Nightly Buddy Check

A nightly, peer-led check-in for Veterans—because no one should end the day feeling alone.

The WarriorNOW Nightly Buddy Check is a virtual, peer-to-peer check-in where Veterans can drop in, connect, and talk about what’s really going on—good, bad, or ridiculous. Every single night at 7:00 PM Mountain Time, Veterans log in from across Colorado and beyond to find camaraderie, accountability, and support in a judgment-free space.

🕖 Nightly Buddy Check: Every night at 7:00 PM MST
👩 Female Buddy Check: Thursdays at 7:00 PM MST
💬 Format: Virtual, peer-led support group via Zoom
💰 Cost: Free for Veterans and their families

What Is Nightly Buddy Check?

Nightly Buddy Check is WarriorNOW’s core peer-support program: a nightly, virtual drop-in group where Veterans can check in, share what’s on their mind, and feel seen and heard by people who “get it.” It’s not therapy and it’s not a formal treatment group—it’s a supportive space led by trained peer facilitators and mentors. warriornow.org+2GreatNonprofits+2

Some nights, the call is full of laughter and jokes. Other nights, it’s a place to talk honestly about:

Stress, anxiety, or depression
Recovery and relapse prevention
Family, work, and life transitions
Court, justice involvement, or reentry

The everyday ups and downs of life after service
“It brought back the camaraderie, trust, support, and hope that I lost after exiting the Marine Corps—it saved my life.”

Who Can Join Buddy Check?

Buddy Check is open to:

Veterans from any branch, era, or discharge status
Guard and Reserve members
Active duty or transitioning service members (case-by-case)
Family members on specific nights or by arrangement (if you choose to allow this)

It’s especially helpful for Veterans who are:

Feeling isolated, anxious, or overwhelmed
In recovery or working on sobriety
Involved with Veterans Treatment Court, probation, or reentry
Looking for a consistent, safe place to connect with other Veterans

No referral is required, and there’s no requirement to talk. You’re welcome to just show up and listen until you feel ready to share.

When Does Buddy Check Happen?

Nightly Buddy Check (All-Gender)

🕖 Every night at 7:00 PM MST

🌐 Virtual via Zoom

👥 Facilitated by trainedWarriorNOW peer leaders

Female Buddy Check

🕖 Thursdays at 7:00 PM MST
🌐 Virtual via Zoom
👩 Peer-led group for women Veterans only

Saturday Recovery Call

🕖 Coming Soon

Focused on recovery, sobriety, and support around addiction

What to Expect on a Buddy Check Call

We keep it simple, supportive, and Veteran-centered.

Welcome & Check-In

The facilitator opens the call, sets ground rules (respect, confidentiality, no judgment), and invites everyone to introduce themselves if they’re comfortable.

Open Discussion

Veterans share wins, struggles, and whatever is on their mind—anything from serious life stress to dark humor, to “this ridiculous thing that happened today.”

Support & Resources

Peers offer encouragement and perspective. Facilitators may provide info on resources (WarriorNOW programs, VA/non-VA supports, community partners).

Closing & Follow-Up

The group wraps up with encouragement and reminders that nobody has to go through this alone. When needed, facilitators may follow up one-on-one or connect Veterans to additional support.

Key points

You don’t have to turn your camera on.
You don’t have to talk if you’re not ready.
You can come every night or just when you need extra support.
You will be welcomed as you are.

Why Nightly Buddy Check Matters

Isolation is one of the biggest risk factors for Veteran suicide, relapse, and recidivism. Buddy Check exists to break that isolation—one evening at a time.

Through Nightly Buddy Check, WarriorNOW:

Creates daily, low-barrier touchpoints for Veterans in crisis or transition
Reinforces the camaraderie and trust many Veterans miss after leaving the military
Identifies Veterans who may need additional help and connects them to mentors, Reentry, Trades, or community resources
Provides a consistent space where Veterans can practice connection, accountability, and self-advocacy

A third-party review of WarriorNOW notes that the nightly virtual Buddy Check is an open forum where Veterans can talk about whatever is on their mind, and that this kind of connection can be life-changing.

How to Join Nightly Buddy Check

Step 1: Fill out the short form below or email us at info@warriornow.org
Step 2: We’ll send you the secure Zoom link and basic call guidelines.
Step 3: Log in any night at 7:00 PM MST—camera on or off—and come as you are.

Your information is confidential and only used to help us share the call link and keep the group safe and supportive.

Buddy Check for Courts, Jails & Community Partners

Nightly Buddy Check is a powerful support for justice-involved and high-risk Veterans. Courts, jails, JBBS providers, and community organizations regularly refer Veterans to WarriorNOW’s Buddy Check and peer programs as part of their support and reentry plans.

Partners use Buddy Check to help Veterans:

Build routine and pro-social connection
Stay accountable to treatment and supervision plans
Access additional mentoring, Reentry, and Trades programs

Stay connected in evenings, weekends, and high-risk times

Buddy Check by the Numbers

Each Buddy Check call is a lifeline—sometimes it’s laughter, sometimes it’s tears, always it’s connection.

Nightly Buddy Check FAQs

Is Buddy Check therapy?

No. Buddy Check is a peer-led support space, not a therapy or clinical treatment group. We don’t diagnose or provide medical advice. When needed, we help Veterans connect to professional services.

Does it cost anything to join?

No. Nightly Buddy Check is free for Veterans, thanks to donors, grants, and community partners.

Do I have to talk or turn my camera on?

No. You can join, listen quietly, and turn your camera off. You can share whenever you feel comfortable.

I’m in recovery / dealing with addiction. Is this for me?

Yes. Many of our participants are in recovery or working on sobriety, and Buddy Check is a supportive space to talk about it. We also offer a Saturday Recovery Call (coming soon) focused specifically on recovery support.

Can I join if I’m not in Colorado?

Yes. As long as you can attend at 7:00 PM MST, we welcome Veterans from outside Colorado, subject to space and safety considerations.

Is there a separate group for women Veterans?

Yes. Female Buddy Check meets Thursday nights at 7:00 PM MST and follows the same supportive, peer-led format in an all-female space.

No Veteran Ends the Day Alone

Nighttime can be the hardest part of the day. With Nightly Buddy Check, you don’t have to face it by yourself. Whether you’re struggling, doing okay, or somewhere in between, there’s a group of Veterans waiting to check in, crack jokes, listen, and remind you that you still belong.