No veteran should have to face transitioning back into civilian life alone.

Veterans make up just 6% of U.S. adults, yet account for nearly 20% of suicides. Every day, about 18 veterans die by suicide.

The first year after discharge is often the most vulnerable. Without connection, guidance, and follow-through, too many face it alone. We built a better way.

63%

Veterans experience

isolation.

44%

Struggle with identity restoration.

57%

More likely to die by suicide than civilians.

18-35

Veteran ages most at risk of suicide.

The Why Behind Our Mission

In Memory Of Ben

Benjamin served with honor aboard the USS Russell from 2015 to 2021. Just 18 months after coming home, he died by suicide at only 30 years old.

After discharge, Ben never received a single check-in call. No consistent guide. No clear bridge back into civilian life. His story is heartbreaking — and far too common. His loss revealed a painful truth: too many service members leave behind structure, purpose, and community, only to face one of life’s hardest transitions alone.

Rebecca Chalson launched Brave Connections 501(c)(3) and Veteran Concierge™ in Ben’s memory to provide the “big sister” support she wishes he had received. Our signature program, BridgeBack™, is a peer-support transition program delivered at no cost through the Veteran Concierge™ mobile app.

Whether you are a civilian, business leader, advocate, or veteran, your support can help build the bridge for recently discharged service members as they find their way home.

Watch Our Mission In Action

TV Interview With Founder

My Brother's Story

Veteran Concierge Launch

Understanding The Transition Divide

Recently discharged service members don't lack resources. They lack a clear entry point and trusted guidance once they come home. The gap between military and civilian life is real. Together, we can help create that bridge back home.

Digital. Humanized. Scalable.

Veteran Concierge™ is a full-service nationwide resource connector program that is fully virtual and digitally based. Instead of handing veterans a long list of links and hoping something sticks, we combine an online platform with a human support model that reinforces follow-through.

Veteran Concierge

Veteran Concierge™ is the first nationwide peer-powered resource connector platform. Accessible through a mobile app and built to streamline onboarding, strengthen connection, and scale support.

BridgeBack Programs

Veteran2Veteran™ is our first BridgeBack™ program to launch. Peer support and milestone tracking so that no veteran falls through the cracks. Future programs will support their families.

Certified Ambassadors

Trained resource connector ambassadors expand the reach of Veteran Concierge™ nationwide through a scalable, community-powered model.

Community Partners

Through sponsorships and trusted veteran-support networks, we offer a proactive suicide-prevention solution. Connecting veterans to support before crisis begins.

Why We Are Different

All-Inclusive Transition Program

Interactive & Humanized

Real people. Real guidance. Personalized support that meets each veteran where they are.

Scalable With

Metrics

A digital platform built to track engagement, milestones, referrals, and outcomes.

Certified Ambassadors

Trained connectors who provide trusted guidance and resource navigation to no-cost support.

Clear Path

Forward

A structured bridge from military to civilian life, helping veterans and families know where to start.

Become A Certified Ambassdor

Open to both veterans and civilians.

Become a trained resource connector equipped to refer service members

to the support they deserve.

This certification takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete and includes:

The Empowered Connector - Ambassador Training

RESOURCE NAVIGATION & CONFIDENT CONNECTION

Learn how to become an empowered resource connector through practical ambassador training designed to help you guide veterans and families toward trusted support with clarity, compassion, and follow-through.

This training introduces the role of a Veteran Concierge™ Ambassador, how to identify needs, make meaningful connections, easily refer to no cost resources using the Veteran Concierge™ directory, and support veterans without trying to replace clinical, legal, or crisis professionals.

More Info:

- Defines the role and boundaries of a Veteran Concierge™ Ambassador.

- Teaches how to listen for needs and connect veterans to appropriate resources.

- Includes guidance on using Veteran Concierge™ as a free resource connector platform.

- Helps ambassadors support veterans with dignity, confidence, and care.

- Reinforces connection, follow-through, and responsible referral practices.

SPEAK Up™ Method - Self Advocacy Training

SELF-ADVOCACY | MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

Learn the S.P.E.A.K. Up Method™, a brave-conversation framework created to help ambassadors better understand the challenges veterans may face when speaking up about their mental health.

Spot the signal

Pause the pattern

Express what’s real

Ask for what you need

Keep connecting

This training teaches how to self-advocate with dignity, recognize when support may be needed, and create safer conversations around transition, identity, and emotional well-being. Includes practical guidance on using Veteran Concierge™ as a free resource connector platform.

QPR Gatekeeper Certification - Suicide Prevention Training

SUICIDE PREVENTION | EARLY INTERVENTION | LIFE-SAVING REFERRALS

Receive evidence-based suicide-prevention training by the internationally recognized QPR Institute. Recognize warning signs, ask the right questions, and connect veterans to life-saving support. Created by the QPR Institute, founder of the Question, Persuade, Refer model. Established in 1995 with over 8 million people trained worldwide.

More Info:

- 1.5-hour live virtual training.

- Facilitated by Rebecca Chalson, QPR Certified Instructor and Founder of Veteran Concierge™.

- Includes a QPR booklet with reminder card and QPR Gatekeeper Certificate.

Veteran Insights - Video Vault Access

TRANSITION EDUCATION & REAL-WORLD GUIDANCE

Access the Veteran Insights Video Vault, a growing library of practical trainings, expert conversations, and lived-experience insights designed to help ambassadors better understand the realities of life after service.

These on-demand resources help strengthen awareness around transition challenges, mental health, identity, benefits navigation, family support, and community reintegration so ambassadors can connect veterans with greater confidence and care.

More Info:

- Includes access to curated video trainings and resource-focused conversations.

- Features insights from veterans, advocates, subject-matter experts, and community partners.

- Designed to help ambassadors better understand transition-related challenges.

- Supports ongoing learning beyond the live certification sessions.

- Helps ambassadors become more informed, confident resource connectors.

Public Recognition - Social Media & Ambassador Wall

VISIBLE SUPPORT & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Be recognized as part of a national community standing up for veterans and families navigating life after service through the Veteran Concierge™ Ambassador Wall and virtual badge.

This recognition helps ambassadors show their commitment, raise awareness, and invite others to join the mission of building a stronger bridge of support for recently discharged veterans.

More Info:

- Receive a virtual ambassador badge to display your support.

- Receive recognition on social media & the online Veteran Concierge™ Ambassador Wall.

- Show your commitment to helping veterans and families find trusted resources.

- Help raise visibility for the BridgeBack™ and Veteran Concierge™ mission.

- Inspire others to step forward as resource connectors in their own communities.

Nationwide Virtual Networking - Meet Influencers, Leaders, & Advocates

COMMUNITY CONNECTION & NATIONAL COLLABORATION

Join a nationwide network of Veteran Concierge™ Ambassadors, veteran advocates, community partners, and mission-driven leaders committed to helping transitioning service members and families find support.

These virtual networking opportunities create space to share resources, exchange ideas, build referral relationships, and strengthen the bridge between veterans and the people ready to help them.

More Info:

- Connect with ambassadors, veterans, civilians, advocates, and community partners.

- Build relationships with others serving the veteran-support community.

- Share trusted resources, local insights, and best practices.

- Strengthen referral pathways across communities and states.

- Be part of a growing national movement to support life after service.