SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio’s proposed budget would eliminate $150,000 in funding for a military spouse employment program as the city works to close a projected $158 million shortfall.
The proposal would end city funding for 16 regional fellowships offered through Hiring Our Heroes, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation program that helps service members, veterans and military spouses transition to civilian employment.
The 12-week fellowships pair military spouses with local companies at no cost to participating employers.
City Manager Erik Walsh said Wednesday that the city proposed eliminating the funding because the program had not generated enough activity this year.
“We didn’t get a lot of activity in that area this year,” Walsh said.
The program is one of three organizations that Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones identified in July as potential candidates for private funding as the city prepared for budget reductions. The proposal also includes a $200,000 reduction for the San Antonio Botanical Garden and eliminates funding for the scholarship portion of the San Antonio Education Partnership.
The city’s Military and Veterans Affairs office says San Antonio has contributed more than $500,000 to the military spouse fellowship program during its seven years. The program reports that 92% of fellows obtained permanent employment with an average annual salary of $61,000.
Hiring Our Heroes held a career summit in San Antonio last week for transitioning service members and military spouses.
Crystal Kearns, the program’s director of events and engagement, said employment opportunities for military spouses can support military retention.
“Employing a spouse is securing our nation because our service members want to remain in service if their spouses can gain meaningful employment,” Kearns said.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported a 21% unemployment rate among military spouses in 2024, compared with a national unemployment rate of about 4%.
San Antonio established its military spouse fellowship program with Hiring Our Heroes in 2019. The organization said it was the first program of its kind in Texas and the second in the country at the time.
The City Council will consider the proposed budget before voting on a final spending plan Sept. 17.
