Issue: #27                                                                                  September 2020
One-Stop
for Veterans
& Military



A Hand-Up for Military and
Veteran Families
On September 4th, Mt. Carmel served hundreds of military, veteran, first responder and community families during our Patriot Day Give Back. This was our 5th annual event honoring service and sacrifice. Patriot Day occurs annually in memory of the lives lost on September 11, 2001. The Give Back began at Mt. Carmel in 2016 as a way to honor our military and veteran communities. Historically, in cooperation with several partners, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center
has provided goods for 400 military-affiliated families. This year, we doubled the giving and distributed food and personal necessities to 800 families. To help meet the growing need due to the pandemic, we also opened the event to anyone in need.
 
The morning began with an opening ceremony where we were honored to have U.S. Senator Cory Gardner as keynote speaker and we heard remarks from State Senator Bob Gardner and State Senator Pete Lee. Over 60 community leaders and partners joined us in kicking off the celebration.

After the opening ceremony, the Pikes Peak Highlanders band led us over to the Give Back where over a dozen partners met the rows of cars with sports equipment, gifts and resource information. Then, over 90 volunteers helped distribute nearly 30,000 pounds of groceries and personal hygiene items. Materials were donated by our generous sponsors: Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, Feed the Children, Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, Colorado Springs Food Rescue, Pepsi, Domino’s, Comcast, The Sourdough Boulangerie and 4kidzsports.
 
In addition to the anniversary of 9/11, September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which includes World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th. Veteran suicide is the most challenging issue within the veteran community as this crisis takes the lives of more than 20 veterans every day, which is about one and a half times as high as the civilian suicide rate, according to the most recent federal statistics. More veterans die by suicide every two days than were killed in action last year.
 
At Mt. Carmel, we strive to support those suffering with a broad range of wraparound services as well as easy access to mental health counseling. We encourage all of you who know someone suffering to please direct them to appropriate resources as quickly as possible. You could change their life today.

Each day our case managers, peer navigators, counselors and partners provide direct assistance in career and transition, supportive services, behavioral health, and partnered services to bring hope where there may be hopelessness.
 
We will continue to welcome each veteran, military and family member into Mt. Carmel as the unwavering beacon of support - with a hand-up…not a hand out.

By Col. Bob McLaughlin, U.S. Army, Retired
Chief Operating Officer
With a Little Help from Our Friends
Mt. Carmel is a non-profit organization that provides low/no cost services to ALL veterans, military and their families without restriction or eligibility requirements and without a steady stream of earned revenue such as fees or insurance reimbursements. This means we rely on fundraising to support programs and serve clients. We are very thankful to the generous foundations, government agencies, corporations and individuals who support Mt. Carmel. We couldn't serve clients without your generous and ongoing support! In the last two months, we have received financial support from:
And many others who prefer to remain anonymous

We thank you all for your continued support!
Are You Listening to the Award-Winning Veteran's Voice?
The Mt. Carmel Veteran's Voice Podcast was awarded first place in 2019 at the Colorado Broadcaster Association Awards of Excellence in the Best Use of New Media Category! The bi-monthly radio show is a podcast broadcast on KRDO Radio. Veteran's Voice is hosted by KRDO personality and Navy veteran, Mike Lewis, and is presented by USAA in partnership with Star Dental Institute.

Follow this link to listen:

Patriot Day Give Back 2020
Our 5th Annual Patriot Day Give Back was held on Friday, September 4th. Thanks to the generosity of our partners and volunteers, this drive-thru event was our most successful Give Back to date!
Save the Date!
Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is hosting Hoedown for Heroes, a western-themed charitable event on Friday, November 6, 2020 at the Boot Barn Hall in Colorado Springs.

This Mt. Carmel flagship event will feature cocktails, a whiskey tasting, BBQ dinner, silent auction and LIVE music with the Exit West Band! Local radio personality Richard Randall from Cumulus Media will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Seating will be limited due to COVID variances, 
so reserve your table sponsorship early!

We will also be offering a virtual version of the event! Relax at home while enjoying the program, music and BBQ. This virtual opportunity will be available on our website soon. You can enjoy our presenters and dance in your living room while supporting our veterans, military and their families. The silent auction will be available online to all.

More surprises coming, so stay tuned!

Click here for more information.

Full Steam Ahead in Transition & Employment
Things continue to move full steam ahead for our Transition & Employment (T&E) team. As you can imagine, high unemployment and much uncertainty in today’s workforce means that our small but mighty team stays busy assisting job seekers with identifying and applying for meaningful employment and training opportunities.

Client engagement continues to happen for us virtually thanks to COVID-19; however, there is limited movement to in-person coaching as well. We also have resumed in-person briefings at the Transition Assistance Programs located on Fort Carson, Peterson AFB, USAFA and Schriever AFB. We hosted a second virtual job fair in August with partner DeVry University connecting 17 employers to over 50 job-seeking candidates, and we taught another Create Your Best Resume workshop as well. We also hosted an Avoiding Financial Pitfalls During and After Transition class virtually. Our Prep Connect 360 workshops continue to adjust to a smaller class size and more virtual interaction with presenters and companies. We now have over 791 graduates! And our Veterans Service to Career Program (VSCP) team continues to partner with the Crawford House in the community to connect homeless veterans with employment opportunities.

We onboarded one new intern through the VSCP and participated in a Veteran's Voice podcast and a KRDO Drive at Five live interview that highlighted Mt. Carmel and the MilSpouse Career Program (MCP) involvement in the recent passage of HB 20-1326, Create Occupation Credential Portability Program (also known as the Red Tape Reduction Act). Effective 1 Jan 2021, this Act allows military spouses moving into the state of Colorado the ability to obtain a temporary, three-year license to work in their professional occupation, assuming they have a license in good standing from another U.S. state. Finally, we highlighted Mt. Carmel and T&E offerings through a U.S. Chamber Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zone (MSEEZ) national virtual meeting and through 10th anniversary recognition events for the National Military Spouse Network (NMSN).
 
T&E also conceptualized and launched the Level Up Scholarship program, which connects our job-seeking clients with our many partner-sponsored trainings and educational opportunities. One of our first partners in the program is Leaderquest, an ACI Learning Company, who recently awarded three of our Veterans Integration Program (VIP) clients with scholarship opportunities valued at over $25K.
 
Sadly, in the past month, T&E has also experienced significant staffing changes. Richard Gagne, our Senior VIP Peer Navigator, has left us to become an El Paso County Veteran Services Officer, and VSCP Peer Navigator, Amy Demenge, has returned to Ryder as a Military Program Recruiter. Lucky for us, when good people leave us for growth opportunities, they take Mt. Carmel with them in their hearts and so our reach also grows in the community as a result. We will miss them and wish them the best.
 
We have conducted interviews and made job offers to three new employees in T&E to cover the VIP, VSCP and MCP vacancies. They are scheduled to join the team no later than 1 October and we are excited to welcome them! 
Behavioral Health Team Up to the Challenge
Here at Mt. Carmel Behavioral Health, our team has done a great job of adjusting and responding to the challenges of COVID-19. We are providing telehealth services as well as face-to-face services while wearing face masks and sanitizing rooms between sessions. We understand the impact that COVID has had on our community and are doing what we can to make sure those in need can still receive our services.

We are also teaming up with the Veterans Administration Suicide Prevention Team and the Community Coalition for Suicide Prevention to address the growing need for interventions for those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide.

Our team is made up of licensed professionals, licensure candidates and graduate interns. Our graduate interns are from numerous universities along the Front Range including: Denver University, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, University of Northern Colorado, Regis University, Denver Seminary and Colorado Christian University. 

Our internship program has brought us so many wonderful people over the years! Our team has helped countless veterans and their families through individual, couples and family counseling. Each month we will be highlighting one or two of our graduate interns, licensed professionals and/or licensure candidates so they can tell their story of the time they have spent with the Behavioral Health team at Mt. Carmel.
 
This Month we are highlighting Janelle Hale:

“Interning with Mt. Carmel has been an enriching experience. Our supervisor, Kirsten, provides a welcoming environment to grow in our work as student clinicians. I find that I can seek insight to help clients and find the style that matches who I am. I find the same to be true with the team. Fellow interns offer a wonderful and collaborative experience. I have been able to grow in my ability to confidently provide therapeutic services and grow as an individual in the process. I have been grateful for this internship experience and would highly recommend it.”

By Kayla Prior, Behavioral Health Administrative Assistant 
Online Fundraiser for Mt. Carmel


We have been awarded the
TOP PRIZE of the
Direct Effect Award from the
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)
and will be the beneficiary of CHFA’s 2020
David W. Herlinger Golf Tournament!


Unfortunately, the tournament had to be canceled, but you can still help us today by donating
to their online fundraiser benefitting Mt. Carmel!
Resiliency...the Act of Bouncing Back
and Recovering
In light of the continuation of COVID-19 and the upset it has brought to so many lives, we want to start with a simple thought: Resiliency is defined as the act of "bouncing back" and recovering. But is it good enough to just recover? Are we in a place where recovering will suffice under the new norms? Resiliency is no longer just about bouncing BACK; it's about moving FORWARD! We bring this up in order to inspire change and also to make it known that you are not in this alone.

The Veteran and Family Resources (VFR) team is hard at work helping our veterans to not only recover in the face of COVID-19 but also to provide ongoing support that allows them to endure and even improve their lives in spite of COVID-19. The policies, moratoriums and executive orders can be tricky to follow, especially because they are being developed so rapidly and are ever-changing. The VFR team is here to help veterans understand how those policies affect them directly and those to which they need to pay particular attention. We also continue to provide ongoing resources and financial support to those who have hardships outside of COVID-19.

To help us better support our veteran community, we have added a new case manager to the team. Nathan Hubbard joins us as the new Veterans Climb Case Manager. Veterans CLIMB is a pilot program developed between Mt. Carmel and the El Pomar Foundation to provide intensive case management to our most vulnerable veteran populations. As Nate gets settled in, we will bring you more information on the program and its development. 
Nate is a veteran and served in the Army for five years, leaving the service in 2011. After the military, he went on to work in a variety of security and law enforcement positions. Through that work, he found his passion - to empower people, rather than just correct them. Nate used this insight to become a case manager. He comes to us after serving as a case manager for CoreCivic. One of the vulnerable populations that the Veterans Climb program focuses on is justice-involved veterans, and Nate’s history in that arena has already proven to make him an asset to the team and in developing this program. He is dedicated to using his own experience with the difficulties of military separation and transition to advocate for and help others navigate those challenges. Even though he has only been involved in the program since the beginning of September, he has dived right in to advancing Veterans Climb.

Outside of the office, Nate enjoys spending time with his one-year old son, as well as hiking and rock climbing in all the beautiful places Colorado has to offer. We’re excited to have him as a part of the team and look forward to sharing the progress of the Veterans Climb Program in the near future.
New Director of Operations, Paul Price
Paul Price came to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in July 2017 as a participant in the Prep Connect 360 Transition Workshop, and he never left. Now, more than three years later, his Mt. Carmel journey led him to becoming the Director of Operations. He is responsible for the daily operations of the Center, ensuring best practices and boots-on-the-ground service delivery, overall management, direct supervision of the Mt. Carmel Staff, as well as program sustainment and budget oversight to ensure the organization is sustainable and consistently achieving our stated mission and vision of taking care of the military-affiliated community.

His previous position at Mt. Carmel was as the Director of Transition & Employment where he oversaw operations and strategic planning of the Directorate, ensuring exceptional client care, best practices, and partner relations in the team’s service delivery of preparing and positioning transitioning military, veterans and spouses for employment. Prior to that position, he served as the Prep Connect Facilitator. Paul possesses a comprehensive background in Human Capital (HC) Management derived from developing and managing enduring HC programs in both the public and private sector.

Price is a retired Air Force colonel having served at locations throughout the U.S. and also in Germany, Japan, Canada and the Middle East. In 2008, he transitioned into the private sector where he was the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for a technology firm in Washington, DC until 2014 when he relocated to Colorado as a Senior Recruiter for an executive search firm prior to joining the Mt. Carmel team. He holds a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of NH, as well as a Master’s in Personnel Administration from Buffalo State College, NY. He also served as a National Defense Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, United States Air Force Academy. 

Asked what he’s seen during his time at Mt. Carmel, Paul highlighted the expansion of the Center’s programs and partnerships. “It’s a great feeling to be part of a dynamic group that consistently impacts our community in so many positive ways. I’ve always had a passion for working on teams focused on the same goal – making things better.  Mt. Carmel, along with our many partners, volunteers, interns and work studies, strives every day to provide support, guidance and resources to our military community. I’m truly fortunate to be part of such a tremendous team,” said Price.
Volunteer of the Year, Tom Miller
Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is honored to select Tom Miller as our Veteran of the Year. Tom’s service to others is clearly demonstrated by his commitment, time and dedication to our military, veterans, first responders and their families. 

Tom Miller is passionate about supporting the service members and veterans who have served and defended our country. Tom served in the Army during the Vietnam War and returned from service to anti-war demonstrations and anti-military attitudes. It did not sit well with Tom that America’s frustrations were directed towards the service members. After moving to Colorado Springs in 1989, he figured out a way to make a difference! Tom started a personal campaign to welcome home service members and thank them for their service by giving a quarter-pounder, a coke and a handshake to every service member returning from combat to Fort Carson. Over the last 20 years, Tom has been joined by like-minded people and organizations to welcome, thank and support veterans, service members, first responders and their families through a variety of services.

Currently, Tom chairs and volunteers for the Community Connections program at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. This program was created for Tom and encompasses all of his outreach activities. He coordinates and fills the unmet needs of service members, widows, veterans and first responders in Colorado through the generosity of local businesses and individuals.

  • Organizational days and family picnics
  • Guest books, memorial boxes, food and beverages for the funerals of fallen service members
  • Pizzas, popcorn and beverages for families as they wait for returning soldiers at the Welcome Home Ceremonies
  • Turkeys, hams, special meals and Christmas trees for the holidays
  • Dental care, showers, physicals, haircuts, socks and food for homeless veterans
  • A school supply drive in the fall and a coat drive in the winter
  • Dental services and braces for the children of our fallen
  • And many other services
Tom Miller is the owner of Military Cable Ads, the cable-advertising provider on Fort Carson. In addition to his passion for his business and volunteer work, Tom is dedicated to his wife, Rhonda, their six children and eight grandchildren.
Veterans Tribute Walkway
Order holiday gifts now!

Honor a loved one or show your support of a veteran friend or family member by purchasing a brick or paver, featured as part of our Veterans Tribute Walkway on the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center campus.

The proceeds are used to continue providing our essential veterans services. Bricks range from $175 - $200; Pavers from $750 - $850. They can even be personalized with military emblems.

To order your brick or paver,
or for additional information, visit www.thatsmybrick.com/mtcvsc
Sold Out Golf Tournament a Huge Success
What a great day of golf! Mt Carmel’s 5th annual golf tournament at Sanctuary Golf Course, presented by RE/MAX was a sold-out event! We want to extend our sincerest appreciation to our Hero Sponsor, Dominos, the Champion Sponsor Phil Long Dealerships and all of our generous sponsors illustrated below. Our sponsors, partners and 120 golfers all contributed to the most successful tournament in support of our heroes. The funds raised will be used to provide health, wellness and transition services that nurture mind, body and spirit by offering Employment & Transition, Behavioral Health & Supportive Services to veterans, transitioning military and their families. We are already looking forward to seeing you on the links in 2021.
Did You Miss the Tournament?
If you were unable to attend or sponsor the
golf tournament but would still like to contribute
to help provide vital services, programs and resources
to our military heroes and their families,
please donate today.
King Soopers Community Rewards Help Veterans




SPREAD THE WORD:

Help Veterans just by using your King Soopers or City Market card - after you select us online (in just a few clicks)…and there is no impact to your fuel points.

Click here for details.
Upcoming Events
(All events at Mt. Carmel unless noted - additional events at veteranscenter.org)
Events and times are subject to change due to
COVID-19 restrictions, so please call to confirm.
MONDAY
 
10:00-2:00 pm - Mission Medical (3rd Monday of every month)
12:00-2:30 pm - Republican Women’s Forum (Fellowship Hall, 4th Monday only)
5:30-7:30 pm - Art Therapy (Multipurpose Room, every week)
6:30-8:30 pm - Power Breath (as scheduled)
 
TUESDAY
 
8:00-12:00 pm - Belleview Chiropractic (2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month)
9:00-3:30 pm - Medicare Mentors (every week)
10:00-2:00 pm - CTU (1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month)
11:00-12:00 pm - Bible Study (Chapel, every week)
12:00-1:00 pm – Spiritual Connection Group (Chapel, every week)
12:00-4:00 pm - CSU Pueblo (every week)
5:00-6:00 pm - Yoga (Community Hall, every week)
 
WEDNESDAY
 
9:00-1:00 pm - loanDepot (every week)
9:00-12:00 pm – United Healthcare (every week starting 14 Oct)
10:00-2:00 pm - Veterans Advocacy Group (El Pomar Room, every week)
 
THURSDAY
 
8:00-12:00 pm - Aide to You Home Care (2nd and 4th Thursday of every month)
9:00-3:00 pm - Veterans Upward Bound (every week)
9:00-3:30 pm - Medicare Mentors (every week)
10:00-11:00 am - PTS Support Group (Multipurpose Room, every week)
4:00-5:00 pm – Substance Abuse Group (Chapel, every week)
5:30-8:30 pm - Mineralogical Society Group (Multipurpose Room, 3rd Thursday of every month)
6:30-8:30 pm - Mineralogical Society Group (Multipurpose Room, 4th Thursday of every month)
 
FRIDAY
 
4:00-5:00 pm – Substance Abuse Group (Chapel, every week)
Are you following us online and on social media?
For the latest Mt. Carmel information, events and services,
Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter;
and listen to our weekly Veteran's Voice Podcast at KRDO.com.