Bastion’s brain injury program expands to “Military City USA”
Headway has been changing lives in New Orleans for over six years, and we are thrilled to announce that this transformative TBI day program now serves the veterans of San Antonio. Thanks to our founding partner Wounded Warrior Project, Headway-San Antonio is established as our first expansion site, serving post-9/11 veterans living with a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other neurological conditions in Bexar County.
Historically, San Antonio has been a major hub for military families, veterans, and active duty service members. Headway is proud to be joining the impressive network of veteran organizations that serve this community, filling an important gap through our proven model of community reintegration for a population of veterans with unique support needs.
Traumatic brain injuries are often an invisible and misunderstood condition. They present complex, lifelong challenges for both veterans and their loved ones. That’s why our New Orleans team developed a person-centered program that provides individualized services within a group setting – they recognized that while each veteran’s TBI experience is distinct, it is their shared desire to connect, grow, and serve one another that will carry them through the difficult days and beyond. Much like Bastion’s original residential community, Headway harnesses the power of relationships to help veterans thrive.
“Bringing Headway’s mission of compassion, loyalty, and community to my hometown fills me with pride as we offer veterans the radical empathy and enduring support they’ve earned. Having so many local partners join us at our grand opening was such a gift and underscored the value of sharing community and caring for one another,” Katie Odom, DSc, OTR/L said. Katie is the new Program Manager of Headway San Antonio.
“Together, we answer the call to build a community and program where every veteran is seen, valued, and supported.”
Headway reimagines what veteran TBI support looks like: it takes place in the communities where veterans build their post-military lives, reaching past traditional hospital settings or the confines of a set-duration program. It promotes self-love, flexibility, and most importantly, independence. Veterans gain functional skills and new perspectives to help them adapt to life after military service.
Through our partnership with WWP, Headway provides veterans with occupational therapists, community-based wellness providers, art and music therapists, and more completely free of cost. Veterans engage in a wide variety of weekly offerings (educational workshops, recreational outings, and everything in between) while their families get the respite they need on a consistent basis.
Every veteran’s Headway journey looks different: here in New Orleans, we have veterans who “graduated” and moved on to full-time employment, schooling, or home ownership while remaining members of our community. We also have veterans who joined us on day one and continue to make new strides every single day that they never dreamed possible before Headway. Veterans set their own specific short and long term goals, allowing them to grow in different ways at different paces while benefitting from the support and camaraderie of their peers. Dedicated staff members give veterans the tools, knowledge, and resources to reach those goals and make adjustments accordingly. Growth isn’t linear, and our Headway team prioritizes dynamic, personalized care for a holistic approach to TBI support.
This month, our New Orleans and San Antonio Headway teams joined together at the Endeavors Health and Wellness Center for a beautiful ribbon cutting ceremony. The love, support, and hope in the room was palpable.
“What an incredible launch! Our grand opening marks the expansion of a proven model that’s making a real impact for veterans. It’s a privilege to be part of Headway San Antonio, a program that uplifts and empowers veterans through socialization, support, and shared experience,” Marina De Leon, Headway San Antonio COTA said.
“Seeing members of the community and our dedicated partners come out in support at the event was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we stand united behind a common purpose.”
See more photos from the grand opening of Headway San Antonio here.