Operation 22 Receives $5,000 Grant from Homes for Heroes Foundation

The Homes for Heroes Foundation awarded Operation 22 with a $5,000 grant to help the organization with their mission to combat Veteran suicide and provide support to those who served our country in the Armed Forces. Homes for Heroes, Inc. and the Homes for Heroes Foundation are honored to support Operation 22 in their dedicated mission to end Veteran suicide.

The Mission of Operation 22

Why was Operation 22 Established?

Operation 22 is a nonprofit, founded by Stephen Swarner, Navy Veteran, and Executive Director of Operation 22. The organization was created in 2022 and is dedicated to the mission of helping Veterans with mental health challenges, suicide awareness and prevention.

Steven and the Operation 22 team believe every Veteran deserves access to the resources and support necessary to lead a fulfilling and healthy life.

“I got out of the Navy in 2010. When I came back home, I was battling with my own mental health. It was probably from some childhood issues, but the military PTSD really did not help. So, when I came back home, I put a gun in my mouth, and I pulled the trigger. It did not go off,” said Stephen Swarner, Founder and Executive Director of Operation 22.

To bring the urgent issue of Veteran suicide into focus:

• The Veteran suicide rate is 150% higher than the civilian suicide rate.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of Veteran deaths, just behind accidental deaths.
• Statistically, approximately one Veteran commits suicide every hour.

Stephen had this to add about his personal experience and the reason behind creating Operation 22:

“I tried everything in the world. Nothing was working. Until one day I found a Bible study group made up of Veterans who were just hanging out as Veterans.

I started to rebuild myself by attending. I gained purpose. I realized not every person can walk into a room, talk to a therapist, and be healed of their traumatic experiences. I found a better way to do it.”

In 2022, Stephan created Operation 22 to help Veterans work through their struggles.

What Does Operation 22 Do to Help Heroes?

The goal is to bring Veterans together to rebuild the camaraderie lost after leaving the military. Steven and the organization lead activities that encourage Veterans to work together and hold each other accountable, to be better men and women, better fathers and mothers, and better spouses.

“Now I build relationships with Veterans. I take them out golfing, hiking, fishing, or hunting. I spend time with them. And, from there, we try to build each other up,” said Stephan.

As part of their mission, Operation 22 is fighting the stigma of suicide and bringing awareness to the cause with the goal of stopping Veteran suicide.

A fellow Navy Seal Veteran, Chase Porter , Operation 22 member had this to say about his first meeting with Stephan:

“I met Stephan at a conference in Michigan. We discovered we’re both from Florida and in the real estate industry so stayed in touch. We hung out, did some activities together, and that really helped me through some stuff.

I was medically retired from the Navy back in 2023 and the primary reason was PTSD. One thing that stuck with me about my first meeting with Stephan was he gave me a wristband he was wearing.

Now, I keep them in my car and give them to Veterans who may, or may not necessarily need one, and let them know to hold onto it. And I tell them if they need anything, there’s someone you can call.”

Susan Castillo is an Operation 22 Ambassador, who served in the U.S. Army, and her primary role with the organization is sexual assault advocacy.

According to Susan, there were almost 8,200 reported cases of sexual assault in the U.S. Armed Forces in 2024 alone.

Susan herself was sexually assaulted during her time in the Army.

“Everybody’s mental health is a little bit different. So whether it’s dealing with the sexual assault or going to combat, or anything traumatic at all, everybody’s mind is going to react differently,” said Susan.

Susan went on to explain how she met Stephan, how that grew into her current role with Operation 22, and her approach with Veterans who have experienced sexual assault trauma:

“My goal is to start the conversation just like Stephan does.

The first time I met Stephan we had a 2-3 hour conversation. And ever since then, anything that he needs for Operation 22, I’m there for him, and everybody else it serves.”

How will this Grant be Used to Support Heroes?

The $5,000 Homes for Heroes Foundation grant will be used to help Veterans work through their struggles. Whether that’s active listening or playing a round of golf with them, the funds will be used to help a struggling Veteran.

“We spend 100% of the money on the Veterans, so we can spend time with them. You’re seeing it right here, with three Veterans that just opened up to you and we’re able to be vulnerable about their struggles.

The first break when you’re dealing with mental health, is you help a person be vulnerable. That offers huge relief. These events help do that, and these dollars will definitely go toward supporting a lot of events,” said Stephan.

Watch the grant presentation video:

How you can Support Operation 22’s Mission

You can help support Operation 22’s mission by visiting their website and getting involved. To further support their efforts, please consider making a donation to help them continue their mission of building awareness about Veteran mental health and putting an end to Veteran suicide.

Additional Veteran Services and Giving Back

Stephan is also a Homes for Heroes mortgage specialist. Not only does he help Veterans through Operation 22, but he also helps Veterans get a new home mortgage or to refinance an existing mortgage, and save some money in the process.

In addition to offering these mortgage services to Veterans, through the Homes for Heroes affiliation, he also helps firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, active duty and reserve military members, healthcare professionals and teachers.

Both Chase and Susan are real estate agents who have worked with Stephan on several real estate transactions, and through that industry connection, they all became friends and partners in Operation 22’s mission.

Foundation grants – Part of Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving

Grants from the Homes for Heroes Foundation are made possible by the Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving and its network of real estate and mortgage professionals. Homes for Heroes, Inc. is committed to providing savings to community heroes; including firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, military (active duty, reserves and veterans), healthcare professionals and teachers.

To expand its Circle of Giving, Homes for Heroes, Inc., donates a portion of its earnings to the Homes for Heroes Foundation. So, every time a hero buys or sells a home using the Homes for Heroes program, they are helping other heroes across the country who are facing a housing crisis or are in need of urgent financial assistance.

If you are interested in learning more about how Homes for Heroes can guide you through the home buying, selling or refinancing process AND save you an average of $3,000 after closing on a home, simply sign up to be connected with our local specialists. They will follow up with you to answer all of your questions.

If you’re interested in learning about our wider impact, simply visit the Homes for Heroes Foundation for more information about recent grants to hero organizations, how much it has awarded, and how it all works.

If you’re interested in supporting and donating to the Homes for Heroes Foundation to assist heroes in need, please visit the donation page to submit your contribution via PayPal. We thank you for your interest and support.