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Veterans Rodeo & Resource Fair
The National Veterans Rodeo(NVR) has proudly partnered with our local nonprofit partner, Leave No Veteran Behind (LNVB), for this groundbreaking gathering that is more than entertainment. It’s a call to action. Alongside traditional rodeo events, attendees had direct access to 50+ Veteran Service Officers Navigators and 20+ veteran-focused organizations — ensuring no veteran falls through the cracks. The Veterans Rodeo honors the grit, resilience, and sacrifice of those who served, while building community connections and creating immediate impact. Join us as we celebrate tradition, empower veterans, and write history together.
The inaugural event, held on August 10, 2025, in Chicago, marked a historic milestone. More than just an electrifying cultural experience, the Veterans Rodeo was designed as a powerful outreach initiative, helping veterans enroll in VA benefits, access critical resources, and connect with the support networks they deserve.
Here are some of the successes of the event:
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Over 3000 attendees
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750 Veterans registered for the resource fair
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Over 1000 veterans in attendance
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90% veteran and diverse venders and contractors
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Over $1 million dollars in economic benefit to the community
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Over 20 Community Partners navigating veterans to their benefits
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State, County, and City proclamation making August 10th “Six Triple Eight” day in honor of the All Black Women's Postal Unit in WWII
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Over 1000 sponsored youth experienced their first rodeo
Get your tickets here: VeteransRodeo.org
Safety Services
Currently, Leave No Veteran Behind has multiple contracts providing safety related services in the Chicagoland area. Part of our training regimen includes 20 hours of unarmed security training to Veterans selected in our transitional employment program. This training allows Veterans to receive their Permanent Employment Registration Card (PERC). This card allows the Veteran to work in security related fields anywhere in the state of Illinois.
This training provides our Veteran clients the ability to find flexible employment while they search for long-term employment. Safety services is a natural fit for the skills
that Veterans learned in the military. The goal of this training, however, is to primarily provide an unemployed Veteran an opportunity for quick employment that will help stabilize their financial situation or to provided added income while they receive an education in their field of interest. If a Veteran is interested in safety/security as a
career, Leave No Veteran Behind has established relationships with firms that will provide training and long-term employment opportunities as well.
Here are some of the topics covered in our training:
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Terminology
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Basic Equipment
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Employer Standards
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Asset Protection
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Patrols and Fixed Posts
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Emergency Situations
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Fire Protection and Life Safety
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Blood Borne Pathogens
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Criminal Law and Criminal Liability
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Civil Law and Civil Liability
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Investigations
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Problem Solving
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Telephone Interactions
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Non-Verbal Communication
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Arrest and Detainment
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Ethics and Professional Conduct
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Public Relations Overview
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Providing Assistance
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Checking Perceptions
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Process Observations
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Face-to-Face Interactions
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Managing Difficult Interaction
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Non-aggressive Techniques
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Handling Hostile Individuals
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Communication Process
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Verbal Communication
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Describing Incidents Orally
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Describing Incidents in Writing
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Report Writing
Veterans Rodeo & Resource Fair
Leave No Veteran Behind has been selected to be the charity of choice for the National Veterans Rodeo & Resource Fair—a day where celebration meets impact. More than just an event, it’s a call to action. Our goal: to enroll over 1,000 veterans into the VA services they’ve earned and to honor the history, service, and sacrifice of veterans from our community. This groundbreaking event is dedicated to celebrating the resilience, strength, and service of our nation’s veterans. Taking place on Sunday, August 10th, in Chicago this historic event will serve as both a thrilling cultural experience and a vital outreach initiative aimed at getting veterans signed up for VA benefits and connecting them with critical resources.
As the first event of its kind, the Veterans Rodeo will bring together veterans, families, and supporters for an unforgettable day featuring traditional rodeo entertainment, community engagement, and veteran recognition. More than 20 veteran service organizations will be represented, ensuring that attendees have direct access to the benefits and support they have earned. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the State of Illinois, Cook County, and the City of Chicago, reinforcing our shared commitment to serving those who have served us. We invite sponsors and partners to join us in making history by supporting this landmark event. Your involvement will help create a meaningful experience that empowers veterans, strengthens community connections, and ensures every veteran has access to the resources they deserve.
Time: Resource Fair - 4:00PM to 6:00 PM
Rodeo - 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: ITAVLA Athletic Field 4930 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
Get your tickets here: VeteransRodeo.org