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Helping forgotten veterans

Huntsville Item - 3/3/2019

March 03-- Mar. 3--An organization with a deep local connection is set to be recognized for its work in helping forgotten veterans.

The Armatus Reintegration Program, which was founded with the sole purpose of serving incarcerated veterans, will receive the Governor's Award on April 8 in Austin. The effort aims to assist TDCJ in lowering recidivism through evidenced-based programs, and touched more than 400 individuals in its first full year of operation.

"It's not just me. It's all the volunteers," said Armatus Reintegration Program founder and CEO Rick Pritchard, a Marine veteran. "It's our first year doing what we're doing. ... We don't care if we get the recognition, but it gives us confirmation that we're on the right track."

Pritchard founded the program in 2017, but they did not begin working inside prisons until last year. By the end of 2018, they were working with veterans in 11 maximum and medium security units for two hours every week.

There are already plans to bring services to a 12th unit, in addition a 54-bed veteran-specific dorm that is opening at the Luther Unit.

"Too many of our nation's veterans return home with scars that can't be seen, but sometimes lead to incarceration," Congressman Kevin Brady said. "Programs like Armatus Reintegration help restore dignity to the life of these veterans and give them a second chance to once again become productive and proud members of our communities."

The success of Armatus Reintegration Program hinges on the commitment of a small but dedicated volunteer base. Pritchard estimates that he has "eight to 10" volunteers, in addition to his director of operations, an Army veteran.

"We're very picky," Pritchard said. "I vet the volunteers. This is a commitment, and not everybody can do what we do. There has to be a commitment to coming every week. I'd rather have a few volunteers that are committed, than have three times as many and they're only halfway in. ... Close to 85-90 percent of our volunteers are veterans themselves."

Aside from volunteer efforts, financial support is critical to the program's operation. Armatus Reintegration Program is funded entirely through grants and donations, and they are currently in need of money to launch the second phase of the program.

Armatus is in the process of purchasing a plot of land that is "keyturn ready," which would serve as the location of the program's development center. Here, veterans would help other veterans develop life skills. The facility would also serve as a transitional housing option for veterans leaving prison, with the ultimate goal of creating "100 percent veteran-made" trailers at the site.

The only missing piece is a little more financial assistance.

"Something we really want to start looking at is monthly support," Pritchard added. "It's easier to do a budget when you know that you have a certain amount coming in every month, and that's why we're looking for recurring donations. And of course, if somebody wants to write one big check, that can really help us out too."

For more information on donations or how to get involved, visit armatusveterans.org or contact Rick Pritchard at rick.pritchard@armatusveterans.org.

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(c)2019 The Huntsville Item (Huntsville, Texas)

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