Our Story

Born from compassion, driven by purpose, and sustained by the belief that every veteran deserves a second chance at the American Dream

Building Stronger Veterans didn’t begin in a boardroom or with a strategic blueprint. It began in the middle of real life...during hard times, tough decisions, and a father doing everything he could to keep his family afloat.

After leaving his job as a correctional officer due to medical issues and the need to be home for his children, Founder Adam Arriero faced an uncertain future. There was no safety net, no clear direction. Only a responsibility to provide and an unwavering determination not to quit.

Two years later, life shifted again. A difficult divorce forced Adam to rebuild from the ground up, emotionally, financially, and practically. It meant confronting his health challenges head-on while finding a way to support his family with greater control over his time, work, and ability to be present for his kids. It was a season that tested him deeply, but it also strengthened his resolve to create something better.

So he did what he knew how to do: work hard, build, and serve.

Adam began taking construction jobs simply to survive. But as he worked on homes across the Treasure Valley, he met fellow veterans who were struggling in ways he understood all too well. Veterans searching for stability, purpose, and someone who believed in them.

That’s when a simple, powerful idea took shape:

“What if rebuilding homes could help rebuild lives?”

That idea led to the creation of Veteran Home Builders, a mission-driven construction company built to:

provide quality work
hire and train veterans
donate 10% of every job to support veterans in need

But Adam soon realized that supporting veterans required more than short-term assistance. They needed stability, community, and a pathway to rebuild their lives from the foundation up.

And from that vision, Building Stronger Veterans was born. An organization dedicated to ensuring that no veteran has to face their battles alone.

The Heart of Our Mission

At BSV, we believe serving veterans isn’t a duty - it’s an honor. Every veteran who comes through our doors comes with a story. Some are battling PTSD. Some are trying to get off the streets. Some are looking for direction. All of them are looking for hope.

We don’t see veterans for where they are, we see who they can become.

We offer housing, employment, support, training, and a community that actually shows up. Not in a “charity” kind of way, but in a “we’re in this together” kind of way.

With every job completed, with every tiny home built, with every event hosted, with every act of service…
a life is being rebuilt.

This isn’t just construction.
This isn’t just outreach.
It’s Building Stronger Veterans — literally and figuratively.

LIVES TRANSFORMED

15 +

STATISTIC COMING SOON!

SUCCESS RATE

SUPPORT AVAILABLE

24/7

We don't just provide services-we rebuild lives, restore dignity, and reignite the spark of purpose that military service instilled in each of our heroes. From the Army sergeant struggling with PTSD to the Navy veteran facing homeless, from the Air Force mechanic seeking new skills to the Marine looking for meaningful work-we see them all not as they are, but as who they can become.

Meet The Team

Adam Arriero

Founder & CEO

Adam Arriero is a veteran, a father, and someone who knows firsthand what it means to hit rock bottom and rebuild one step at a time. Building Stronger Veterans wasn’t born from a business plan. It arose out of one of the most challenging seasons of his life.

In 2017, medical issues forced Adam to leave his job as a correctional officer. At the same time, he and his wife realized their children needed someone at home more consistently. Life changed overnight, and Adam was suddenly faced with uncertainty about his health, his role, and his future.

Two years later, he went through a difficult divorce that pushed him to confront not only his own struggles, but also the reality that he needed a way to support his family while having the flexibility to be present for his kids. It was a moment when everything felt like it was falling apart, and yet it became the catalyst for rebuilding his life with purpose.

Adam picked up his tools and began taking construction jobs. The work was humble, but honest. And through it, something unexpected happened: he began connecting with other veterans who were fighting their own battles. Men and women searching for stability, purpose, and someone who genuinely believed in them. Their stories mirrored his own.

That’s when an idea took root:
Rebuilding homes and rebuilding lives could go hand in hand.

What started as Merica Construction eventually evolved into Veteran Home Builders. A mission-first company committed to hiring veterans and giving back to the cause. That mission continued to grow until Adam officially founded Building Stronger Veterans, a nonprofit dedicated to creating real, long-term change for those who have served.

Today, Veteran Home Builders (VHB) and Building Stronger Veterans (BSV) operate as a unified ecosystem. Together they are building homes, building skills, building confidence, and building futures. The work isn’t always easy, and the path hasn’t always been perfect, but it’s real. And it’s making an impact.

Adam’s story isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about refusing to give up. It’s about turning personal hardship into hope for others. And it’s about ensuring that no veteran has to face their battles alone.

Because when you rebuild with purpose, you don’t just build homes...
you build stronger veterans, stronger families, and stronger communities.

Matt Lyons

Co-Founder & Director of Development

Co-Founder and Director of Development Matthew Lyons brings deep passion, drive, and a lifetime of public-service values to the mission of Building Stronger Veterans. A son of a Submariner and grandson of a Navy Seaman, with family who served in all major U.S wars including WWII and for the Union in the Civil War, service to this Nation is woven into his DNA.

Though Matt did not serve in the U.S. military himself, he has dedicated more than 11 years to Corrections protecting his community and mentoring at-risk youth. He continues to serve today as a Correctional Officer. His background has taught him teamwork, accountability, and what it means to show up for people in their hardest moments. In 2024, Matt joined the Courageous Survival Peer Support Team, where he supports individuals navigating mental health challenges.

When he isn’t grinding for BSV, Matt enjoys time with his wife, kids, and dogs. He loves hunting, camping, concerts, and serving his community. Above all, Matt is a family man, a proud American, and a fierce advocate for the Veterans BSV is committed to uplifting.

“Between my family and close friends who have served this great Nation, it is my personal obligation and responsibility to give my all to BSV and the Veterans we serve.” — Matt