Endeavors to Hold Groundbreaking for New Veteran Wellness Center on Oct. 19

The center will provide El Paso veterans and their families with holistic mental health and wellness services

EL PASO, Texas — Thousands of veterans and their families are struggling everyday with physical and mental health issues in El Paso, but help is on its way.

National service organization Endeavors will host a ceremony celebrating the groundbreaking of the Veteran Wellness Center (VWC) on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 12 p.m. at 12135 Pebble Hills Boulevard in East El Paso.

The event will be attended by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, UTEP President Heather Wilson and Texas State Rep. César J. Blanco. It will include free food from local vendors and live music.

The VWC, which will provide a multitude of behavioral health and wellness services for Veterans, their families, and the community, is designed to fill the gap in mental health and wellness services for Veterans and their families, regardless of service, discharge status or family relationship.

“Our approach shifts from a traditional ‘sick care’ model to one that prioritizes wellness and quality of life,” said Dr. Jill Palmer, Endeavors Chief of Behavioral Health. “By integrating services, we can hopefully decrease suicide rates and help Veterans live a more fulfilled life.”

The state-of-the-art facility will be the second Veteran Wellness Center built by Endeavors. It will feature a unique wellness model that integrates mental health care, physical healthcare, holistic treatments and support services with the aim of improving quality of life and decreasing suicide among Veterans. The El Paso VWC is expected to open in 2024.

“We are excited for the opportunity to bring a holistic approach to wellness to El Paso Veterans and their family members,” Air Force Veteran and Endeavors President and Chief Operating Officer Chip Fulghum said. “From mental health services to fitness and wellness needs, this facility will provide so much to improve the lives of those who have made so many sacrifices for our nation.”

Once complete, the 42,000-square-foot facility will integrate light and natural elements designed to encourage wellness and social interaction. It will include a mental health clinic, a fitness center designed with accessibility for wounded Veterans, including amputees, a café, community rooms and a wellness hub. On-site childcare, transition support and assistance with VA benefits will also be available as well as an array of Veteran-owned businesses focused on wellness. Co-located at the center will be the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at El Paso, which Endeavors has operated since 2017.

“We are proud to bring a Veteran Wellness Center to El Paso. As a Veteran, I know firsthand that military service can have lingering effects that impact every aspect of life,” Endeavors Chief Executive Officer Jon Allman said. “Housing all these comprehensive services under one roof allows us to provide much-needed services to the men and women who valiantly served our country, as well as their families. Building a Veteran Wellness Center in El Paso is part of our commitment to bring the highest-quality behavioral health and wellness services to those who need it the most.”

Anyone interested in attending the event is asked to RSVP at https://bit.ly/3SXBnDf.

For more information on Endeavors, visit endeavors.org.