UTSA partners with VetStrong to provide local veterans with furniture from Chisholm Hall

Chisholm Hall at UTSA has been a hub for students wanting to live on campus since 1986.

MAY 11, 2022 – UTSA is giving individuals a chance to kick off their summer and support local veterans in need.

In preparation for upcoming upgrades and renovations to Chisholm Hall, the university’s oldest residence hall, Campus Services is donating the furniture in the building to VetStrong, a San Antonio-based nonprofit organization that provides household goods and furnishings to previously homeless veterans.

VetStrong will provide the items to recently rehoused individuals—veterans who were in temporary housing or shelters but are now in a permanent residence. Items available will include mattresses, bed frames, box springs, headboards, end tables, dressers and chairs.

Moving trucks will take the furniture to VetStrong’s warehouse in San Antonio. From there, the Texas Veterans Network will connect VetStrong with veterans in need of household goods and furnishings. 

“It is also gratifying that we are able to use this opportunity to give back to our local community.”

Campus Services and VetStrong have coordinated a two-day event to prepare the items for safe transport to VetStrong. Volunteers will remove the furniture currently in Chisholm Hall and safely pack it into the moving trucks. UTSA students, faculty and staff, as well as others interested in giving back and engaging with the community can register to help prepare furniture for transport from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 12 and Friday, May 13.

“Campus Services is proud to partner with VetStrong to provide our Roadrunners with this meaningful opportunity to engage with the San Antonio community and support our veterans,” said Kevin Price, senior associate vice president for UTSA Housing and Campus Services.

Renovations and upgrades coming to Chisholm Hall over the summer will include new furniture, adding an all-gender restroom to the first floor, additional ADA-compliant features, the full renovation of all 78 rooms, the laundry room, lounge and other common areas.

“We are excited to enhance the campus experience for our Chisholm Hall residents with this summer’s renovations,” said Lee Myers, director, campus services facilities and partner management. “It is also gratifying that we are able to use this opportunity to give back to our local community and support VetStrong by contributing to the great work they do.”

VetStrong was founded by U.S. Army veteran and two-time UTSA alumnus James Pobanz (’14, M.S.W. ’17) in 2017 and now helps over 200 veterans and their families each year. The organization is dedicated to showing compassion, empathy and community through its mission to provide basic essentials to veterans in need, giving back to those who have sacrificed through their military service.

Volunteers will receive a complimentary lunch and bottled water while supplies last.

— Elyse Brown