Community Action for Veterans

Community Action for Veterans (CAV) is Neighbors Serving Neighbors. Veterans Serving Veterans. South Dakotans Standing Together.

In South Dakota, we don’t leave people behind. From ranchlands to farmlands, our strength has always been in our community. CAV builds on that spirit by creating a statewide backbone of care that supports veterans and their families—wherever they live, and whatever their needs may be.

We are committed to ensuring every veteran has access to connection, compassion, and community-driven support.

Operation Chow Line

We bring communities together around the table. Through meals, food pantries, and local gatherings across six rural South Dakota cities, neighbors support neighbors and ensure no veteran faces hunger alone.

Compass Corps

Our AmeriCorps-supported interns serve in colleges, clinics, and community hubs across the state. They help veterans navigate the transition from military service to campus life, career pathways, and civilian well‑being.

VetConnect SD

This is our statewide referral and navigation backbone—uniting hospitals, providers, and community organizations so veterans never hit a “dead end.” With VetConnect SD, every door becomes the right door.

Special Initiatives

From women veterans’ retreats to peer‑to‑peer mentorship and statewide professional conferences, our special initiatives blend direct support with practical training. We strengthen both individuals and the systems that serve them.