WHO WE ARE

Battleground Peer Support, Inc. is a North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free, trauma-informed peer support services to veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, law enforcement, and community members facing mental health challenges, addiction, trauma, and reintegration.

What makes us different: All services are led by North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialists with lived experience. We bridge the gap between clinical care and real-world support—meeting people where they are with authenticity, compassion, and hope.

OUR SERVICES

All services are FREE, VOLUNTARY, and CONFIDENTIAL

🤝 Weekly Peer Support Groups

In-person and virtual options available
Trauma-informed, non-clinical support
Safe space to share experiences and build connection
Topics: PTSD, addiction recovery, military transition, coping skills, resilience

👥 One-on-One Peer Mentoring

Personalized support tailored to individual needs
Flexible scheduling (in-person, phone, or video)
Guidance through recovery, transition, and life challenges
Average 1-hour sessions, frequency based on participant preference

📞 24/7 Crisis Phone Support

Direct line: 472-259-8304
Immediate support during moments of crisis
Suicide prevention planning and safety planning
Connection to emergency resources when needed

🌱 Recovery & Wellness Workshops

Evidence-based topics: relapse prevention, stress management, coping skills
Interactive and participant-centered
Builds practical tools for long-term wellness
Offered in-person and virtually

🔗 Community Engagement & Resource Connection

Referrals to clinical care, housing, employment, legal services
Advocacy and navigation support
Building community connections to reduce isolation

WHO WE SERVE

Eligibility: Open to all individuals facing mental health challenges, addiction, trauma, or life transitions. No diagnosis, income requirement, or insurance needed.

Primary populations:

✅ Veterans (all eras and branches)
✅ Active-duty service members and their families
✅ First responders and law enforcement
✅ Community members facing mental health challenges, addiction, or trauma

Common challenges we support:

PTSD, depression, anxiety
Substance use disorder and recovery
Military transition and reintegration
Isolation, loneliness, and disconnection
Suicidal ideation and crisis
Grief, loss, and trauma

SERVICE AREA

Primary: Moore, Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett Counties, and the surrounding North Carolina Counties

Virtual services are available statewide and beyond

TREATMENT ACCESS & FINANCIAL ADVOCACY

When insurance says no, we say YES.

We help veterans and first responders access life-saving treatment—even when the VA, TRICARE, or private insurance denies coverage.

How we help:

💙 Navigate appeals and fight denials with you
💙 Connect you to nonprofit pricing at partner treatment facilities
💙 Advocate for coverage you've earned and deserve
💙 Find alternative funding through grants, scholarships, and community resources

No one should be denied care because of paperwork or policy. We'll help you find a way.

🏥 CALLING ALL TREATMENT CENTERS & FACILITIES:

Do you offer nonprofit pricing or scholarships for veterans and first responders?

Partner with us to remove financial barriers to healing. If your facility provides special pricing, sliding scale fees, or nonprofit rates, we want to connect our community to your services.

Let's work together to save lives.
📧 Contact us: epie2269@battlegroundsupport.com

HOW TO REFER

Referrals are simple, fast, and HIPAA-compliant:

Option 1: Digital Referral (Recommended)

Participant completes Consent to Release Form (2 minutes)
Staff completes Referral Form (3-5 minutes)
Efren receives instant notification and contacts participant within 24-48 hours

Request digital referral links: epie2269@battlegroundsupport.com

Option 2: Phone/Email Referral

Call or text: 472-259-8304
Email: epie2269@battlegroundsupport.com
Provide participant name, phone number, and brief reason for referral

Option 3: Self-Referral

Participants can contact us directly—no referral needed
Call, text, email, or visit our website

Response time: All referrals are contacted within 24-48 hours

CONFIDENTIALITY & COMPLIANCE

✅ HIPAA-compliant: Google Workspace with signed Business Associate Agreement
✅ Confidential: All services are private and voluntary
✅ Non-clinical: Peer support complements, but does not replace, clinical care
✅ Mandatory reporting: We report imminent harm, child/elder abuse per NC law
✅ Data security: Encrypted storage, restricted access, 7+ year retention

ABOUT OUR FOUNDER

Efren Garcia is a retired Army veteran with 23+ years of service and lived experience with trauma, military transition, addiction recovery, and reintegration. He is a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist, trained in suicide prevention planning, and currently pursuing his Bachelor's in Psychology (graduating summer 2026) and Master of Social Work (beginning fall 2026).

Efren founded Battleground Peer Support because he knows firsthand how isolating and overwhelming these challenges can be—and he knows that healing is possible when we connect, support one another, and remind each other: You are not alone.

COST

ALL SERVICES ARE 100% FREE

No insurance required
No income requirements
No fees, co-pays, or hidden costs
Funded by grants, donations, and community support

CONTACT INFORMATION

Efren Garcia
Founder & North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist
Battleground Peer Support, Inc.

📞 Phone/Text (24/7): 472-259-8304
📧 Email: epie2269@battlegroundsupport.com
📠 Fax: 472-259-8304
🌐 Website: www.battlegroundpeer.support

Mailing Address:
Battleground Peer Support, Inc.
Aberdeen, NC 28315

Nonprofit Status: 501(c)(3) | EIN: 39-4277389
SAM.gov Registration: UEI F5W7DHBWSW21 | CAGE Code 161A0

SUCCESS METRICS

Current outcomes (AMHIOP pilot):

✅ 100% retention at 30/60/90 days
✅ 24-48 hour response time for all referrals
✅ 85%+ crisis calls de-escalated without hospitalization
✅ Participant satisfaction: 4.5+/5.0

HOW YOU CAN HELP

🤝 Refer individuals who could benefit from peer support
📢 Share our information with your network and community
💙 Donate to support free services: https://givebutter.com/SupportPeerSupport
🙋 Volunteer your time, skills, or expertise
📧 Partner with us to expand services and reach more people

💙 YOU ARE NOT ALONE • HEALING IS POSSIBLE • HOPE IS STRONGER THAN FEAR

Battleground Peer Support, Inc. | Serving veterans, active duty, first responders, and families across North Carolina

394277389

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Support Veterans, First Responders, and LEO's Receive The Treatment They Deserve