Standing Together in Service: Celebrating our Impact
Last Updated: 04 Mar 2025

Team, 

 In recent days, there has been media attention surrounding our agreement with the federal government to provide operational readiness at Pecos, Texas, in the event there was a need to serve unaccompanied migrant children. Last week, the government ended the agreement due to a decline in the number of children needing care — an expected shift given current border conditions and a decision to reduce taxpayer spending. Given the current situation at the border, we understand this decision. 

I want to take a moment to share more about this so that if friends or family ask, you are confident explaining the facts. 

First and foremost, let me be clear: any claims of corruption or mismanagement are completely baseless. That is not who we are, and that is not how we operate. As a faith-based nonprofit founded more than 55 years ago, we have always been called to serve those in need, whether that be homeless veterans, disaster survivors, first responders, or children facing crisis. 

For over a decade, multiple administrations have asked Endeavors to provide direct care and support for migrant families and unaccompanied children in government-run facilities. We have always answered that call with integrity, operating under the laws, policies, and directives of our federal partners. In 2021, we were again asked to assist the government during a historic surge at the border, providing temporary shelter and care in Pecos, Texas. We were one of 15 organizations awarded contracts for this work, alongside both nonprofit and private sector providers. 

Since 2021, there were months when our team cared for thousands of children, while other months we stood ready, should the need arise. Our contract required 24/7 operational readiness—essentially serving as an insurance policy to ensure that vulnerable children could receive immediate care in a crisis. Throughout this effort, federal officials were onsite daily, providing direct oversight and ensuring full compliance with all contractual obligations. Our team provided medical and mental health care, education, recreation, food services, and facility maintenance—all required under our contract. 

Because border conditions are dynamic, the contract also required round-the-clock operational readiness, known as “cold status” — meaning the facility had to remain maintained and ready to activate at a moment’s notice. The costs associated with this readiness were primarily allocated to vendors for facility operations, IT, security, infrastructure, and a small core team of staff, ensuring that care could be provided immediately if needed. While our work in Pecos has ended, there is still one other organization that has the same operational readiness type of contract who remains in cold status, prepared to respond if necessary. 

We should all be proud of the work we did at Pecos. Because of your dedication, 40,000 children in crisis received shelter, compassionate care, and the support they needed. Your work was recognized by receiving the highest ratings under the federal Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) — a reflection of our commitment, integrity, and excellence. 

While this chapter is closing, our work is far from over. Our work is not defined by a single contract – it is defined by our mission. Our focus remains on serving vulnerable communities, including active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement, and first responders — along with their families — as well as caregivers, children, disaster survivors, and individuals facing homelessness. 

As we look forward, I can’t help but reflect on how incredibly blessed we’ve been as an organization. Our impact and service to those in need have grown because of your deep belief in and commitment to our organization and its mission. Over the past four years, thanks to your dedication, faith, and hard work, we have been blessed with the ability to expand our impact in life-changing ways: 

• Opened a Domestic Violence Prevention Center in Pecos, offering safety to survivors and their children. 

• Launched state-of-the-art Veteran Wellness Centers in San Antonio and El Paso to serve veterans, first responders, caregivers, and their families. 

• Rebuilt hundreds of homes in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, partnering with faith-based organizations nationwide. 

• Deployed teams to provide resources after Hurricanes Idalia and Ian, helping families recover and rebuild. 

• Converted our San Antonio Wellness Center into a temporary warming shelter, providing safety and support for individuals experiencing homelessness during extreme winter conditions. 

• Expanded our partnership in the Face the Fight initiative, working alongside veteran-serving partners toward the goal of reducing veteran suicide by 50% by 2030. 

• After the Robb Elementary School shooting tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, we expanded our support to that community by opening a wellness center and providing scholarships. 

• Increased scholarship opportunities for future social workers in Texas and North Carolina. 

• Expanded job services for individuals with disabilities through Endeavors Unlimited. 

• Expanded food assistance programs to support families facing hunger in vulnerable communities across Texas. 

• Continued to provide housing solutions for veterans, ensuring that those who have sacrificed so much have a place to call home. 

I know that some of you may not have known about all these initiatives—but that’s because we don’t do this work for recognition. We do it because our faith calls us to serve. We let our work speak for itself. 

Over my 35 years of service — as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, in government, and now at Endeavors — one truth remains: people are at the heart of everything we do. Here at Endeavors, I have the privilege of working alongside a team of people who show up every day to support veterans, house the homeless, respond to disasters, and provide hope to those in crisis. 

While the world may have its differences, we will always stand firm in our mission to serve, to love, and to care for all in need. 

I cannot thank you enough for what you do each and every day. Your commitment, compassion, and faith in our mission continue to change lives. As we move forward, we will remain steadfast in our work, walking together in service, guided by compassion, and strengthened by our faith in God. 

May God continue to bless each of you. 

With gratitude and faith, 

Chip Fulghum 

Endeavors Chief Executive Officer