Veterans for Community Empowerment

Veterans for Community Empowerment is a veteran-founded nonprofit based in Chicago, built on lived experience, service, and resilience. Founded by 100% disabled veteran Ron Steffens, and guided by community leadership.  VFCE empowers vulnerable communities through mentorship, leadership development, community organizing partnerships, and social‑emotional learning‑based programming that creates stability, belonging, and opportunity.

Our work is driven by compassion, accountability, and the belief that when veterans lead with purpose  communities rise. We build sustainable programs alongside residents, not for them, ensuring that leadership and ownership stay within the community.