USA Cares envisions a country where no veteran faces housing loss, job disruption or any other crisis alone. From its headquarters in Louisville, the organization offers a range of services designed to restore stability for veterans and their families in times of need.
“We want to eliminate factors that lead to veteran suicide,” USA Cares President and CEO Matt Castor said. “What that means is we stop evictions and foreclosures for veteran families before they occur. We make sure they have food, help them find jobs and keep their utilities on. By stabilizing the family, we can help prevent suicide attempts.”
Veteran suicide remains a persistent national challenge. According to the 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year. Castor noted that many factors can lead a veteran to consider suicide.
“It’s an important conversation to have,” Castor said. “There are so many factors involved when service members leave the military and lose their camaraderie, mission and focus. They often talk about not having a purpose anymore and feeling like a burden on everyone.”
That’s where USA Cares steps in. Focused on post-9/11 veterans, service members and their families, USA Cares was launched through a grassroots partnership between WAVE-3 TV in Louisville, the Mid-South Division of Kroger Food Stores and the Association of the United States Army Fort Knox Chapter. The organization was dubbed Kentuckiana Cares, with a goal to raise funds to help military families in financial crises through the sale of “Support Our Troops” yard signs.
In response to the increasing demand, Kentuckiana Cares evolved into what is now USA Cares in October 2003. The 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization has assisted thousands of veterans and military families facing hardships related to service. Since 2011, USA Cares has provided nearly $15 million in financial assistance, with almost 13,000 veteran and military households supported. Over 133,000 applications have been received and guided with support.
“We measure success when we can get cases paid,” Castor said. “When we encounter situations where someone is living in their car and we can get them into a better housing situation. When we can get a mom and child away from an abusive situation. We strive to give that family some peace and hope. If we can do that, we are successful.”
The Military Assistance Response Program at USA Cares provides financial support during moments of crisis so that families can stay on solid ground. It offers one-time emergency financial assistance for essential needs such as housing, utilities, transportation and food. Every application is reviewed, verified thoroughly and approved on a case-by-case basis, with no repayment required.
“We have case managers who work with these families and get them through the challenges they are facing at that moment,” Castor said. “If they’re in a financial crisis, we definitely want them to call us. If by chance we’re not able to help them, we’ll get them to an organization that can.”
Other benefits offered include a Career Transition Program that helps veterans find the right career after their service has come to an end. This program provides personalized guidance to help individuals prepare for the hiring process, from sharpening resumes and practicing interviews to matching skills with the right opportunities. USA Cares also works directly with corporate partners who value the unique strengths veterans bring, referring qualified candidates to open positions that fit their expertise.
Part of this program is a Career Support Program Corporate Fellowship, where current soldiers work for a civilian company during the week, then get together with fellow soldiers to discuss their experiences.
“This gives them a soft introduction to what a civilian career is going to look like,” Castor said. “Those conversations are what is the most important, when they’re sitting around and talking about how different it is working for someone who is younger and hasn’t experienced what they have. They want to take charge but they have to be patient with the civilian world that they don’t understand. The more we can facilitate those discussions, the better their transition will be from a mental health standpoint.”
Focusing on post-9/11 veterans allows USA Cares to specialize its programs and resources. This group often faces unique challenges, including high rates of PTSD after years of intense conflict.
“You’re looking at a huge surge of people who are going to need help,” Castor said. “They’ve been in conflict for so long and it’s such a large group of people coming back with unique challenges.”
USA Cares offers a number of ways to donate to its cause. They work with corporations and foundations to build customized programs that align with its goals and resources. In honor of the 22 veterans lost each day to suicide, USA Cares encourages monthly gifts of $22 per month.
“On average it costs us about $4,000 to stabilize a family,” Castor said. “We use that number a lot. This keeps the lights on and puts food on the table. It really makes a difference. Just as our name states, it lets someone know they care about them and that they’re not forgotten.”
While USA Cares is rooted in Louisville, its impact is felt nationwide. USA Cares was included in Ohio’s state budget, while funding from the Texas Veterans Commission has made it possible to scale up efforts in a state with one of the highest concentrations of veteran needs nationwide.
“We are pursuing other states for similar funding opportunities,” Castor said. “In many cases, we can respond to these veterans, stop an eviction in less than 48 hours and do it for about 85 percent less cost than the state can do it themselves. We are very effective and efficient and we’re looking to get that message out to our elected officials.”
Castor has seen firsthand what a difference USA Cares can make. He joined the organization five years ago, rose to president and CEO in January 2025 and is now focused on expanding its reach.
“As I started seeing the difference in these families’ lives, I just want to do more,” Castor said. “I’ve worked with elected officials around the country, trying to raise money and awareness. I want to get the word out about this problem.”
Moving forward, USA Cares wants to have a more national presence and expand what it offers to more veterans. It recently opened a satellite office in Austin, Texas, and Castor hopes to expand further in the future.
“We’re super proud to take that approach from right here in Kentucky,” Castor said. “It helps us to be rooted here. Our satellite offices allow us to be more local in those communities and put people in place who can focus on their community like we do with Louisville.”
For more information on USA Cares and how to donate, visit usacares.org.
