LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The Department of Veterans Affairs is much more than the VA hospital. Through public-private sponsorships, the VA seeks to help veterans with the challenges they face after leaving the military.

“The stress is always there,” said Terri Tatum, now retired after more than two decades in the Navy. “It may not be the same as the person who retired before you, but the stress is always there.”

There are more than 40,000 veteran support organizations nationwide, but most aren’t connected in any way. Despite the resources available, retiring soldiers can feel lost, says John Fasano, community coordinator for the Veteran Sponsorship Initiative.

“Most of our soldiers will tell you they feel like they are on their own,” he said.

Maurice Wilson served in the Navy for 26 years and now works at Onward Ops, a nonprofit that supports veterans organizations across the country.

“It’s not as simple as just taking off the uniform,” Wilson said.

Wilson is the Regional Community Integration Coordinator at Onward Ops, which pairs veterans with a volunteer who checks in each week to make sure they have access to resources and reassures them they are not alone. Tatum knows firsthand how valuable that is.

“I know a sailor who got married and his wife left the service. She didn’t have that anymore… and the loss of community was the reason for that… she felt humiliated and didn’t know where to go,” Tatum said.

Peter Lanham was Tatum’s battle buddy at Onward Ops San Diego and helped her transition into civilian life.

“There are many out there who need Onward Ops. Once they hear about it and learn what it can offer them in their transition and reintegration, it’s refreshing. There’s never been anything like it,” Lanham said.

In partnership with Onward Ops, the Veteran Sponsorship Initiative (VSI) calls military members long BEFORE they leave the military and begins working with them to ensure they have medical care and to identify any other needs.

Wilson pointed out: “About 90 percent intend to give up their military career and pursue a new career, but cannot say which one.”

“Now, when we work with them and start connecting them with resources in the community where they’re going to live, … the veteran starts to develop the mindset of, ‘Someone in my community really cares about me,'” Fasano added.

According to a 2017 study, over 40,000 veterans were homeless on any one night. In contrast, a study by VSI shows that a veteran with a transition sponsor is 63% more likely to seek medical care and 50% less likely to attempt suicide – positive numbers in an effort to give retired veterans the tools they need to successfully reintegrate into civilian life.

As Tatum fought back tears, she said, “It was that community that Maurice and Pete offered me and reintegrated me into… that I believe… makes me successful today.”