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Resources for our Esprit De Corps Foundation Community

Welcome. This page brings essential resources together in one place. Explore education, benefits, career tools, mental health support, housing assistance, and Illinois-specific programs. We verify listings and update regularly so you can find reliable help fast.

Submit a Resource

Community Contributions

01.

Best Military Discounts

Special thanks to Harper L., a Junior Girl Scout, who is working toward her Honoring Our Veterans patch and helped us discover a great military discount guide! Check out this alphabetized list of discounts available to veterans and military families, contributed with care and purpose.

Thank you, Harper, for supporting our mission and helping fellow veterans and families

03.

Honoring Veterans Through Military Wreaths

Special thanks to Melissa Hardy for sharing a resource on the tradition of military wreaths and programs supporting veterans and their families. This guide highlights ways to honor service members while learning about meaningful traditions that connect communities to our nation’s heroes.

02.

Mesothelioma Awareness for Veterans

Special thanks to Annika Ellis and the team at Mesothelioma Hope for sharing vital resources that support veterans and families impacted by mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Veterans account for 1 in 3 mesothelioma diagnoses due to asbestos use in the military from the 1930s to the early 1980s.

Explore their free, medically reviewed resources to learn more, find support, and connect with specialists who understand the needs of veterans and their families.

Veteran Benefits & Assistance

01.

VA Benefits & Services

Access healthcare, disability, education, and more.

03.

National Resource Directory

Connects veterans to services like housing, employment, and healthcare.

05.

Wounded Warrior Project

Provides mental health and career support.

07.

American Legion

Assistance with benefits, scholarships, and community programs.

09.

Cook County Veterans Assistance Commission

Provides emergency financial assistance and services.

11.

Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG)

Full tuition coverage for Illinois veterans at state colleges and universities.

02.

eBenefits

Manage VA claims, records, and military documents.

04.

Veterans Crisis Line

24/7 mental health support for veterans. Call 988, then Press 1.

06.

DAV (Disabled American Veterans)

Helps veterans access VA benefits and transition support.

08.

Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs

State-level assistance for Illinois veterans.

10.

Illinois Warrior Assistance Program

Free and confidential mental health support for Illinois veterans and families.

12.

Illinois Veteran Homes

Long-term care facilities for eligible veterans.

Education & Career Development

01.

GI Bill Benefits

Learn about tuition assistance for veterans.

03.

Onward to Opportunity (O2O)

Free career training and certifications for veterans.

05.

LinkedIn Premium for Veterans

Free LinkedIn Premium for one year.

07.

Scholarships for Veterans

List of financial aid opportunities.

02.

Vet Success on Campus (VSOC)

Education and career counseling for student veterans.

04.

Hiring Our Heroes

Veteran job fairs, networking, and resume-building help.

06.

Coursera for Veterans

Free and discounted courses in business, tech, and more.

08.

SkillBridge Program

Paid internships and job training for transitioning service members.

Health & Wellness

01.

Make the Connection

Mental health stories, resources, and peer support.

03.

Home Base Program

Mental health services for veterans and families.

05.

Veterans Yoga Project

Free yoga and mindfulness programs.

02.

PTS Coach

A free app for PTS management.

04.

Team RWB

Fitness and community events for veterans.

06.

VA Whole Health

Personalized health coaching and holistic care.

Financial & Housing Assistance

01.

VA Loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Request

Apply online through VA.gov, request by mail, or work with a VA-approved lender to obtain your COE, which is required to access VA home loan benefits.

03.

HUD-VASH Program

Housing assistance for homeless veterans.

05.

Operation Homefront

Emergency financial assistance for military families.

02.

VA Home Loans

VA-backed mortgage loans.

04.

Illinois Veterans Housing and Mortgage Assistance

State home loan programs for veterans.

06.

PenFed Foundation

Grants and support for housing, employment, and small business ventures.

Spouse & Family Resources

01.

Military OneSource

Counseling, education, and employment resources for military spouses.

03.

MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Account)

Up to $4,000 in tuition assistance for military spouses pursuing education or certifications.

05.

Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship

Career support and job placement assistance.

07.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Grief support for families of fallen service members.

02.

VA Caregiver Support

Resources and financial assistance for spouses who care for disabled veterans.

04.

National Military Family Association

Programs and support for military families.

06.

Illinois Family Assistance Centers

Support services for military families in Illinois.

Nonprofits for Veterans & Spouses

01.

Wounded Warrior Project

Provides mental health support, physical wellness programs, career guidance, and community reintegration for injured veterans.

03.

Bunker Labs

Empowers veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs by providing access to business networks, mentorship, and startup support.

05.

Blue Star Families

Builds communities of support for military families by offering resources, networking events, and career tools for spouses.

07.

Mission 22

Offers treatment programs and community support for veterans battling PTSD, TBI, and suicide risk.

09.

Semper Fi & America’s Fund

Provides immediate financial and lifelong support to critically wounded, ill, and injured service members and their families.

11.

Travis Manion Foundation

Builds character in youth through mentorship by veterans and Gold Star families, emphasizing leadership and service.

02.

Veteran Business Project

Connects transitioning military, veterans, and spouses with resources and mentorship to start or acquire businesses.

04.

Team Rubicon

Unites military veterans with first responders to deploy emergency response teams in disaster zones across the country.

06.

Gary Sinise Foundation

Serves America’s defenders through smart homes, relief grants, caregiver support, and community outreach programs.

08.

National Military Family Association (NMFA)

Advocates for military families and offers spouse scholarships, child camps, and wellness programs.

10.

Warrior Rising

Helps veterans become entrepreneurs by offering training, mentorship, and funding access.

12.

Wounded Warriors Family Support

Supports families of injured service members with caregiver retreats, mobility solutions, and respite services.

Submit Your Resource

205 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 810

Chicago, IL 60601

312-219-5015

info@espritdcf.org

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