Moving Veterans Forward celebrates 15 years of helping homeless vets

Nonprofit provides food, furniture, and appliances to get veterans back on their feet in Omaha and Council Bluffs

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:37am

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Moving Veterans Forward, a Papillion-based nonprofit, is celebrating 15 years of helping homeless veterans in Omaha and Council Bluffs by providing essential necessities like food, furniture, and appliances after they find housing. The organization says it has assisted over 3,000 veterans during this time, with the true impact extending to their families and friends as well.

Why it matters

Veteran homelessness remains a persistent issue, with many former service members struggling to reintegrate into civilian life. Organizations like Moving Veterans Forward play a crucial role in supporting this vulnerable population and helping them regain stability and independence.

The details

Moving Veterans Forward was founded by veteran Ron Hernandez, who served in the Army for 23 years. The nonprofit operates out of Papillion, Nebraska, and has grown from Hernandez's garage to a larger operation over the past 15 years. In addition to providing material goods, the organization also helps mend relationships between veterans and their families and friends.

  • Moving Veterans Forward was founded 15 years ago.
  • The organization has assisted over 3,000 veterans during this time period.

The players

Moving Veterans Forward

A Papillion-based nonprofit that provides food, furniture, and appliances to help homeless veterans in Omaha and Council Bluffs get back on their feet.

Ron Hernandez

The founder of Moving Veterans Forward, who served in the Army for 23 years.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of them continue serving even though they're out. In their mind they're still remembering what happened to them and what they did, and when someone needs help you gotta help them.”

— Ron Hernandez, Founder, Moving Veterans Forward

“The most difficult is the very beginning and that is asking for help.”

— Ron Hernandez, Founder, Moving Veterans Forward

What’s next

Moving Veterans Forward is planning to move into a larger warehouse to expand its storage capacity and better serve the homeless veteran population in Omaha and Council Bluffs.

The takeaway

Moving Veterans Forward's 15 years of service to homeless veterans in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area demonstrates the critical role that community-based nonprofits play in supporting vulnerable populations and helping them regain stability and independence.