Donald Jarvis is a disabled combat veteran who’s always believed that the best things happen when people come together with a shared purpose.

I served as a combat engineer in the Massachusetts Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. During that time, I learned a lot about teamwork, resilience, and what it really means to show up for the people around you. Those lessons have stuck with me long after my time in uniform.

After coming home, my focus shifted toward continuing to serve — just in a different way. Today, I serve as the Director of Veterans Services for the Town of Billerica, where I work with veterans and their families every day. A big part of that work is helping people navigate challenges, connect with resources, and feel like they’re not doing it alone.

Being a disabled veteran myself, I’ve seen and experienced some of those challenges firsthand. I’ve always felt a strong pull toward helping those who are struggling the most — especially veterans dealing with homelessness, PTSD, or TBI. It’s not just part of the job for me, it’s personal.

Over the years, I’ve spent time working with individuals in halfway programs, people dealing with addiction, and those going through tough situations. Some of that has been through organizations, and some of it has just been showing up and doing what I can where it’s needed.

At the same time, I’ve always enjoyed building things — not just physically, but ideas too. Whether it’s putting together a community event, coming up with something creative, or working on a hands-on project, I like taking something simple and turning it into something that brings people together.

This website is just a place to share some of that. The projects, the ideas, the experiences, and the moments that stick with you. It’s not about promoting anything — just documenting the things I’ve been fortunate to be a part of along the way.

At the end of the day, I believe something pretty simple:

The best things are rarely built alone.