State Rep. Kathleen Cates urges New Mexicans to support programs that help veterans secure housing, find employment and rebuild their lives after military service

Kathleen Cates, Democratic state representative for New Mexico House District 44

Serving our country in the armed forces is one of the greatest acts of community service in America. Men and women give so much to keep our country safe. They serve in various capacities, including the reserves, active duty and the National Guard. We owe so much to those who have made our freedom possible. A simple “thank you for your service” is not enough. There is more we should do to express our gratitude for their sacrifices.

In New Mexico, there are approximately 122,000 veterans, representing roughly 8.2% of the state's adult population. Of those veterans, 38.4% have a service-related disability, 11% live in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and 1 in 10 people experiencing homelessness is a veteran. Veterans don't just give up time with their families to protect our communities — they make sacrifices that affect them years after their service. There is more we can do to support them when they come home.

The Veterans Integration Center provides transitional services for veterans. Its focus is on providing stable housing, building life skills, helping veterans find stable jobs and, most importantly, helping them find their place in the community. The center's goal is to give veterans a hand up by supporting them in critical areas of life to prevent the cycle of homelessness from continuing.

While saying “thank you for your service” is the bare minimum, there is so much more we can do to show our gratitude to the people who keep our country and communities safe. Reach out to your legislators and let them know you support funding for veterans programs.

Kathleen Cates is a Democratic state representative serving New Mexico House District 44, which includes portions of Sandoval and Bernalillo counties.