2025 YEAR-IN-REVIEW Veterans Advocacy Council CDC: A Year of Impact, Healing, Policy, and Power

Christina Thomas
Dec 22, 2025
4 min read

2025 Year of Impact, Transformation & Community Power

Veterans Advocacy Council CDC “Standing in the Gap for Veterans, Families, and Community.”

EXECUTIVE LETTER From Christina Thomas

2025 was a year of purpose, perseverance, and people. Through shutdowns, furloughs, community crisis, federal uncertainty, and statewide system failures, the Veterans Advocacy Council CDC stood in the gap — not as a nonprofit alone, but as a movement.

We fed families. We elevated small and micro businesses. We fought statewide for policy protections. We held federal rooms accountable. We expanded holistic healing. We opened doors for women veterans, elders, children, and the unhoused. And we built community resilience at a time when many were breaking.

This report reflects not just what VAC did, but who we are —a coalition, a cultural force, and a family.

— Christina Chris Thomas Founder & President, Veterans Advocacy Council CDC Chair, Veteran Voices – National Action Network NV

SECTION I — DECEMBER 2024: THE FOUNDATION OF THE YEAR

6888 Movie Night (Historical Education & Healing)

VAC closed 2024 honoring the first all-Black women’s battalion movie created by Tyler Perry on Netflix, VAC women and men went to the only public theater viewing party in Nevada to watch the party with hundreds of women in arms and a few good brothers ushers— 6888.A night of legacy, history, and recognition that set the tone for 2025.

Holiday Community Events

Food drives, veteran family support, and neighborhood outreach events. VAC showed up for those who had nowhere else to turn.

Congressional Office Open House

VAC was present at federal-level community gatherings, informing the public about veteran services, small business support, and mental health pathways.

Unity Prayer Breakfast Promo

A regional call for unity and faith-based partnership leading into the 2025 civic ecosystem.

SECTION II — QUARTER 1 (Jan–Mar 2025): FAITH, POLICY & COMMUNITY

Citywide Unity Prayer Breakfast

VAC helped bring local network city leaders, faith leaders, and families together to start the year with purpose and unity.

Congressional Engagement

Meetings with federal offices, strengthening safeguards for education, healthcare, and veteran services.

Women Veterans Garden Collective

A powerful circle of women veterans building healing through land, gardening, and sisterhood. This became one of the year's most photographed and inspiring programs.

Mind-Body-Spirit Events Begin

Meditation, grounding, sound healing, gratitude walks, and community wellness.

Art U OK (Mental Health Inclusion Downtown)

Creative expression as therapy for veterans and community members. VAC President held mind, body spirit sessions and gave another inspirational speech in honor of those living with mental health challenges and those looking to support mental wellness. The meditation and sound therapy sessions are done with and for the community at the historic school of arts annually with First Friday Foundation as the host.

Vietnam Veteran Events & Pinning Ceremony

March 2025:VAC created and facilitated the last commemoration of the federal pinning ceremony honoring Vietnam Veterans — a powerful intergenerational acknowledgment. Congressman Steven Horsford was there to present the pins to veterans and families of veterans

Lena King / 6888 Battalion Highway Dedication

March 29, 2025:Honoring Lena King and the 6888 Battalion with a historic Nevada highway dedication. A major cultural and veteran milestone. Mr. Rocco Lacey and Gary T. White led a ceremony alongside the highway with local, state and federal representatives to acknowledge the historical moment being made for Nevada.

SECTION III — QUARTER 2 (Apr–Jun 2025): HEALING, LAND & SYSTEMS CHANGE

Phoenix Workshop Launch

A holistic, trauma-informed, 4 week rehabilitation program serving veterans, caregivers, and community members at Nevada Partners.

Hydroponic Indoor Farm Visit

Learning sustainable farming, food sovereignty, and mental wellness benefits.

Equine Therapy Program Launch

VAC + Raw Horsepower = accessible equine-assisted learning for:

Veterans
Youth
People with MS, Parkinson’s, TBIs
Paraplegics
At-risk populations

First Friday Partnership Begins

VAC was activated monthly downtown:

Wellness
Mental health support
Veteran vendor support
Microbusiness stabilization during the shutdown

Meeting families where they are VAC & Montford Point Marines Chapter 46. Home pinning ceremonies.

Honoring trailblazers, including:

Mr. Andrus (three-time Bronze Star, Vietnam)
Ms. Yvonne Terrell (Vietnam Veteran 1964)

Powerful personal ceremonies of gratitude, intergenerational love, and community unity.

SECTION IV — QUARTER 3 (Jul–Sep 2025): FEDERAL & STATE POLICY IMPACT

Congressional Veteran Roundtable District 4

Hosted by Congressman Steven Horsford. VAC was a leading voice discussing:

Housing
Suicide prevention
Healthcare violations
Employment barriers
Food insecurity
Education policy
Mental health

Multidistrict Congressional Findings Tour

You served as a central organizer, collecting systemic failures and community recommendations for Congressional offices.

National Action Network Appointment

You were selected as Chair of Veteran Voices for Nevada — a major national leadership advancement.

Advocacy for CCSD Safety & Youth Protection

You pushed for accountability, transparency, and safety reforms for Nevada students.

State Committee Leadership

Representing VAC on:

Nevada State Health Improvement Plan Committee
Social Determinants Task Force

You brought veterans into statewide healthcare strategy conversations.

SECTION V — QUARTER 4 (Oct–Dec 2025): COMMUNITY POWER & NATIONAL PRESENCE

First Friday Downtown: Full Activation

VAC stood in the gap during the federal shutdown:

Feeding families
Supporting furloughed military workers
Helping microbusinesses survive
Offering mental health support

Feed The People Partnerships

VAC collaborated with community organizations to address food insecurity and rapid relief efforts.

Podcast Expansion

National conversations on:

Black History
Women’s History
Project 2025 analysis
Media influence
DEI rollbacks
Federal policy impacts

Holiday Outreach & Community Engagement

Closing the year with joy, warmth, and support for hundreds of families.

SPECIAL FEATURE – LIVING FREE SOULS (2026 PREVIEW)

Beginning January 2026:Monthly Mind-Body-Spirit Workshops led by Living Free Souls. A healing-centered professional offering with a portion donated back to VAC Foundation veterans.

Workshops include: