ACMF is a non-profit organization in Arizona that works with public and private partners to build the state’s capacity to support Arizona’s 500,000+ service members, veterans, and their families with a collective impact model that uses an upstream approach to suicide prevention. | | Thank You For Your Service | | |
Dear Friends and Supporters,
This time of year, many of us reflect on gratitude and the people who help shape our lives. For service members and veterans, this often includes hearing: “Thank you for your service.”
For some, those words bring warmth. For others, the gratitude can feel difficult to absorb, not because it’s unwelcome, but because it may not align with their personal experience. Serving was never about recognition. It felt like duty, purpose, or simply the job they signed up for.
It can feel strange to be honored for something that, in our minds, was an obligation and a privilege. Yet finding the right response is not always easy. One simple, powerful answer resonates deeply: “You were worth it.”
This simple, yet effective reply is a great way to acknowledge the sentiment and reconcile the appreciation with our own unique experiences of serving. The phrase is powerful because it speaks to intent. Veterans do not serve for recognition. It is about the people, communities, and values that were defended. Veterans serve because someone else’s safety, freedom, and opportunity matter more than their own comfort.
There is no single correct way to respond when someone says, “Thank you for your service.” But replying with “You were worth it” offers a simple, effective, and memorable response.
Learn more about how this response came about by reading the full story at ConnectVeterans.org/Thank-You.
| | Expanding SkillBridge in Maricopa County | | |
Understanding What Shapes Health
Arizona continues to step up for service members and their families as they prepare for civilian careers. Maricopa County recently reaffirmed its commitment to being an Arizona Veteran Supportive Employer, and ACMF is proud to partner with the County to strengthen that support.
Maricopa County’s recent news release highlights its commitment to be an Arizona Veteran Supportive Employer. We are proud to be their partner in this effort, working together to support service members and their families as they transition into civilian careers.
Together, we are expanding access to SkillBridge, a vital pathway that helps transitioning service members move into civilian careers with support and confidence.
With ACMF’s guidance, the next SkillBridge candidate has already been placed and will begin their on-the-job experience with Maricopa County. This momentum reflects what is possible when partners align around the needs of Arizona’s service members, veterans, and families.
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The Arizona Coalition for Military Families is proud to spotlight one of the extraordinary partners strengthening Arizona’s statewide ecosystem of support for service members, veterans, and their families. Warriors Code Inc., led by founder and CEO Dr. Anthony Newkirk, offers veterans not only services but a place to rediscover who they are and how to shape their journey ahead.
To understand Warriors Code, it helps to understand the journey that shaped it. Dr. Newkirk’s life story spans childhood adversity, military service, trauma, incarceration, cultural rediscovery, and academic excellence. He uses his journey to guide his fellow veterans, helping them discover their identity and chart their path forward.
Read more about Dr. Newkirk’s Journey: ConnectVeterans.org/Warriors-Code
We’re proud to partner with Dr. Newkirk, a man whose life embodies resilience, clarity, and the courage to walk through pain toward purpose. The Arizona Coalition for Military Families is honored to highlight Warriors Code and grateful for the impact it brings to Arizona’s military and veteran community.
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The State of Arizona has announced a new investment aimed at supporting veterans who are experiencing homelessness. Through the Homes for Heroes grant program, the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services has awarded $750,000 to expand access to transitional housing and supportive services for veterans across the state. The funding is part of a broader statewide effort to strengthen housing stability and connect veterans with resources that address immediate needs such as emergency shelter and access to care.
Read the Governor's Press Release
| | ACMF Shares Arizona's Model on the National Stage | | Nicola Winkel with conference colleagues at the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors Annual Conference, celebrating collaboration and shared learning. | | |
ACMF continues to represent Arizona nationally by sharing best practices and showcasing the strength of our statewide support network for our state's more than 500,000 service members, veterans, and their families. Recently, ACMF Project Director Nicola Winkel participated in two national events focused on improving services and strengthening community systems of care.
At the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors Annual Conference, held in Phoenix, Nicola joined TAPAZ and Arizona America250 during the opening plenary session. The discussion highlighted Arizona’s collaborative model, demonstrating how government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and community partners work together through ACMF’s public-private partnership to support military and veteran families. Arizona’s approach continues to stand out as an example of coordinated statewide action.
Nicola also presented as part of ACMF’s work related to postvention to a nationwide audience as part of a webinar titled “Support After Suicide Loss” held by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). She detailed ACMF’s work supporting survivors of military or veteran suicide, sharing lessons learned from Arizona’s multi-year efforts to create consistent outreach, trauma-informed practices, and meaningful connections to support. The presentation emphasized how communities can adopt practical strategies to better assist families navigating loss.
These national opportunities reflect ACMF’s ongoing commitment to advancing effective, community-based support and to elevating Arizona’s leadership in strengthening military and veteran well-being.
| | 2025 Class | Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame | | Arizona Coalition for Military Families Director Thomas Winkel was recently inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame after receiving a nomination from former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema. Pictured left to right: Martin Garcia, Amanda Yanez, Thomas Winkel, Nicola Winkel, and Cesar Torres. | |
Every year, Arizona recognizes a select group of veterans whose service to our nation did not end when their military careers concluded. These mentors, advocates, and community builders continue to strengthen our state through their leadership, volunteerism, and meaningful community work. Their contributions ripple outward, improving the quality of life for their fellow veterans, their neighbors, and the communities across the state.
Among the 2025 inductees is Thomas Richard Winkel, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and the Director of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families (ACMF). As our Director, Thomas’s work has shaped Arizona’s statewide support system for service members, veterans, and their families for more than two decades.
We extend our warmest congratulations to each of this year’s inductees. View the list here.
| | One Call. A Plan. And Breathing Room. | | |
A veteran on a fixed income was doing everything right, budgeting carefully and using fans to keep the house cool, but Arizona’s summer heat wasn’t letting up. And the electric bill just kept climbing.
He wasn’t in a full-blown crisis. He just needed some backup.
When he called the Be Connected support line, a real person answered. After understanding the situation, they got to work. Together, they looked at veteran-specific utility assistance, seasonal shutoff protections, and discount programs that the veteran didn’t even know existed and that he qualified for. By the end of the day, the veteran had a plan in motion to bring real relief from the heat and the bills.
“I had no idea this much support was out there,” he said.
That one call didn’t just solve the bill. It brought breathing room, peace of mind, and the confidence that next time something comes up… he’s not alone.
| | We're just a few months away from the 16th Annual Statewide Symposium in Support of Service Members, Veterans & Their Families in Phoenix, Arizona. | | Get ready for a series of exciting upcoming events that promise to bring the community together. From important historical observations, thought-provoking discussions to engaging activities, there's something for everyone to look forward to – mark your calendars and join us for memorable moments ahead! Visit ConnectVeterans.org/events for more information on these and other events. | | Follow Us on Social Media! |
| The Arizona Coalition for Military Families works collaboratively with government agencies, community members, and partner organizations to form an Ecosystem of Support that Arizona's service members, veterans, and their families can access through the Be Connected support line, 866-4AZ-VETS, and ConnectVeterans.org. Be Connected offers no-cost support and connections to resources and has trained more than 6,000 community members to provide resource navigation services. | | | | |
