About Follow Me Veterans Foundation

Veterans walking alongside veterans.

We believe veterans are best served by people who have walked the same road. Through lived experience, peer support, and community, we help fellow veterans move toward stability, purpose, and belonging.

Serving Los Angeles County

Three men seated together in a peer-support conversation.
Connection and shared experience are at the heart of our approach.

Our Founder

A shared road.
A renewed purpose.

Larry Hooks Jr. founded Follow Me Veterans Foundation with a belief that shared experience can open the door to trust, connection, and meaningful support.

An Army veteran, certified Peer Support Specialist, and recovery advocate, Larry draws on his lived experience to help fellow veterans move from crisis toward stability, purpose, and community.

His commitment to service began early. He graduated from Crenshaw High School in 1990 and rose to the rank of Captain in the LAPD Explorer Program before enlisting in the United States Army in 1991.

Our Values

What guides every step.

Honor. Support. Empower. Transform. These four words guide every program we build and every veteran we walk alongside.

Honor

Respect each veteran’s service, story, and lived experience.

Support

Walk alongside one another with compassion and connection.

Empower

Encourage the confidence and purpose to take the next step.

Transform

Keep moving toward stability, belonging, and a renewed future.

Our Board

Experience in service.
Commitment to community.

Our board brings together military experience, peer support, healthcare, and community leadership.

Larry Hooks Jr.

Larry Hooks Jr.

Founder & President

Army veteran, certified Peer Support Specialist, and recovery advocate.

Larry brings lived experience and a commitment to helping fellow veterans find stability, purpose, and community. His belief in veterans supporting veterans is the foundation of our work.

Read Larry's Full Bio

Kenrick Haylock

Kenrick Haylock

Vice President

Military veteran and entrepreneur with experience in community leadership, operations, and organizational governance.

Read moreClose — Kenrick Haylock’s full bio

Kenrick serves on the Board of Directors for the Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association, co-founded Heroes Pathway, and previously served as Adjutant for Disabled American Veterans. He brings strategic oversight and a deep commitment to veteran and community advocacy.

Arkiya Poitier

Arkiya Poitier

Treasurer

Military service member, healthcare professional, and veteran advocate with 19 years of total military service.

Read moreClose — Arkiya Poitier’s full bio

Arkiya served for 10 years in the United States Navy Reserve and currently serves as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force Reserve. A Surgical Technologist for 16 years, she brings discipline, compassion, and teamwork to helping veterans and their families thrive.

Ericka Duson

Ericka Duson

Secretary

Counselor, veteran advocate, and dedicated community leader with a lifelong connection to the military community.

Read moreClose — Ericka Duson’s full bio

Ericka grew up with a father and uncle who served in the United States military, both of whom are now laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery. She was also married to a U.S. Navy service member during his active-duty service.

As a counselor, she brings compassion, understanding, and a commitment to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges. She is honored to serve on the Board of Directors and advocate for homeless veterans and their families.

Kenneth Burns

Kenneth Burns

Board Member

Kenneth Burns is a U.S. Army veteran who proudly served for 13 years. His military service helped shape his values of leadership, discipline, teamwork, accountability, and commitment to serving others.

Read moreClose — Kenneth Burns’s full bio

Following his military career, Kenneth built more than 15 years of experience as a self-employed professional while continuing to expand his knowledge in business operations, information technology, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, systems design, and project management.

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Follow Me Veterans Foundation, Kenneth is passionate about giving back to the veteran community and supporting fellow veterans and their families. He brings the perspective of both a veteran and business professional, along with a strong belief in service, opportunity, and helping veterans successfully navigate life beyond military service.

Take the Next Step

There’s a place for you here.

Whether you’re a veteran seeking support or someone ready to help, connect with Follow Me Veterans Foundation.