About Us
Learn more about Fireside Chat Support Network and our mission to support connection, presence, and community across Texas
A place where connection comes first
Fireside Chat Support Network exists to create safe, welcoming spaces for veterans, first responders, and their families — places where people can connect, listen, and not carry everything alone.We focus on support through presence, shared experience, and community. Our work is grounded in the belief that being heard — or simply being among people who understand — can make a meaningful difference.
Creating Space
To create a weekly gathering space for first responders, veterans, and their families to connect, share, and heal.
Strengthening Community
To foster a sense of community, belonging, and purpose among our members, and to reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and trauma.
Showing Up
To provide access to resources, services, and support to help our members navigate the challenges of service life.
Support
To raise funds to establish a comprehensive Healing Center, providing holistic care, counseling, and support to veterans and first responders.
How We Operate
Purpose-Driven Support
Everything we do centers on creating spaces for connection. Our gatherings and outreach efforts are designed to feel safe, respectful, and welcoming — without judgment or expectation.
Transparency & Trust
We believe trust matters. Fireside Chat Support Network operates with integrity and accountability, honoring the people who place their time, energy, and support in our care.
Community Partnerships
Strong communities are built together. We work alongside local partners, volunteers, and supporters to expand connection and care throughout Texas.
Board Members
Stacey Hogge — Co-Founder & Board Member
“Connection is what changes everything.”
Stacey Hogge is the co-founder of Fireside Chat Support Network and a community builder focused on creating spaces where connection and belonging thrive. She helped transform Fireside Chats into a mission-driven nonprofit following the loss of a community member to suicide.
Joe Hogge — Co-Founder & Board Member
“The uniform may come off, but the need for brotherhood never does.”
Joe Hogge is a veteran and co-founder who leads with authenticity and a deep understanding of post-service transition. After his military service, he spent over a decade as a home builder, bringing structure and long-term vision into building community.
Melody Burns — Board Member
“Healing happens when people reconnect—with purpose and with each other.”
Melody Burns is a microbiologist, educator, and liaison for Hives for Heroes, supporting veterans through beekeeping and community connection. She brings a science-based and compassionate approach to healing and education.
Dr. Max Wright — Board Member
“Service doesn’t end—it evolves.”
Dr. Max Wright is a Marine, commissioned officer, and emergency medicine physician. He brings leadership experience and frontline medical insight into trauma, resilience, and recovery.
Judge John Burns — Board Member
“Service to community is a lifelong commitment.”
Judge John Burns is a Navy veteran, attorney, and Justice of the Peace for Hays County Precinct 4. His work spans
Make a Difference Today
Together, we can continue creating places where connection matters.
Your support helps sustain spaces where people feel less alone and more connected. Every contribution supports gatherings, outreach, and the community-driven work at the heart of Fireside Chat Support Network.
Our Vision
Our ultimate goal is to raise funds to establish a comprehensive Healing Center, where veterans and first responders can receive holistic care, counseling, and support to address the physical, emotional, and psychological wounds of service. This center will provide a tranquil and nurturing environment, staffed by experienced professionals, to help our heroes heal, recover, and reintegrate into their communities.
Our Mission
Fireside Chats is a veteran-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive community for first responders, veterans, and their families to connect, share, and heal. We believe that the bonds forged through service and shared experiences can be a powerful antidote to the loneliness, isolation, and trauma that often accompany these careers. Through our weekly gatherings, we aim to create a space where individuals can find their tribe, build meaningful relationships, and access resources and support to navigate the challenges of service life.
What Guides Our Work
- Community: We believe that connection and community are essential to healing and growth.
- Empathy: We understand that the experiences of first responders and veterans are unique, and we strive to create a safe and non-judgmental space for sharing and listening.