★
⭐ Texas 501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Est. December 2025 · Serving Collin, Denton, Grayson & Fannin Counties

Restoring Independence,
Dignity & Safety
for Veterans

Assistive Technology Initiative deploys practical, ethical smart-home technology to help veterans with disabilities live safer, more independent lives — on their own terms, in their own homes. Our goal is to keep veterans in their homes as long as possible.

Our Programs Support Our Mission
501(c)(3)
IRS Tax-Exempt · April 2026
10
Veterans · Phase One
$47K
2026 Program Budget
100%
Tax-Deductible Gifts
4
Counties Served · TX
Our Mission

Technology Should Serve the Veteran — Not Watch Them

ATI exists to restore independence, dignity, and safety for veterans through practical, ethical assistive technology. Our goal is to keep veterans in their homes as long as possible. We deploy technology responsibly, build trust with veterans, and scale impact only after demonstrated success. Currently serving veterans in Collin, Denton, Grayson, and Fannin Counties, Texas — including Bonham and the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center community.

  • The Problem: Many disabled veterans struggle with daily living inside their own homes — moving safely, managing medications, and maintaining independence. Without practical support, these challenges increase injury risk and reliance on caregivers.
  • Our Solution: We don't just install Alexa devices — we build emergency response systems for veterans' homes using voice-activated smart routines, emergency contacts, and assistive automation.
  • Our phased, ethical deployment model reduces risk and dramatically increases long-term adoption.
  • Grants build the mission. Earned revenue will sustain it. Veterans always come first.
"Veterans confidently using technology to live safer, more independent lives."
— ATI Mission Statement
Privacy
First, Always
Trust
Before Scale
Ethics
In Every Decision
Dignity
In Every Home
What We Do

Veteran Emergency Smart-Home Program

We don't just install Alexa devices — we build emergency response systems for veterans' homes using voice-activated smart routines, emergency contacts, and assistive automation. Our goal is to keep veterans in their homes as long as possible. Serving Collin, Denton, Grayson, and Fannin Counties, Texas — including Bonham and the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center community.

Phase One · Active 🚨

Voice-Activated Emergency System

Veterans say "Alexa, I need help" and the entire home responds: outdoor lights turn RED to signal neighbors and first responders, all indoor lights turn on, front door unlocks, emergency contacts are called, loud alarm sounds, and SMS alerts are sent to caregivers. Triple-layer response — audio, visual, and contact.

Daily Independence 💊

Daily Living & Medication Support

Custom medication reminders for PTSD meds, pain management, and TBI-related routines. Daily check-in prompts, hydration and meal reminders, appointment alerts, and voice journaling. Drop-In calling lets family and caregivers connect instantly — the Alexa Show 11 goes to a family member or trusted friend to maintain human connection.

Future Vision 🦾

Advanced Humanoid Robotics

ATI envisions future deployment of Optimus humanoid robots for veterans who have fully adopted earlier phases. This advanced phase follows the same ethical, consent-based model — technology advances on the veteran's timeline, not ours. Year 2 expands to 20 additional veterans.

Veteran home with red emergency lights activated
Emergency Response in Action

When a veteran says "Alexa, I need help" — outdoor lights turn red, alerting neighbors and first responders before anyone arrives. The home becomes a connected safety system.

🌙 Night Safety Mode
  • →Motion-activated low lighting
  • →Door alerts enabled
  • →Emergency phrase on standby
  • →Smart lock secured
🚨 Fall Response Mode
  • →Outdoor lights turn RED immediately
  • →All indoor lights full brightness
  • →Emergency contacts called + SMS
  • →Loud alarm sounds in home
  • →Front door unlocks for responders
Who We Serve

Veterans Who Need Us Most

✦Veterans with mobility limitations or fall risk
✦Veterans with chronic medical conditions
✦Veterans living alone or spending long periods alone
✦Veterans with TBI, memory issues, or depression fatigue
✦Veterans managing PTSD medications or pain routines
✦Veterans needing daily routine and cognitive assistance
Expected Outcomes

What Success Looks Like

80%
Goal: veterans report improved independence in daily living
Faster
Emergency response times through voice-activated systems
Reduced
Caregiver burden and missed medications
Phased Operations Model

We Build Trust First. Then We Scale.

Our phased model is intentional. Technology only works when veterans are comfortable using it. Every step is earned, never rushed. We add more veterans each phase and year.

01

Smart-Home Emergency Readiness

A 3-month, high-touch pilot serving 10 veterans. We build a complete emergency response system inside each veteran's home — not just smart devices, but a connected safety network.

  • 10 veterans · Collin, Denton, Grayson & Fannin Counties, TX
  • In-home assessment — 2 to 4 hours · personalized setup
  • Full installation · emergency routines · training session
  • Bi-weekly in-home support visits · 3 full months (6 visits)
  • Ask My Buddy setup · 3–5 emergency contacts configured
  • Medication reminders · daily check-ins · voice coaching
  • Voluntary participation · opt-out at any time
"Phase One is about readiness, not experimentation. We build trust first."
02

Robotic Home Support + Year 2 Expansion

Phase One graduates advance to robotic maintenance support. Year 2 adds 20 new veterans and continues the proven model with the same 3-month bi-weekly support structure.

  • Selected based on Phase One readiness
  • Robot vacuum or lawn mower — chosen by need
  • 20 additional veterans added in Year 2
  • Continued bi-weekly visits — 3 months per cohort
  • Growing veteran cohorts each phase and year
  • Fully consent-based — never mandatory
"We only scale when veterans are ready."
Program Equipment

Everyday Tools, Deployed with Respect

All devices are commercially available, widely supported, and selected for reliability, accessibility, and ease of use — familiar technology, ethically deployed.

📺

Alexa Show 21

Primary hub. Large-screen smart display for camera feeds, calendar, voice control, and video conferencing with family and caregivers.

$400 per veteran
🔊

Alexa Dot (×2)

Multi-room voice access points. Hands-free emergency commands and home control for veterans with mobility limitations.

$100 per veteran
👨‍👩‍👧

Alexa Show 11 — Family Device

Given to a designated family member or trusted friend. Enables simple video calls and voluntary check-ins — keeping human connection alive without surveillance.

$250 per veteran
💡

Smart Lighting & Plugs

Voice-controlled bulbs and smart plugs reduce physical strain and support daily safety routines and automated schedules.

$165 per veteran
📷

Eufy Security System

Security-only cameras. No ATI monitoring. No cameras in private areas. Veteran controls all access at all times.

$550 per veteran
🔐

Eufy Smart Door Lock

Keyless entry for veterans with dexterity challenges. Unlocks automatically during emergency response mode.

$300 per veteran
📶

Eero Mesh Wi-Fi

Whole-home reliable connectivity. Every install includes this — no veteran left without digital access.

$350 per veteran
🤖

Robotic Maintenance

One per veteran: robot vacuum or robot lawn mower, chosen by need. Reduces physical workload and injury risk.

$1,200 per veteran
🔴

Govee Smart Flood Lights

Outdoor BR30 RGBWW smart bulbs installed at home entrance. Turn RED automatically when emergency voice command is triggered — alerting neighbors and first responders instantly.

Included in equipment package
Powered By AWS

Cloud-Native Emergency Response Platform

ATI's platform is built entirely on Amazon Web Services — a cloud-native IoT architecture that connects every device in a veteran's home to real-time emergency response within seconds. When a veteran speaks the emergency phrase, AWS executes the full response sequence simultaneously across every device in the home.

⚡
AWS Lambda
Executes the full emergency response sequence within seconds
🔗
AWS IoT Core
Manages device state and real-time command routing across all homes
📱
Amazon SNS
Dispatches simultaneous SMS alerts to up to 5 emergency contacts
📊
AWS CloudWatch
Monitors system health across all veteran homes — technical checks only, never behavior

The entire architecture is serverless and scalable — Lambda and IoT Core scale to any number of veteran homes with zero infrastructure changes, enabling national replication without rebuilding the platform. ATI's AWS platform was designed and built in-house by Les Hendrix, drawing on 21 years of professional telecommunications experience.

Financial Transparency

2026 Program Budget

Full program budget with no hidden costs. Overseen by independent bookkeeping services and full board governance controls.

Table 1 — Cost Per Veteran
CategoryAmount
Smart-Home Equipment Package$3,315
Initial In-Home Assessment$150
Installation & System Configuration$300
Bi-Weekly Follow-Up Visits (×6)$510
Training & Ongoing Support$150
Total Cost Per Veteran$4,425
Table 2 — Total Direct Program Cost
CategoryDetailAmount
Phase One Direct Program Costs10 veterans × $4,425$44,250
Total Direct Program Cost$44,250
Table 3 — 2026 Operating Budget
CategoryDetailAmount
InsuranceGeneral liability & program coverage$1,500
External Financial BookkeepingIndependent oversight & compliance$1,500
Total 2026 Operating Budget$3,000
Combined 2026 Total Budget
$47,250

All funds tracked by independent bookkeeping with full board oversight. Grants fund veteran services only — not commercial activity. Program leadership contributes time on a volunteer basis in support of ATI's mission.

Leadership

Board of Directors

ATI's board brings complementary expertise in technology operations, community outreach, and organizational compliance — all committed to veteran-centered governance.

Les Shane Hendrix

Les Shane Hendrix

Director of Technology & Operations · Primary Signatory

Les leads ATI's technology strategy and day-to-day operations. He brings 21 years of hands-on telecommunications experience as a residential and business technician at Verizon Communications — working daily with fiber, routers, smart devices, mesh Wi-Fi, and direct customer installation and support. Les personally designed ATI's AWS-powered platform architecture, selected every device in the program, and leads all veteran home installations. As primary banking signatory and authorized signatory for grant agreements, he is responsible for program delivery, financial oversight, and organizational accountability. Les founded ATI with a commitment to ethical, phased technology deployment for veterans.

Joseph Rudd

Joseph Rudd

Director of Community Relations & Outreach · Grant Authority

Joseph oversees ATI's community relationships, stakeholder engagement, and grant development. Board-authorized to apply for grants and serve as secondary banking signatory, Joseph ensures funding relationships reflect ATI's mission-first values and supports sustainable program growth.

Amy Rudd

Amy Rudd

Secretary · Director of Records & Compliance

Amy serves as ATI's Secretary and Director of Records and Compliance. She maintains all official corporate records, governs document retention policy, and ensures organizational compliance. Amy holds full voting rights on non-financial governance matters and plays a vital role in ATI's operational integrity.

Sasha Martinez
Non-Voting Program Liaison

Sasha Martinez

Veteran Voice & Mission Advocate

Sasha is a U.S. Navy veteran who served with distinction alongside military working dogs. As ATI's Non-Voting Program Liaison, she serves as the veteran-facing representative and mission advocate in meetings with funders, partners, and community stakeholders — ensuring veteran perspectives remain central to all program decisions and bringing lived experience directly to ATI leadership.

Our Vision

Roadmap — Building Toward Full Independence

ATI follows a deliberate, phased roadmap — expanding technology capabilities and veteran reach only after demonstrated success at each stage. We will never rush a veteran into the next phase. Technology advances on the veteran's timeline — not ours.

Phase One · Active Now

Smart-Home Readiness

10 veterans across Collin, Denton, Grayson, and Fannin Counties receive a complete smart-home system with bi-weekly in-home support.

  • Voice assistants, smart lighting, security
  • Whole-home Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Bi-weekly in-home support visits
  • 3-month pilot program
Phase Two · Year 2

Robotic Home Maintenance + Expansion

Phase One graduates advance to robotic support. 20 new veterans added in Year 2, with continued growth each subsequent phase.

  • Robot vacuum or lawn mower per veteran
  • 20 additional veterans — Year 2
  • Growing cohorts each year
  • Consent-based advancement only
Phase Three · Future

Advanced Humanoid Robotics

For veterans who have fully adopted earlier phases, ATI envisions deploying Optimus humanoid robots to provide advanced in-home assistance — once the technology is commercially available.

  • Optimus robot deployment — timeline TBD
  • Only for veterans demonstrating full readiness
  • Same ethical, consent-based model
  • Most advanced level of independence support
Long-Term Vision

National Replication

ATI's proven model is designed to be replicated. After validating outcomes in North Texas, the program framework can be deployed by partner organizations nationwide.

  • Documented, replicable program model
  • Scalable beyond Texas
  • Designed for partner adoption
  • Scale only after demonstrated success

Sustainability — Earned Revenue Model

ATI's long-term sustainability vision envisions deploying Optimus humanoid robots for commercial cleaning and maintenance services during off-hours — generating earned revenue that will be fully reinvested into veteran programs. This initiative is planned for a future phase once Optimus technology is commercially available and ATI has demonstrated program success at scale. Grants fund the mission today. Earned revenue will sustain it tomorrow. No specific timeline for this initiative has been established.

Privacy & Ethics

Our Rules of Engagement

These are not aspirations — they are operational rules that govern every installation, every visit, and every interaction with the veterans we serve.

🔒

Veterans Control All Devices

Veterans control their devices. ATI does not retain ongoing remote access to devices in a veteran's home after installation. If a veteran requests ATI's assistance with troubleshooting or adjustments, temporary access may be granted by the veteran at their discretion.

✋

Fully Voluntary Participation

Participation is always voluntary. Veterans may adjust, pause, or exit the program at any time without penalty. ATI will work with each veteran to modify their setup as their needs and comfort level change.

🚫

No Surveillance. No Monitoring.

ATI does not surveil veterans. We do not monitor veteran conversations, daily routines, or personal behavior. Cameras are security-focused, veteran-controlled, and never placed in private areas such as bedrooms or bathrooms. ATI uses cloud system monitoring tools to ensure devices are functioning properly — this is limited to technical health checks, not personal observation.

📋

Informed Consent at Every Step

ATI explains what every device does before it is installed. Veterans are encouraged to ask questions at any time. No new technology is introduced into a veteran's home without their agreement — at installation or at any future phase.

📊

Minimal Data Policy

ATI keeps veteran information private. We collect only what is necessary to operate the program — emergency contact numbers, device configurations, and program outcome information. We report aggregated, non-identifiable outcomes to funders. We do not sell, share, or publish individual veteran data.

🤝

Technology Supplements — Never Replaces

ATI technology supports independence — it does not replace human relationships, caregivers, or VA services. We collaborate, not compete.

☁️

Third-Party Platform Transparency New

ATI's platform uses Amazon Web Services and Amazon Alexa. These platforms operate under Amazon's own privacy policies. ATI configures these tools to minimize data collection wherever possible, including disabling voice recording retention on Alexa devices during setup. Veterans are encouraged to review Amazon's privacy settings at any time through their Alexa app.

"Technology should serve the Veteran — not watch them."

Transparency & Accountability

Governance & Legal Standing

ATI is built on a foundation of strong governance, legal compliance, and financial transparency — the credentials grant funders require and veterans deserve.

IRS 501(c)(3) Status

Federally recognized tax-exempt public charity. Contributions are fully tax-deductible under IRC Section 170.

Effective: December 11, 2025

Texas Nonprofit Corporation

Incorporated in the State of Texas. Certificate of Formation filed with the Texas Secretary of State.

File No. 806340734 · Formed Dec 11, 2025

Public Charity Classification

Classified as a public charity under IRC Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). Required to file Form 990 annually.

Accounting Period: Jan 1 – Dec 31

Dual-Signature Financial Controls

All expenditures over $5,000 require dual board signatures. Routine expenditures governed by board-approved authority limits.

Independent Bookkeeping Oversight

Conflict of Interest Policy

Board-approved conflict-of-interest policy in effect. Financial recusal procedures formally documented and enforced.

Adopted January 12, 2026

Insurance Coverage

ATI maintains general liability and program-specific insurance for all activities, installations, and participant interactions.

Board-Authorized · Resolution 9
Employer Identification Number
EIN 41-3113209
Assistive Technology Initiative · Texas Nonprofit Corporation
IRS determination letter issued April 7, 2026 · Collin County, TX
Form 990 Compliance

ATI was incorporated in December 2025 and received IRS 501(c)(3) determination in April 2026. A Form 990-N (e-Postcard) will be filed by May 15, 2026 for the short tax period of December 11–31, 2025. As a newly formed organization in our first full fiscal year (January 1 – December 31, 2026), our inaugural Form 990 will be filed by May 15, 2027 for the 2026 tax year. All financial activity is tracked by independent bookkeeping with full board oversight.

Official Records

Organizational Documents

ATI maintains full transparency with all legal and organizational documents available for download. These documents confirm our legal standing, tax-exempt status, and organizational identity.

📄
IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter
Official IRS tax-exempt status confirmation · Issued April 7, 2026 · EIN 41-3113209
Download PDF
📄
IRS EIN Assignment Letter (CP 575 E)
Employer Identification Number assignment · Issued December 16, 2025 · EIN 41-3113209
Download PDF
📄
Texas Certificate of Filing
Texas Secretary of State · Domestic Nonprofit Corporation · Effective December 11, 2025 · File No. 806340734
Download PDF
Get In Touch

Partner With ATI

We welcome conversations with grant funders, community partners, veteran service organizations, and individuals who share our commitment to veteran independence.

Contact Information

📍
Address
2603 Appaloosa Lane
Celina, TX 75009
📞
Phone
469-261-2653
✉️
Email
leshendrix@atiforveterans.org
🗺️
Service Area
Collin, Denton, Grayson & Fannin Counties, Texas
🏛️
EIN
41-3113209
📄
Legal Status
Texas 501(c)(3) Public Charity
Contributions are fully tax-deductible

Send Us a Message

Support Our Mission

Sponsor a Veteran. Restore Independence.

Your contribution funds real smart-home technology for real veterans. Every dollar goes directly to our Phase One Pilot Program serving Collin, Denton, Grayson, and Fannin Counties, Texas — including Bonham and the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center community. A full veteran sponsorship of $4,425 covers one veteran's complete program.