Supporting veterans: QXO for Veterans

Author: Amy Freeman | December 17, 2025

Whether they served their country locally or overseas, it's common for veterans to encounter challenges as they make the transition from the armed services to civilian life. The more than 18 million living veterans in the US need the support of their communities, family and friends as they adjust to life after service. Supporting veterans means understanding the common challenges they face, so you can help provide the resources they need to build a fulfilling, thriving life.

Challenges veterans face as they leave the services

Life in the armed services is considerably different from civilian life. Days for armed services members are structured and regimented while they are on active duty. They receive much of what they need for daily life, such as food, housing and health care, directly from the military. Once they are in civilian clothes, veterans may not know how to acquire such things for themselves and may miss the structure the military provided. In many cases, veterans don't feel that they are properly prepared for the transition.

A Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) poll identified the top challenges veterans face after leaving the military and transitioning back to civilian life. The top three challenges were:

• Finding a job/purposeful career
• Parting from friends in the armed services
• Loss of a regular routine/structure

Other common challenges included learning how to provide for themselves, acquiring necessities such as food, clothing and housing, and pursuing educational goals.

Programs that support veterans

The VA has a transition services program that aims to support veterans as they return to civilian life. However, a survey revealed that 85% of veterans didn't think the service provided enough support during the transition.

That's where the local community can step in.

Programs such as QXO for Veterans aim to fill the gap and give veterans what they need to rejoin civilian society and enjoy a thriving life. Established in 2019, Hope Outreach provides secure roofs to veteran homeowners, service organizations and Gold Star families. Each year, 14 individuals and two service organizations are chosen from the nominees to receive a new roof.

Hope Outreach is just one program for supporting veterans among many. Other examples of support programs include initiatives to hire veterans or help them improve their job readiness. The VFW poll found that 20% of former service members had never created a resume before leaving and needed assistance with the job hunt. They need help translating the many skills they acquired during their military service to the private sector.

Hiring Our Heroes is one example of a program that connects service members with employers as well as providing networking and job search assistance. Individual companies such as QXO also offer initiatives that target veterans and actively seek to hire them.

Supporting veterans in your community: What to do

As the owner of a roofing company, there are multiple ways you can support former armed services members in your community.

• Make an effort to hire veterans: During their time in the armed services, veterans develop many skills that can easily transfer to a private sector job. Your company can focus on seeking out veterans in your community and make an effort to prioritize hiring them, tapping into their valuable skill sets.
• Support programs that aid veterans: Another way to help veterans in your area is to participate in programs that actively support them. For example, QXO's Hope Outreach program is sponsored by several roofing products companies, including Tamko, CertainTeed, TRI-BUILT and Owens Corning. Connect with local programs and learn more about what you can do to get involved.
• Hold fundraisers: Get your company's employees on board with your veterans support programs by hosting a fundraiser for a local or national veterans organization. Your company can offer to match donations up to a certain amount, or provide incentives to employees who raise over a certain amount.
• Host an event: Events bring the community together. Your company can support an event that creates care packages for unhoused veterans or that collects blankets for hospitalized veterans. Another option is to combine an event with fundraising, such as hosting a walk, run or dance marathon to collect donations for an organization. You can also encourage your employees to nominate veterans they know for a program such as Hope Outreach.

Veterans have given so much to support and protect their countries. You can give back in many ways, from providing them with employment to propping up organizations that provide support.

Know a veteran in need of a new roof? Nominate them for the QXO for Veterans.