Rebuilding Purpose:
Undaunted Warhorse Initiative Empowers Veterans with Housing, Hope
By Sonia Duggan
Bradley Tiegs spent years serving others—as a Marine, a teacher, and a coach—but it wasn’t until 2019, nearly two decades after his military service, that he learned asking for help could lead to a new mission.
While seeking treatment for a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, the Lavon resident met a Vietnam veteran known as “Yosemite Sam” who, at over 70 years old, was facing homelessness again after leaving the same facility. Years of systemic neglect and maltreatment had made Sam unwilling to return to a shelter.
“I told him, ‘The VA has to have something to help you,’ and offered to put him up in a hotel while I started doing some research,” Tiegs said. “I started to find out there really is no help from the VA that doesn’t go through an incredible amount of red tape.”
That encounter marked the beginning of the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative (UWI), a nonprofit Tiegs—now a realtor— co-founded in 2020 with Jeff Johnson, a veteran with a construction background. Together, they aimed to combine their life experiences and expertise. Tiegs is the visionary; Johnson focuses on finding ways to make things happen.
“We wanted to join our different networks and skill sets to make a bigger impact,” Johnson said.
At first, they envisioned a shelter for homeless veterans—including Sam. While rehabbing a farm property for some investors, they were offered a chance to use the space temporarily. It wasn’t permanent, but the extended stay gave them just enough time to secure housing for Sam and three others before the property was sold.
“We found out very quickly that when you’re helping the chronically homeless, many are in that situation by choice—not because they lack access to resources,” Tiegs said.
After that experience, UWI paused for a year to evaluate its mission, leadership structure and overall direction.
The nonprofit recently retooled its mission statement, now focusing on “empowering veterans to reclaim the confidence, resilience, and leadership they embodied in service” and helping them “build lasting success” through mentorship and access to resources—preventing crises such as unemployment, incarceration and suicide.
In addition to Tiegs and board president Jeff Johnson, the UWI board includes Secretary Jamie Benetto and Directors Scott Willoughby, Melanie Davis, Les Standerfer and John Houston. All are veterans, except for Davis, a former Wylie resident, author and longtime advocate for service members. She is the founder of both the Triumph Program and the H.O.N.O.R. Mentoring Program, which support justice-involved inmates through rehabilitation and purpose-driven mentorship. Davis’ experience building these initiatives adds a critical dimension to UWI’s mission, as the organization works to expand veteran-focused programming.
“They want Texas to be the flagship for veteran mentoring in Texas,” Johnson said.
Temporary housing on wheels
Armed with a clear vision, Tiegs said they’ve discovered one of the most effective ways to help veterans at risk of homelessness is by offering mobile, flexible housing solutions—specifically through RV placements.
Currently, the nonprofit operates a small but impactful fleet of RVs stored on land owned by a board member. They’re also looking toward the future, focusing on creating a self-sustaining community called Warhorse Corrals, envisioned as a mixed-use RV park where veterans and civilians share space—breaking down stigma while supporting veteran housing with revenue from commercial leases.
“We want to make about two-thirds of the park commercial,” Tiegs said. “That way it can support the one-third that is veteran, and it can be self-sustaining.”
While many organizations focus on the chronically homeless, Tiegs said UWI’s goal is to reach veterans before they hit that point.
“We’re really looking for people that are on that fringe that we can help get to the next step,” he said. “We’re trying to fill that gap.”
UWI partners with organizations across the state and beyond, including the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic, the Veterans Administration, PTSD Foundation of America’s Camp Hope, Texas Valor Project and more. These partnerships help ensure veterans receive mental health and emotional support before placement in an RV.
“If they’re struggling with some of those issues, we don’t want to put them in an RV and in a situation where they’re not going to have any support,” Tiegs said.
Once a veteran is stable and ready, UWI steps in to provide housing and support services—including help applying for benefits. Tiegs, a certified Veterans Service Officer, works one-on-one to ensure veterans receive the assistance they’re entitled to.
“Often they don’t think they deserve it,” he said. “They’d be surprised at what they can get.”
In just a few years, UWI has already made a difference in the lives of veterans. When tornadoes struck near Sanger last year, the organization provided an RV to a veteran park ranger couple who lost their home and were living in their car. UWI not only rallied support and raised funds for the couple, but also helped other veterans impacted by the storm.
Recently, when a Vietnam-era veteran lost his Mabank home in a house fire, UWI donated an RV, organized fundraising efforts, and is now helping clear the land for rebuilding.
In another case, a 26-year-old veteran with an unstable living situation was temporarily housed in an RV while pursuing a better paying job or the opportunity to reenlist. Though ultimately unable to reenlist, he found a way to utilize his mechanical skills working with a Florida race team.
Tiegs emphasized that UWI doesn’t offer handouts. Veterans using RVs are asked to contribute a portion of their income—typically one-third—once they’re financially able. This not only supports the program but encourages financial responsibility.
“They’re not allowed to stay for free unless they have zero income,” Tiegs said. “We try to help them understand how to budget.”
The nonprofit also uses temporary space in existing RV parks and recently formed a partnership with Texas State Parks to house veterans in exchange for community service.
“We’re really a housing niche for people that are in danger,” Tiegs said.
Looking ahead
UWI’s biggest needs are donations of functional pull trailers, said Tiegs—“nothing fancy, nothing broken”—and angel investors to help fund the Warhorse Corrals project.
“It takes a lot of money to do our mission, but we’re working through it,” Tiegs said, adding that costs like land, RVs and trailer repairs add up. “We host golf tournaments, crawfish boils and other small endeavors to raise funds.”
Johnson encouraged fellow veterans and business professionals to get involved, noting that volunteers and mentors will continue to be essential to the nonprofit’s success.
As UWI continues to grow, the mission remains clear: to offer veterans more than shelter—a chance to rebuild, reconnect and reenter society with dignity.
“I want these people to be motivated,” Tiegs said. “And by taking away the stigma, being self-sustaining—that’s really the goal we’re working toward right now.”
“The transition from homeless to prevention has really made a difference,” Johnson added. “It’s helped us make a bigger difference… because we’re able to help people before they become homeless, before they lose their job, before they make a bad decision and end in jail—or even worse, commit suicide.”
To donate, visit warhorse.me
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