for veterans. The clothing is a mixture of gently used and brand new clothing (Donated by Ralph Lauren – Tanger Mall) and gently used clothing that has been donated to us from the local community. We have new and gently used women and men clothing.
Military camaraderie is a unique bond that transcends time, duty, and service. It’s a connection that’s often hard to describe yet so palpable for those who’ve experienced it. Whether on the front lines or during times of peace, the sense of belonging and mutual respect within the military community is unparalleled.
Judgement Free Zone
VSG offers a space free of judgment, where we can share stories of loss, trauma, and recovery. It’s a healing process where one realizes they aren’t alone. Their brothers and sisters in arms are with them every step of the way.
Our Board of Directors
Denise Gaines-Edmond
Chairperson
Is a 1984 A&T Graduate (AGGIE PRIDE) and received an MBA from the University of New Orleans and a second master’s in strategic studies from the US Army War College. She deployed to Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) and Kuwait, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Enduring Freedom, respectively. She’s a 30-year Veteran of the US Army, a retired Colonel and proud mother of Tre’, an A&T Alum as well. She is a Diamond-Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a Life Member of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., member of the NAACP, American Legion, and a former candidate for State Representative in Georgia. She currently resides in McDonough, Georgia.
Phyllis Brumfield
Vice Chairperson
Is the agency owner of Brumfield Insurance Agency. Phyllis is the proud parent of a daughter and son in Love who both served in the United States Air Force. I have a love for veterans, because I know the sacrifices that our veterans made so that we are free and safe. I volunteer with Veteran Support Group as the Clothes Closet Coordinator, the co- chair of the Women’s Support Group and VSG Board Member. This is a labor of Love! Proud parent of Air Force Veterans Antuan McNeal (Son-In-Law) and Angela D’Williams (Daughter).
Sandy Duke-Cole
Boardmember
Olde Towne Office Suites Tenant Leasing Manager-10 years
Volunteer Finance Coordinator VSG since 2013
Hometown: Forest Park, Georgia
Current Town: McDonough, Georgia
I love working! I love all my jobs and am willing to add new jobs if my current full-time job permits. This is how I ended up with VSG back in 2013. They leased a space at my current full-time job, and they needed assistance, and I was happy to volunteer my time when I heard their mission to help Veterans. It truly amazes me still to watch the volunteer senior staff along with the other volunteer staff with their passion and dedication in everything they do to assist Veterans! I hope to remain a part of this organization for as long as they let me!
Audra Caldwell
Board Member
Business owner in the Transportation Industry, wife, and mother of two. I served in the Georgia Army National Guard for 5 years as Unit Supply Personnel and cross-trained as an administrator in the S1 department of Headquarters HHD Ellenwood, GA. I treat others as I want to be treated; as well as treat those who need to be treated.
Edgar Dillard
Board Member
Born in VA & raised in NY he started his 20 year military career in the United States Air Force in 1972 as an intel specialist subsequently retraining into visual information, and finally Visual Information Manager for Air Force Combat Camera Command. In 1992 he retired at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E-8).
Educated as a Human Resources (HR) professional, Dr. Dillard has led HR teams as Executive/Director of Human Resources for New Orleans Public Schools, Wichita Falls Independent School District, and the Isle of Capri Casino. He has also coordinated HR activities for Habitat for Humanity and the Department of Health and Hospitals (LA).
He completed his doctorate in Educational Leadership at Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas. He also earned a Masters degree in Human Resources from Chapman University, CA, a Bachelor degree in Industrial Technology from East Texas State University, and Associate degrees in Accounting and Visual Information.
He is married to Irean Dillard (TOPS Area Captain) his wife for 51 years and has one daughter Aurelia Smith a Biblical Counselor and former Air Force Intelligence Officer.
April Lash
Board Member
Is a practicing attorney in Georgia and New York State. She received her B.A. Degree in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley. Her M.S. in Public Policy and Management Administration from Carnegie Mellon University, and earned a J.D. Degree from Jacob D. Fuchsberg, School of Law at Touro College. Her business focuses on Trust and Estate and Wills, Veteran’s Rights, Business Law, and Real Estate. Although running a business takes a huge amount of time, she remains committed to serving her community by volunteering as a board member for The Henry County Veterans Support Group, Inc. She founded a Non-Profit to help abandoned children. She is an educator that enjoys connecting and sharing with young and older adults. In addition, she was recently recognized in the 2020 Magazine Edition of: Atlanta People You Need to Know. She also received recognition as a Rising Attorney in 2021 Atlanta Magazine. Overall, she enjoys practicing law while serving her community.
Charles E. Jackson
Board Member
Served as the Eighth Army (3-star Command) Deputy Command and Operations Chaplain responsible for providing executive-level leadership and oversight for religious support operations, resource management, professional development for 58 Religious Support Teams, encompassing 8 installations on the Korean peninsula with over 155,000 personnel to include Service and Family Members. Charles served in the Army as an Enlisted Infantrymen Soldier with the rank of Specialist. He served at various levels as Chaplain from battalion, brigade, and senior chaplain. He deployed on Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, the Pentagon following 9-11 and Veteran of the Vietnam era. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel Army Chaplain in February 2013 culminating a thirty-three-year career. While deployed to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Charles served as Deputy Chief of the Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care/Clinical Pastoral Education Center on a 2-Star Command, the largest in the Department of Defense Health Care System. There, Charles managed, directed, and supervised spiritual and pastoral care to 60 chaplains and chaplain assistants, 260,000 soldiers, 440,000 beneficiaries, and 5,600 civilians in over 14 states.
Charles and his wife Sese have seven children and five grandchildren.
Our Supporters
Mayor Vincent
McDonough
Mayor Ford
Stockbridge
Our Supporters
Veterans support group, Inc.
action
action
In-Kind Contributions Welcomed | Clothing | Shoes | Toiletries | Computers | Office Supplies | Canned Goods
Community support for veterans is about acknowledging their sacrifices and supporting their journey back to civilian life. By promoting awareness, advocacy, and direct support, VSG can ensure that veterans are not just appreciated for their past contributions, but also empowered for their future endeavors.
Calling All Volunteers!
Calling All Volunteers!
We need YOU! Veteran Support Group (VSG) is an ALL-volunteer non-profit organization with a passion, vision, and mission to serve veterans, surviving spouses and dependent children.
Join us! When volunteering with VSG we strive to meet you where you are, offering a variety of opportunities such as:
Staff volunteers: Apply & Interview for a specific role within our organizational teams, (Advocacy, Volunteer mgmt., social media mgmt., Public Relations, IT support, Clothes closet, Food pantry, Operations, Food services).
Youth volunteers: High School JROTC programs, Scouts, and other youth programs can volunteer with parental consent and adult supervision from their programs in support of special events and as needed projects.
On call volunteers: Support special events and as needed projects.
Veterans Court Community Service: Recommendation from Henry County courts, Apply & Interview with our Leadership team.
Team Volunteers: Support specific staff leaders in social media mgmt., Public Relations, Volunteer mgmt., IT support, Multimedia tech, Clothes Closet, Food pantry, cleaning crew, and Food preparation.
Calling All Volunteers!
Calling All Volunteers!
Perhaps you don’t have time to support the Veteran Support Group mission by volunteering. We are a 501c3 Nonprofit, please consider making a regular or one-time tax-deductible financial contribution or donating an item of value instead.
Thank you! We are very happy to continue to serve Veterans and grow as an organization. Join one of our Teams by contacting us soon.