The Veterans Voice

In this monthly departmental update from Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, you'll hear from the Transition & Employment Department as well as two interviews from the Veteran Business Outreach Center.

Aaron Groziak with VBOC brings you two interviews from female veterans who are successfully growing their businesses. Discover stories from veteran-owned, women-owned businesses operating in the Colorado Springs area and learn about opportunities for veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs.

Plus, Taylor Chapman and John Dix chat about what's happening with the T&E department and how folks can grow and develop through classes at Mt. Carmel VSC and dive deeper with Peer Navigators to help in the transition from military to civilian employment.

The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service. Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.

Hear from our host as he brings his father and son into the studio to explore a personal perspective on what it means to serve the country while thinking of your loved ones back home. Crendon, age 7, shares what it's like to have a dad who served in the Army, and Paul's father shares the heartfelt pride and care for his son's commitment to serving our nation.

We'll be sharing more stories and interviews from our military kids this month, so please enjoy stay tuned for additional Month of the Military Child Special Edition episodes in the month of April.

The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service. Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.

Jay Bergalowski, a pre-need specialist with The Springs Funeral Services, talks with host Paul Watson about how pre-planning with the right funeral home can make the hardest moments a little easier for military families laying a service member or veteran to rest. With empathy, caring, and an immense capacity for connection, Jay walks through the challenges and necessary details for final arrangements. It's an episode full of information you need to know, so don't miss info-packed episode.

The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service. Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.

Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Director of Operations, Paul Price, joins the podcast with community partner and sponsor, Blake Schwank, to discuss the ways we can show up to support our Veteran community and why the support is important to our community and our country.

The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service. Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.

Meet our newest team member in the Transition & Employment Department, and hear our own team of T&E Experts relate their own experiences transitioning out of the military.

Our Transition & Employment Department serves the military community by providing valuable classes, resources, mentorship and guidance to help you craft a civilian-ready resume, develop a plan and make a successful transition from the military to civilian life.

Learn more and find out what's happening in our community at veteranscenter.org

The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service. Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.

TJ Westphal, an Army Veteran who served eight years, now serves Veterans struggling with addiction through his work with Valley Hope as part of the Veteran Outreach Team. TJ sits down with your host, Paul Watson, to discuss the unique nature and benefits of a treatment plan that is designed specifically for Veterans struggling with addiction.

If you or a Veteran you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. Please contact Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center for resources and counseling options available: veteranscenter.org

To connect with TJ and learn more about the Valley Hope Addiction Treatment & Recovery, check out valleyhope.org or reach out to TJ Westphal at [email protected]

The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service. Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.

MOAA Officers, Steven Lucks and Mike McCoy, join Paul Watson in the studio to discuss the Military Officers Association of America and what this group is doing to shift legislation, advocate for military veterans and their families, and continue the mission of serving through volunteer efforts. Then, meet Jodi Walter—a Veteran who is developing a Veterans Only program at Cross Fit Falcon View to inspire, connect, and heal Veterans.

The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service. Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.

Veterans Voice stand-in host, Angi Baker-Saunders, sits down with Kayleigh O'Donnell to discuss the fast-approaching St. Paddy's Day Parade happening in downtown Colorado Springs and how you can get your tickets to guarantee a great view with food and drinks as part of the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center annual St. Paddy's Day Parade Breakfast fundraising event. Be sure to purchase your tickets today!

Plus, Blake Schwank, CEO of Colorado Computer Support and Luis Alvarez, CEO of Alvarez Technology Group, take time to discuss careers in the tech industry, transitioning from the military to civilian and life and why they prioritize hiring Veterans when possible.

The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service. Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.

Tune into the monthly Colorado VBOC Podcast Episode, hosted by Colorado VBOC Director, Kia Palmer. In this episode, she welcomes Pat Loch to discuss small business resources and classes, mentoring, and more for entrepreneurs. Learn more about VBOC's collaboration with SCORE and how these organizations are helping the entrepreneurial community.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center, powered by the SBA, is dedicated to helping military-connected entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses with a variety of free resources and support to veterans, military spouses, and other qualifying entrepreneurs of Colorado.

The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service. Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.

We are welcoming March with a timely update from our own Bob McLaughlin, Executive Director of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. Please listen in to find out what our nonprofit is doing to support the mission. Plus, hear about the St. Paddy's Day Event you won't want to miss!

Get your tickets for a St. Paddy's Parade Breakfast and Grand Marshal Reception here! It's a delicious way to support Veterans and Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, enjoy breakfast, drinks, and a snag a great view of the parade.

The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is a Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service. Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.