NOTE: Throughout the month of July, BrownwoodNews.com is publishing stories daily on 40 standout citizens under the age of 40 making a positive impact and contribution within the Brown County community.
A Brookesmith native who served in the United States Army from 2006-11, Sean Lewis maintains a connection with the military and those who wore the uniform and defended our country.
Through the Center for Life Resources, Lewis, 36, for the past five years has assisted veterans in a variety of ways with challenges they may encounter in their post-service lives.
“We’re basically a referral source for veterans if they don’t know where to go to get any of their resources,” said Lewis, who worked as a Military Police Officer with two tours overseas during his time in the U.S. Army. “We basically make sure they get where they need to go and we don’t just give them a phone number and say good luck. We walk them through the process to make sure they’re seeing the right people. We also do free therapy, not just for the veteran but for the veteran’s family members also.”
Regarding the passion he holds for his current job, Lewis said, “I don’t think it could get any better really. I spend all day helping out people go through things that I’ve been through. Sometimes we have people go through something that I haven’t been through, but I’m able to link them with someone else that can help, so you help each other out. It’s just a huge network of veterans helping each other out.”
As much as he loves his work, Lewis would prefer the position not even exist.
“Theoretically if I can work myself out of a job, that’s really the goal,” Lewis said. “Stopping veteran suicide and other issues, not just here in Brownwood but statewide, if I could do that I wouldn’t even have to work. So my goal is to work myself out of a job.”
Before taking the job with the Center for Life Resources, Lewis coached at a few high schools, including the former Victory Life Academy, now known as Brown County Christian School.
“I coached at Victory Life here, I coached in Longview prior to that, and I went to Loop in far west Texas. After that, I did some semi-pro football coaching in Plano,” Lewis said. “I loved it. I was extremely busy, especially being at a 1A school with football, basketball, counselor, therapist, physician, a little of everything. I loved it though. Being able to work with young guys and maybe make them better husbands, fathers, brothers later on in life, I loved it.”
As fate would have it, Lewis returned to his roots after discovering a job posting on the internet.
“I was bored one day and just looking on Indeed and there was a job posting for helping with veterans,” Lewis said. “I thought most of my life it would be great to be able to come back and work with veterans, especially combat veterans who have kind of been through the same things I have been through. Believe it or not it was sitting there on Indeed, it was in Brownwood, too, and here I was in west Texas, and I wanted to see water again some day. I applied for it and I don’t know why they picked me, but they picked me. I’ve been loving it ever since. I just had a calling to Brownwood.”
Along with his work at the Center for Life Resources, Lewis serves as Senior Vice Commander for VFW Post 3278 and assists with all the fish fries, helps out with Sweeten Home for Children, which is a foster home through Child Protective Services, and is the founder of Operation At Ease
“Operation At Ease is a non-profit we started back in February and it provides financial relief for veterans and first responders,” Lewis said.
Lewis is the son of Don and Betty Lewis, is married to his wife Alicia, has a son named Tyler, and a brother named Ty.“I have a huge support system,” Lewis said. “They’ve all helped any time I’ve needed help.”