Stories from EDC
The mission, told by
the people living it.
The people who show up. The communities we serve. The moments that stay with us. And the stories that remind us why this work matters.
Our People
Why we show up.
Meet the people building EDC and the experiences that brought them to the mission.
Our People · Founder · CEO & President
The Army gave me a mission. EDC is what I'm building next.
Damian Garcia
U.S. Army veteran · Illinois Army National Guard · Founder, CEO & President
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Our People · Co-Founder · Board Member
A conversation at UIC became a Foundation.
Rogelio "Roger" Villa
U.S. Marine Corps veteran · Co-Founder · Board Member
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Our People · Vice President
Support shouldn't disappear when the uniform comes off.
Rebecca "Becca" Sheremeta
U.S. Navy veteran · Vice President
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Our People · Partnerships & Development
Leaving the military shouldn't mean losing your community.
Nicholas "Nick" Gilman
U.S. Army officer · Partnerships & Development Lead
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Our People · Community Outreach
Community gets stronger when we stop asking who gets credit.
Indigo Divine-Brown
Military-connected family member · Community Outreach Coordinator
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Our People · Director of Storytelling
I'm not a veteran. I picked up a camera anyway.
Mike Urgo
Community supporter · Director of Storytelling · Owner, RECON Media
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Community
The people at the center of it.
Veterans. Service members. Military families. Volunteers. Neighbors. The people who turn programs into community.
Your story could be next.
Veterans, service members, spouses, dependents, military families, volunteers, and community members. If the Foundation’s work touched you or someone you know, we want to hear it.
Recognition
For the people who show up.
Some people do more than participate. They open doors, bring others with them, and leave their communities stronger than they found them. We believe that deserves to be recognized.
From the Field
The mission in motion.
Stories from the programs, events, neighborhoods, and moments where the EDC mission becomes real.
From the Field · Operation Serve
Back to School Community Day
344+ backpacks. 25+ organizations. One neighborhood. Chicago, August 2026. Returning August 2027.
See the event
From the Field · Operation Adventure
What happens when we get outside together.
Field stories from EDC's outdoor programming are coming soon.
Recreation & Adventure
From the Field · Operation Next Mission
Emerging Leaders. The first cohort.
Follow EDC Emerging Leaders through their first assignments in 2027.
Growth & Opportunity
From the Field · Operation Anchor
Family programming on the ground.
Stories from EDC's family-first programming are coming soon.
Family & Belonging
Why we show up
Everyone has a reason
to S.E.R.V.E.
“Support shouldn't disappear when the uniform comes off.”
Rebecca "Becca" Sheremeta
Vice President · U.S. Navy veteran
“Sometimes service is standing behind a camera and making sure a moment worth remembering isn't lost.”
Mike Urgo
Director of Storytelling
“I want to help turn those conversations into something that lasts.”
Rogelio "Roger" Villa
Co-Founder · U.S. Marine Corps veteran
There’s another story here.
Help us find it.
Know someone who showed up, stepped forward, opened a door, served others, or made their community stronger? Tell us about them.
Nominations become internal cases for EDC review. We don’t publish anyone without their consent.