Chris Casey

Veteran Chris Casey has made a profound difference in the lives of fellow Veterans through his dedicated volunteer work with the Veterans Association Food Bank (VAFB) and Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS). 

Since 2021, Chris has served full-time as the Volunteer Outreach Lead at VAFB, where he developed and implemented a comprehensive outreach strategy to identify and support Veterans in crisis. This is a unique position, not held by anyone else in the country. His work includes providing food hampers and gift cards, connecting Veterans and their families with essential resources, building partnerships with other Veteran-serving organizations, assisting with housing, and even visiting incarcerated Veterans to offer guidance and support. 

Chris’s commitment is unwavering—he is available day or night to meet the needs of those he serves. His efforts have included two successful suicide interventions, a testament to his compassion, vigilance and ability to act in critical moments. 

He also helps Veterans navigate the system by scheduling appointments with Veterans Affairs Canada and ensuring they receive the benefits they are entitled to. Chris works tirelessly to transition homeless Veterans from temporary accommodations into permanent housing, coordinating with community partners to provide wraparound support. 

His intake and case management work is extensive and hands-on. For example: 

• If a Veteran lacks identification, Chris helps them obtain it. 
• If a Veteran is incarcerated, he visits them to conduct an intake and develop a release plan with appropriate supports. 
• If emergency housing is needed, he arranges accommodations, follows up regularly to ensure safety and progress, and assists with long-term housing solutions, benefits, banking and income support. 
• If peer support is beneficial, he connects clients with the appropriate agencies. 

Many of the cases Chris handles are complex and require coordination across multiple agencies. He regularly collaborates with organizations such as the Edmonton Garrison Chaplains, the Transition Unit, VETS Canada, Homes for Heroes, local Royal Canadian Legion branches, and Edmonton shelters to ensure Veterans receive holistic care. Chris has stepped away from the Veterans Association but continues the same work independently. It is taking many people to fulfill his role. His dedication was truly remarkable but ultimately unsustainable. His dedication to Veterans was beyond what any organization would expect. 

In addition to his work with VAFB, Chris volunteers with OSISS as a Peer Support Facilitator, assisting with weekly group sessions and offering one-on-one support to peers. His role mirrors his work at VAFB—providing resources, emotional support and a sense of community to those navigating operational stress injuries. 

Chris Casey is a tremendous asset to the Veteran community. He leads with compassion, integrity and an unshakable commitment to service. His reliability and dedication have made a lasting impact on countless lives.