The Veterans Social Center is a service of the nonprofit, the High Road, Inc. We recognize many Veterans suffer from mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression, loneliness, and traumatic brain injury from their time in uniform. Our goal is to be a complement to traditional therapy by offering a safe, relaxing, healing, and therapeutic environment where Veterans can come to socialize with other Veterans. 

The idea for the facility was conceived by Mr. Hardin in December 2021. After discussing his idea with Rowan County Commissioner Craig Pierce, he was invited to present the idea to the full County Commission for approval and support. On 21 January 2022, he made a presentation at the Rowan County Commission meeting and received unanimous approval from all five Commissioners. On 01 February 2022, he began work on creating and developing the Veterans Social Center. With a small team of two other individuals and through the generosity of donors, he finished the work on 24 March 2022. 

On 18 April 2022, a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration was held in the food court of the West End Plaza. In attendance were Rowan County Commissioners Pierce and Mike Caskey, as well as N.C. State Senator Carl Ford. An estimated 100 people from the community came out to celebrate the grand opening. Since that time, we’ve positioned the Center as a recreational facility as well as a small Military History Museum. We have display cases of Military memorabilia dating back to the Spanish American War, Pearl Harbor, WWII, Vietnam and up through current conflicts like the Iraq War. We’ve had local Kindergarten – 5th grade students visit the facility to learn about the history of the various items. Military Veteran’s groups and organizations and local businesses have held their monthly meetings at the Veterans Social Center at no charge. There is no membership fee requirement or annual dues for Active-Duty members or Honorably Discharged Veterans to use the Veterans Social Center. Once inside the facility, there is no charge for food items or to use the recreation equipment.

While there, they can enjoy ping-pong and pool tables, Xbox video games, a flight simulator, chess and checker boards, several large flat screen TV's for viewing premium movies and both college and NFL sporting events. On the first Saturday of each month, we offer a full sit-down meal to all Veterans who are in the Center. If a Veteran is in crisis or need, we  provide information on relevant services and resources to aid in personal care and growth. We have assisted several Veterans, who have moved from homelessness to stable housing with household items (furniture, microwaves, pots/pans, dishes, silverware, bath items, bedding, etc.). If a Veteran needs clothing, we will provide it along with socks and personal hygiene items.

The Veterans Social Center’s social media Facebook page is followed by thousands across the U.S. and in 10 other Countries. We are open Tuesday through Friday from 12 pm noon - 5pm.