A DIRECTORASSOCIATIONFROMWORDTHE PAGE 9 REGISTER TODAY! CLICK HERE AUG 2022 CORNERCOUNSELINGHOUSING PAGE 12 HONORING THE PURPLE HEART & IT'S RECIPIENTS PAGE 16 VAREP FACES IN THE CROWD PAGE 31 OCTOBER 9 - 11, 2022 GRAND HYATT SAN ANTONIO SAN ANTONIO, TX
VAREP experienced tremendous growth and recognition in 2021 for the important work that we do. Each of you should be proud and stand tall knowing that your passion to empower veterans to realize the American Dream of homeownership has enabled VAREP to be recognized by key leaders in the real estate, financial, and government sectors as the authority on, and voice of, military and veteran financial-literacy and homeownership.
• VAREP is a 501.c.3 nonprofit organization that was founded to directly educate the 1.4-plus million active military and 22-plus million veterans on sustainable homeownership, financialliteracy education, VA loan awareness, and economic opportunity.
SENIOR WEB DEVELOPER Francisco Labias WEB DEVELOPER David Santana CONTACT HEADQUARTERSVAREP 495info@VAREP.net951·444·7363E.RinconSt., Suite 110 Corona, CA www.VAREP.net92879
VAREP ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM 2014 - 2022
Son Nguyen VAREP Founder and President
• $70,000 in the form of housing assistance grants for down-payment, closing costs, and adaptive needs. This was in partnership with the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA).
A Letter From Our President VAREP NATIONAL NEWS ROGER THAT AUG 2022
• 50 homes donated mortgage-free to deserving heroes across America. 1,500 military and veteran families realized the American Dream of homeownership through our programs and services. 20,000 real estate and lending professional were trained as a result of the 80 live events and online membership training. 5,000 military and veteran families educated about homeownership, financial literacy, and the VA loan program through the live Veteran Housing Summit events hosted by VAREP local chapters across the country.
VAREP Comparison to Other Veteran Nonprofits
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The comparison chart to the right shows that we fill a much needed gap in financial-literacy and housing components that the other veteran service organizations simply do not offer…In other words: We complement them and do not compete with them. Our organization has only scratched the surface of creating awareness and having people rethink how to better serve underserved military and veteran housing needs. To a great 2022...Cheers!
ABOUT SON
PUBLISHEREDITORIAL USA Homeownership Foundation, Inc.
Son Nguyen is the Founder and President of the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP). Mr. Nguyen creates, implements, and oversees the programs within VAREP including working with government agencies and policy makers to create and reform veteran housing policy to remove barriers to homeownership. He is frequently called upon as a subject-matter expert by government agencies, the real estate industry, the lending industry, and real estate trade organizations to consult on a variety of veteran housing issues. Mr. Nguyen has more than 19 years’ experience in real estate, public speaking, supplier diversity, curriculum development, and non-profit management. His record demonstrates innovation and leadership at the highest level. Mr. Nguyen established VAREP as a housing nonprofit for vets, by vets. He believes VAREP’s proactive stance of providing financial-literacy education and advocating homeownership can greatly impact homelessness among the veteran community, by both reducing the current epidemic and preventing future occurrences, one veteran at a time.
Mr. Nguyen entered the Navy in 1996 and served as a Radioman on the USS Vincennes (GC-49) and USS Constellation (CV-64). A proud service-connected disabled veteran, Mr. Nguyen holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from of the University of Florida and a Master’s in Organizational Management.
Dear VAREP Members, I present you “RT – ROGER THAT – AUG 2022” E-Zine Newsletter. This is the best way for VAREP National to communicate happenings within our organization to our membership.
• VAREP is the only organization that educates military and veteran families on the importance of financial health on the road to homeownership.
HOW TO EXPLAIN WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO I frequently receive phone calls from our membership on how to explain VAREP as an organization.
EDITOR Gretchen Mccroskey SENIORCREATIVEDESIGNER
• VAREP is the only organization that educates the real estate practitioner on the important housing-policy and lending initiatives that affect the military and veteran communities.
Depending on your audience, you may want to adapt the points listed below to introduce VAREP.
DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals
• 2,000+ military and veteran families were provided food, utilities payment, rent back payment, basic supplies, clothing, and blankets during the holiday season. This was made possible through our VAREPCares program implemented by the VAREP local chapters.
Jesus Lopez GRAPHIC DESIGNER Nick Preston GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jonathan Gifford
Financial Housing,MilitaryHousingAdvocateMilitaryCertificationLenderREALTOR,OutreachLiteracy,LiveCommunityDeceasedWoundedMortgageAffordableMilitaryCreditCreditHousingHousingVAFinancialInformationPeerFamilyPeer-to-PeerRehabilitationEmploymentPermanentApartmentLocalFurnitureHomeCriticalEmergencyEmergencyAssistanceFoodHomeRepairBabyItemsandApplianceRepairandHouseholdItemsMovingAssistanceTransitionalHousingHousingPlacementJobBoardwithRecreationalTherapyCounselingSupportRetreatsMentoringTechnologyTrainingAcademyLiteracyEducationHomeLoanProgramEducationEducationCounselingandDebtManagementEducationandDebtManagementCounselingandVeteranFirstLookHousingPurchaseProgramFreeDonatedHomesforWarriorandSpousesofWarriorsOutreachCommunityHousing,FinancialandEmploymentFairEventsHousingProfessional,andMilitaryandVeteranCourseandVeteranFriendlyDatabasewithaWrittenPolicyPlanandLendingPolicyConferenceandVeteranFinancialLiteracy,andEmploymentResourceCenter MILITARYFOUNDATIONWARRIORS HOMEFRONTOPERATION WARRIORWOUNDEDPROJECT USA CARESVAREPVETERAN COMPARISONNON-PROFITCHART Veterans = 22+ Million Active Duty = 1.4+ Million Wounded Warriors OEF, OIF, ND = 51,849 Active Duty Family of E1 - E6 = 1.1 Million Wounded Warriors OEF, OIF, ND = 51,849 Post Servicemembers9/11& Family XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Military and Veteran Housing Lending Policy XX WoundedXXXXXXXWarriorsXXXXXXX XXXXXX Target Audience NOTE: The non-profit comparison chart does not list the national minority real estate trade organizations including AREAA, NAHREP, and NAREB because we are not structurally set up as a trade organization. We have our membership whom we educate to better serve the military housing needs, but ultimately we are all here to serve the military and veteran communities. 3
N ATIONAL VAREPCONVENTION2022 VAREP 2022 CONVENTION POLICY CONFERENCE 2022AUG TABLE OF CONTENTS 2022 - 2023 NATIONAL EVENTS LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDERS............................ DESIGN CORNER.................................................. HONORING THE PURPLE HEART & RECIPIENTS........................................................IT'SPAGE 2 PAGE 10 PAGE 16 PAGE 20PAGE 9 PAGE 12 PAGE 28 PAGE 31 PAGE 14 LEGISLATIVE CORNER................. ....................... A WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR..................................... HOUSING COUNSELING CORNER.......................... NEC FACESUPDATE........................................................INTHECROWD.......................................... INTERNET SAFETY MONTH: AVOIDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNSAFE PRACTICES..........................................................INTERNET NATIONAL CONVENTION JUNE 25TH - 27TH, 2023 GRAND HYATT WASHINGTON WASHINGTON, D.C. OCTOBER 9TH - 11TH, 2022 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS STAY UPDATED AT: VAREP.NET/CONVENTION SEE PAGE 16 FOR ARTICLE STAY UPDATED AT: VAREP.NET/POLICYCONFERENCE
OCTOBER 9TH - 11TH, 2022 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS The VAREP National Convention will educate, develop, and empower current and future leaders within the VAREP organization. VAREP leaders and members will be equipped with the necessary tools to serve the military and veteran housing needs. Attendees will participate in sessions to exchange chapter best practices and to explore new ones together. REGISTER TODAY! VAREP.NET/CONVENTION SAVETHEDATE! 5
VAREP Orange County Chapter - Founded on March 11, 2013
Texas VAREP DFW Chapter - Founded on December, 2015
VAREP Miami Chapter - Founded on July 13, 2015
Georgia
VAREP San Diego Chapter - Founded on July 29, 2013
VAREP Atlanta Chapter - Founded on January 22, 2019
VAREP Fresno Chapter - Founded on January 30, 2019
Illinois VAREP Chicago Chapter - Founded on June 21, 2016
Oregon VAREP Central Oregon Chapter - Founded on February 12, 2019
Arizona
VAREP Tucson Chapter - Founded on January 28, 2015
VAREP San Antonio Chapter - Founded on December 10, 2013
VAREP Hampton Roads Chapter - Founded on September 5, 2018
Virginia
Hawaii VAREP Honolulu Chapter - Founded on April 04, 2014
California VAREP East Bay Area Chapter - Founded on August 24, 2017
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VAREP Northern Nevada Chapter - Founded on March 4, 2015
VAREP Prescott Chapter - Founded on June 27, 2019
Kentucky VAREP Louisville Chapter - Founded on June 14, 2018
Missouri VAREP St Louis Chapter - Founded on March 10, 2017
VAREP Northern Kentucky Chapter - Founded on June 13, 2022
Nevada VAREP Las Vegas Chapter - Founded on August 30, 2013
VAREP CURRENTLY HAS 29 CHAPTERS LOCATED IN 16 STATES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
VAREP San Bernardino Chapter- Founded on August 14, 2014
VAREP Central Florida Chapter - Founded on April 14, 2015
VAREP South Central Alaska - Founded on June 23, 2020
VAREP Sacramento Chapter - Founded on June 4, 2013
Washington VAREP Tacoma South Sound Chapter - Founded on December 15, 2014
Florida
Colorado
ACTIVE CHAPTERS
VAREP Phoenix Chapter - Founded on September 3, 2013
VAREP Denver Chapter - Founded on August 14, 2014
Alaska
VAREP Northern Virginia Chapter - Founded on May 30, 2018
VAREP Houston Chapter - Founded on March 30, 2015
Idaho VAREP Treasure Valley Chapter - Founded on May 17, 2018
13 CHAPTERS IN FORMATION Arizona VAREP Kingman Chapter- Coming 2023 California VAREP San Gabriel Chapter - Coming 2023 Colorado VAREP Colorado Springs – Coming 2022 VAREP Northern Colorado – Coming 2022 Florida VAREP Jacksonville Chapter - Coming 2023 Georgia VAREP Augusta Chapter - Coming 2023 New Jersey VAREP North New Jersey Chapter - Coming 2023 North Carolina VAREP Fayetteville Chapter - Coming 2022 Pennsylvania VAREP Philadelphia Chapter - Coming 2023 VAREP Pittsburgh Chapter - Coming 2023 Tennessee VAREP Nashville Chapter - Coming 2022 Texas VAREP Austin Chapter - Coming 2023 Washington VAREP Seattle / Bremerton - Coming 2023 7
REGISTRATION COMING SOON 8 SAVETHEDATE
The conference is filled with educational sessions and town halls to educate attendees on important housing policy, lending initiatives, and economic development affecting the military and veteran communities. VAREP members have the opportunity to meet with members of Congress to advocate VAREP’s Policy Positions on issues that affect military and veteran homeownership.
The chapters efforts over the last 10 years have allowed VAREP to be known as the only veteran nonprofit organization that focuses on successful homeownership.
Ernie Gonzales Association Director
What a better way to helping veterans than doing it with your brothers and sisters? VAREP has created strong bonds amongst the chapter leadership who have taken the extra step in networking. Not only at the conventions, but chapters leaders have also crossed state lines to be present at other chapter events, coteaching classes and even met up to take vacations together. One thing we have built in growing the mission of VAREP, is that we are all in this together to help One Veteran at a Time. Giving purpose and providing true relationships is our way to build camaraderie and creating retention Lastly, out of all VAREP member benefits, the most rewarding benefit is the community outreach that we do, which is the most common reason why people are attracted to this organization from the start.
Thank you for reading VAREP Nation, we are always available to you.
Retention…according to the Websters Dictionary the definition of retention is: “the fact of keeping something or someone in one’s memory.” VAREP chapters and national programs are built on retention and the goal of providing our members an experience that encourages them to renew membership. Our goal of each chapter leadership is to provide our members with 4 experiences as a member to enrich their lives. Education, Advocacy, Camaraderie and Community Outreach. These four member experiences done well by our chapters will help retain our members and provide opportunities for chapter leadership development.
Through quality and consistent education to your local real estate community, you are providing an avenue for real estate professionals to better serve your local veterans.
The Lunch and Learn series in the Leadership Toolbox is a great way to set a monthly learning trend that can only be provided by a VAREP chapter.
As chapters, we have an opportunity to impact our communities in many ways. Our VAREPCares events impact and change our veteran communities for the better. The members are looking for an outlet to serve their veteran communities and when a chapter is offering multiple opportunities, that keeps them coming back with a desire to give back even more, step up and take on a leadership role or become a committee chairperson. There is nothing more rewarding than being part of an active chapter that is serving the community and providing valuable experiences for their members to help with retention.
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The Military and Veterans Housing Certification (MVHC) CE course, which can be taken quarterly or more, provides real estate agents and lenders a deeper understanding and skill set when working with the VA Home Loan benefit. Chapter Directors can become certified instructors by attending a nationally sanctioned MVHC course and an instructor’s course followed by the steps in becoming a certified instructor. This allows you to present a class that provides both a certification and CE credits for real estate agents. Providing consistent education to your local real estate community will not only help with membership growth, but also with current member retention. As of this writing, our organization has made some major accomplishments with regards to the steps of becoming a Congressionally Chartered VSO and moving our policy positions forward. This form of group advocacy for veteran rights, benefits and knowledge is great for chapter retention and membership growth.
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR
A Ernie Gonzales
