One Tribe Foundation, a nonprofit headquartered in Euless, Texas, is intensifying its effort to combat veteran suicide and to support the mental health of first responders and frontline medical workers throughout the Fort Worth‑Dallas metroplex. The organization, originally launched in 2013 as 22Kill by a group of U.S. Marine veterans, has grown into a nine‑program network that includes addiction recovery, outdoor and motorcycle activities, and specialized services for veterans’ children.
Humanity‑first mission rooted in faith
“What the world forgets is that we all have the same God‑given title before all the other societal titles, which is human,” said Jacob Schick, CEO of One Tribe Foundation. Schick added that the group’s purpose is to remind those who feel isolated that they are worthy of love and that God will care for them.
His wife, Ashley Schick, the foundation’s marketing director, described the pain of veterans feeling like “aliens in their own home and in their own community,” calling the situation “shocking and heartbreaking.” The foundation’s messaging stresses that no one should suffer alone, a principle echoed by senior director Don Nguyen, a co‑founder who has lost 35 friends to suicide.
Programs and community outreach
One Tribe hosts regular support groups and social events for veterans, first responders and medical frontline workers. Its outdoor and motorcycle programs provide therapeutic recreation, while its addiction‑recovery services address substance‑use challenges that often accompany trauma. The organization also runs initiatives for the children of veterans, recognizing the ripple effect of military service on families.
Since its viral #22PushUpChallenge in 2016 raised more than half a million dollars, the foundation has continued to fund its expanding suite of services. The name change in 2020 to One Tribe reflected a broader mission while retaining the original focus on suicide prevention.
Local impact and personal stories
Don Nguyen shared how the foundation helped him cope after the April loss of his brother, Marine veteran Andrew Nguyen, a co‑founder of the original 22Kill. “As much as we do this for other people, this place also keeps me alive. These people are my family,” Nguyen said.
Jacob Schick noted that each new loss reinforces the organization’s resolve: “The only thing that’s worse than suffering is suffering alone. We’re just going to focus on continuing to do the right things for the right reasons, knowing God will take care of the rest.”
Veteran suicide trends
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the daily veteran suicide rate has fallen from 22 in 2012 to 17 today. While the decline is encouraging, the numbers remain sobering, underscoring the need for continued community‑based support.
One Tribe Foundation invites anyone feeling isolated or in crisis to reach out through its website, where detailed information about each program is available.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
