Healing Without Barriers
Operation R.J.S.
Providing free, confidential telehealth counseling and support services for veterans.
Supporting Veterans Every Step of the Way
Operation R.J.S. is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in honor of Richard James Stamos, Vietnam combat veteran and VFW Post Commander; dedicated to providing care, connection, and hope to veterans through free telehealth counseling and support services. Our mission is to ensure that no veteran feels alone in their journey towards healing and recovery. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where veterans can find solace and understanding. Through our commitment to removing barriers to care, we aim to empower veterans to thrive beyond their military service.
🇺🇸 Our Mission 🇺🇸
Founded in honor of Richard James Stamos, Operation R.J.S. is a promise to our nation’s heroes: you are not forgotten. We walk beside every veteran, offering care, connection, and hope—helping them heal, rebuild, and find strength beyond the uniform.
A Promise of Hope and Healing for Our Heroes
Our Services
We offer a comprehensive range of tailored support programs designed to meet the unique needs of veterans. Our services are crafted to provide holistic care, fostering healing, resilience, and community connection. Each program is delivered with the utmost dedication to ensuring that veterans receive the support they deserve. Through our commitment to excellence and compassion, we aim to empower veterans on their journey towards well-being and a brighter future.
Individual Therapy
One-on-one virtual sessions with licensed Clinical Professionals.
Covers the same core topics as group therapy, including:
- Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
- Trauma recovery
- Emotional regulation
- Substance use recovery
- Reintegration into civilian life
Personalized to each veteran’s needs while providing a private, supportive space.
Group Therapy
One-hour virtual group sessions designed to foster connection and shared healing.
Topics include but not limited to:
- PTSD and trauma support
- Coping with emotional stressors
- Recovery and resilience in substance use
- Strengthening life after service
- Certified Veteran Peer Support
Builds community and ensures veterans know they are not alone.
Marriage & Family Counseling
Virtual sessions to strengthen family bonds and relationships impacted by military service. Helps improve communication, rebuild trust, and foster resilience within families.
Veteran Peer Support
Led by veterans who understand the journey firsthand. A safe and judgment-free space to share experiences, gain encouragement, and build lasting connections.
Emergency Food Assistance
We believe no veteran or their family should go hungry. Operation R.J.S. provides holiday meal boxes, emergency food support, and access to year-round food resources to ensure stability and dignity. Veterans facing hardship will always have access to nutritious meals and a helping hand from Operation R.J.S.
Emergency Home Repair Support
Safe and stable housing is the foundation of recovery and well-being. We offer essential home repairs, safety modifications, and accessibility improvements to help veterans maintain independence and security in their homes. From fixing critical issues like roofing and plumbing to installing ramps or grab bars, we make sure veterans live in environments that support their health and stability.
Community & Connection
Healing happens when veterans know they are not alone. Our program fosters peer-to-peer networks, community events, and ongoing outreach that create a strong sense of belonging. Whether through support groups, veteran gatherings, or volunteer opportunities, we ensure every veteran is seen, valued, and connected to a community that understands their journey.
Who We Are
Tanya Stamos, BSHA, MBA
United States Navy Combat Veteran
Founder & President
Tanya Stamos is a United States Navy combat veteran and the Founder and President of Operation RJS. Her dedication to serving veterans comes from a place that is both personal and deeply rooted in her own military service.
Operation R.J.S. was founded in honor of Tanya’s father, Richard James Stamos, a Vietnam combat veteran and VFW Post Commander. His life, his service, and the veteran community he cared so deeply about became part of the foundation on which R.J.S. was built.
Tanya holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and an MBA and has spent her professional career in healthcare leadership, with extensive experience in quality, compliance, risk management, and process improvement. That background has given her a unique perspective on the gaps that can exist between having resources available and actually being able to access them.
Tanya leads Operation R.J.S. with a clear focus: ensuring veterans are heard, their needs are taken seriously, and support is provided without barriers. Her approach is grounded in accountability, compassion, and a commitment to doing what is best for the veterans R.J.S. serves.
Marnie Kivela
United States Airforce Combat Veteran
Vice President
Marnie Kivela is a United States Air Force combat veteran and Vice President of Operation R.J.S.. Her military service instilled strong leadership, discipline, resilience, and a commitment to serving others- skills that continue to guide her both personally and professionally. Her experiences on active duty and as a veteran have fueled her passion for advocating for veterans and their families.
As Vice President of Operation R.J.S., and a certified veteran peer to peer specialist, Marnie works alongside a team of veterans, mental health professionals, peer support specialists, and volunteers committed to meeting veterans where they are and providing help when it is needed most.
Outside of Operation R.J.S., Marnie has owned and operated a skincare business for over 15 years and is currently continuing her education in social work. As a mother, veteran, business owner, and advocate, she brings both professional experience and lived experience to her leadership role.
Marnie believes that helping veterans is about more than providing resources—it is about building trust, creating connection, and showing up. That belief reflects the heart of Operation R.J.S. and its commitment to making sure veterans and their families know they do not have to face life’s challenges alone.
AMANDA FLORES
United States Marine Corps Veteran
Treasurer
Amanda Flores is a United States Marine Corps veteran and MBA candidate at Texas Christian University who brings a strong background in leadership, financial strategy, and service to her role as Treasurer of Operation RJS.
Her military experience helped shape a leadership style grounded in accountability, discipline, and responsibility—qualities she continues to carry into both her professional work and her service to the veteran community. Through her MBA studies, Amanda continues to build on that foundation with a focus on business, financial management, and strategic decision-making.
As Treasurer, Amanda provides financial oversight and helps ensure Operation R.J.S. remains responsible and intentional with the resources entrusted to the organization. Her role supports the financial strength and sustainability needed for RJS to continue serving veterans and expanding its reach.
Amanda’s commitment to service extends beyond Operation R.J.S.. She is also passionate about addressing food insecurity and giving back within her community, reflecting a belief that service does not end when the uniform comes off.
Her dedication to service, strong sense of responsibility, and commitment to the veteran community are at the heart of the work she does with
Operation R.J.S.
Heather Herlong
United States Army Veteran
Consultant
Heather Herlong is a United States Army veteran, 2 Blue Star Mother, and Strategic Event Planning Advisor with a strong connection to the military and veteran community.
With more than 300 events and audiences ranging from 100 to over 12,000, Heather brings extensive experience in strategic planning, event development, coordination, and creating experiences built around a clear purpose. She has worked alongside mission-driven leaders to take ideas from concept to execution while keeping the people, goals, and purpose at the center of the work.
As a Consultant with Operation R.J.S., Heather provides strategic insight and support as we continue to expand our events, partnerships, and presence within the veteran community. She brings the ability to look at the bigger picture while also understanding the details it takes to bring an idea to life.
For Heather, this work also carries a personal connection. As a Veteran and 2 Blue Star Mother, she understands the military community and the importance of bringing people together in ways that are intentional and meaningful.
As Heather says,
“It’s not about the party. It’s about the purpose behind it.”
Strength in Unity: Veterans Supporting Veterans
What Sets Us Apart
Operation R.J.S. is a lifeline for veterans—veteran-founded, veteran-led, and built in honor of those who served. What sets us apart is simple yet powerful: every program we offer is completely free, requires no insurance, and veterans do not need a VA disability rating or a diagnosis to receive help. We remove the barriers that too often stand in the way of care, providing not just counseling, but trust, dignity, and belonging. From free telehealth therapy and peer-led groups to food assistance, home repair, and community connection, we take a holistic approach that meets veterans where they are and walks beside them every step of the way. At Operation R.J.S., we don’t just help veterans survive—we empower them to heal, rebuild, and thrive with strength beyond the uniform.
Every program we offer is completely free, requires no insurance, and does not require a VA disability rating. Veterans do not need to navigate government systems, wait for approvals, or meet eligibility restrictions—they can simply reach out and receive support. This eliminates red tape and stigma, ensuring every veteran has access to the care they deserve. Our model allows them to seek counseling without a diagnosis, and our peer-led groups ensure they are surrounded by others who truly understand their struggles.
Richard James Stamos, 1948-2023
What makes us truly unique is that Operation R.J.S. is veteran-founded and veteran-led. Built in honor of a Vietnam combat veteran and VFW post commander and guided by the lived experience of those who have served, our programs are not just services—they are acts of solidarity. Veterans can trust that the support they receive comes from people who share their values, their struggles, and their resilience By addressing both emotional health and basic needs, we provide stability on every level—mental, physical, and practical. Rooted in Texas but serving nationwide, we ensure no veteran stands alone. At Operation R.J.S., we don’t just help veterans survive—we empower them to rebuild, thrive, and find strength beyond the uniform.
Healing Community
Foster connections and peer-to-peer support.
Comprehensive Support
From individual therapy to food assistance and home repairs.
Legacy of Service
Founded in honor of Richard James Stamos, a Vietnam combat veteran.
Let’s Connect
Reach out to Operation R.J.S. today to access our services and start your journey towards healing and support.
Phone: (832) 220-7865
Email: admin@operationrjs.org