The Vantage Point

If Not Me, Then Who, and a Daughter’s Journey

 
The Travis Manion Foundation is teaching how to lead with your strengths and family character building.   

Housing for Heroes, Saluting Heroes and Helping Them Stay Healthy

Carrie Lukins and Preston Smith of 719 Heroes are working hard to house veterans.  Mt. Carmel's Pueblo operations manager, Sal Katz, is positioning his team to grow and expand their range of services and getting ready for a Salute to Heroes.  New Mt. Carmel partner, Oak Street Health's, Rob Parish, explains the advantages to veterans of managed care style health care.  Be James Bond for a night and a cause, and much more in this week's edition of Veterans Voice! 

On KRDO - Bob McLaughlin on A Toast to Veterans

Mt. Carmel executive director, Bob McLaughlin, recently spoke with KRDO's Afternoon News anchor, Dan Cochell, to talk about A Toast to Veterans, an evening of fun, glamour and James Bond style glitz!
A TOAST TO VETERANS "Monte Carlo Night"  
January 7, 2023  |  City Auditorium
BUY TICKETS  |  BID ON AUCTION ITEMS
6:00PM Cocktails, Danding, Hors D'oeuvers & Silent Auction 
 6:30PM - Welcome & Toast: Linda Weiss, Ret Col Robert McLaughlin
6:30PM - Tables Open; Roulette, Blackjack, Craps, & Texas Hold'em 
 8:30PM - SILENT AUCTION CLOSE
9:00PM - Event Close
Cocktail Attire Encouraged!
 
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 

Medicare Mentors, Oak Street Health and the Power of Partnerships

Lives saved and critical financial benefits restored.  That's the power of a partnership recently formed between Medicare Mentors and Oak Street Health.  In this podcast, Oak Street Health's, Rob Parish, and Medicare Mentor's, Rich and Pam Lewis, share stories of how pairing up is leading to veterans lives greatly improved.
 
Request Oak Street Health ServicesCall:  Rob Parish at 480-440-7886Email:  robert.parish@oakstreethealth.com
 
 
 
Request Medicare Mentors ServicesCall:  Rich and Pam Lewis at 719-886-3377Request Services Online
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 

On KRDO - Sarah Meadows on Healing Massage for Veterans

Mt. Carmel partner, Sarah Meadows, recently visited with KRDO's Afternoon News anchor, Dan Cochell, to talk about her mission to help veterans heal through massage therapy and spiritual counseling.  Sarah doesn't charge veterans for her services and takes a wholistic approach, addressing soul, mind, body and spirit.  
Book your appointment with Sarah by calling 719-772-7000.
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 

Planning Your Legacy

In this episode of Planning Your Legacy, gifting your assets to others can be a valuable tool in estate planning.
Gifting can help you reduce your taxable estate and avoid the probate process. 
You can donate appreciated property like stocks, bonds, and other securities while receiving a charitable deduction for the total market value of that asset. Along with that, you won’t pay any capital gains tax in the transfer .
Anyone can set up gift planning as part of their estate plan and when you do, you're helping Mt. Carmel better the lives of thousands of veterans, military and their families!
Get your planned giving questions answered.
Contact Dana Rocha, Director of Development and Fundraising
By phone:  719-309-4774By e-mail:  drocha@mtcarmelcenter.org
 
Download Your FREE Planned Giving Guide
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 

Operation Christmas Giving Back 2022 a Success!

Several years ago, Sara Berberrette and her son began a journey of giving.  With the help of her then seven year old Isaiah, Sara started baking cookies and taking donations for them.  They used the money to buy Christmas toys for military families.  They've worked hard and 2022 has been a breakout year for Operation Christmas Giving back!  In this podcast, Sara shares her story of success and talks about big plans for the future!
 
 
Follow OCGB on FacebookBuy Your Munchkies Cookies Here (10% of Profits go to OCGB)
Donate on Venmo:  @operationchristmasgivingbackDonate at PayPal:  @operationchristmasgi
Contact Sara:  operationchristmasgivingback@hotmail.com
 
   
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 
 

Lucrative Careers in Plumbing, Refuge for Ill Vet’s Families and Healing Meadows

In this podcast, DRF's Mike Lawyer and Scott Schnurr share some startling facts about the plumbing trades and how you can leverage that information to your advantage.
Work in the Plumbing Trades
 
 
Ken Fisher, founder of Fisher House, is providing refuge to the families of ill veterans.
Connect with Fisher House  
 
 
FREE massage for Veterans provided by Sarah Meadows, licensed massage therapist and Navy veteran at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center every Monday. Openings in January.
Call 719-309-4714 to Reserve Your Session
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 

Cybersecurity Heads Up Episode 2: Staying Safe and Being Smart On-Line

'Tis the season as they say and Colorado Computer Support's Blake Schwank has some advice for protecting yourself from the on-line scammers and bad guys.

Josh Wills, MCVSC Pueblo Key Transition Player

Veterans Voice Pueblo host, Cassime Joseph, introduces you you to Josh Wills, a key member of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Pueblo. Josh was born in California, but his parents owned land in Huerfano County, Colorado, so they moved their family there in 1990. He followed family customs and served in the United States Navy.
Josh returned to school after serving in the military and earned an associate's degree in criminology at Bellevue College in Washington State. Afterward, he returned to Colorado and started working as a prison officer where he was later elevated to the case manager position. 

2022 Was Good, 2023 Will Be Better!

 
In this edition of Veterans Voice, Mt. Carmel Executive Director, Bob McLaughlin, is looking back on 2022 and ahead to  how Mt. Carmel will serve the military connected community in bigger, better and more ways in 2023.  Then Nanette Brede' and how PrepConnect 360 is changing, and Chris Dahl and Daunte Davis on how Nursing and Therapy Service of Colorado is keeping veterans and their families healthy. 
In Colorado Springs
Request Services:  (719) 772-7000  |  Open:  8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Monday-Friday
530 Communication Cir.  |  COS, CO  80905
In PuebloRequest Services:  (719) 309-4719  |  Open:  8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Monday-FridayWalk-In services at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital  |  Medical Arts Building1925 E. Orman Ave., Suite 156 Pueblo, CO  81004
 
 
 
 
Also in this podcast, Nursing and Therapy Services of Colorado are Healing Heroes by providing home healthcare to veterans with physical disabilities. NTSOC's Daunte Davis and Chris Dahl explain how their veteran therapy programs can help with chronic pain and a variety of other common health concerns by maintaining or improving health and well-being.
 - Excerpted in part from the NTSOC website.
 
Request Healing Heroes Services Here
 
 
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 

A Red Carpet Toast to Veterans

A TOAST TO VETERANS "Monte Carlo Night"  
January 7, 2023  |  City Auditorium
BUY TICKETS  |  BID ON AUCTION ITEMS
 6:00PM Cocktails, Dancing, Hors D'oeuvers & Silent Auction 
 6:30PM - Welcome & Toast: Linda Weiss, Ret Col Robert McLaughlin
6:30PM - Tables Open; Roulette, Blackjack, Craps, & Texas Hold'em 
 8:30PM - SILENT AUCTION CLOSE
9:00PM - Event Close
 
Cocktail Attire Encouraged!
 
 
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 

Cookies for Toys and Help for Veterans and Families Over the Holidays

In this "Best-Of" podcast, the touching story of a young boy and his mom who formed a non-profit around getting donations for home made cookies and using the money to buy toys for kids.  Then, the holidays can make a veteran or military connected family feel a lot of things, not all of them good.  Mt. Carmel's Military, Veterans and Family Services, and Behavioral Health teams are at the ready with help you might need. 
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.

Introduction to The Party Dolls by George Hayward

Veterans Voice recently connected with Mr. George Hayward.  Air Force veteran and journalist.  Colorado Springs resident.  Author of The Party Dolls, the true story of two men's escape from a Vietnamese prison camp.  Their plan was code-named The Party.  It is our honor to introduce him to you.  In this podcast, exclusively in his own words, the story behind the story of The Party Dolls. 

Casual Convos Episode 1: The Football Experts

 
As happens on occasion, we've hit the record button, we're starting an interview and a whole other conversation erupts.  In this case, an Army veteran said, "...Vikings...", to a Navy veteran.  As in the football team.  Enjoy what happened next...

Vets Voice Expanding to Pueblo, the Art of Soap, Philanthropy and More

 
In this podcast you'll meet Cassime Joseph, newest member of the Veterans Voice team.  He's leading our expansion in to Pueblo.  Then, a veteran teaching veterans to make soap as a means of healing.  You'll learn about The Empty Stocking Fund's efforts on behalf of Mt. Carmel and how you can help.  And finally, a veteran owned, veteran friendly business with job openings you'll want to hear about!
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 

Patriot Guard Riders Honoring Our Fallen

 
In this podcast, Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) State Captain, Jim Balcerovich, talks about PGRs origins and founding, their purpose and their mission to honor our fallen.   

Wreaths Across America Day December 17!

 
Wreaths Across America Day is December 17.  A day Wreaths Across America's Joe Reagan will tell you is for remembering, showing gratitude and turning out to help lay wreaths on the graves of the many who gave their all.  In this podcast, Joe shares the Wreaths story, tells a couple of his own and has an ask of you.  As you'll learn, your sponsorship of wreaths will have a profound impact.
Sponsor Wreaths HereEnter:  "Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center (CO0243P)  |  170567"if you'd like a portion of your sponsorship dollars to support our mission.
 
 
Veterans Voice on Wreaths Across America Radio
Thursdays 10:00 A.M. Eastern; Saturdays 8:00 A.M. Eastern; Sundays 6:00 P.M. Eastern
Stream Live Here
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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 Launching in Pueblo

 
We're very excited to announce that The Veterans Voice is soon to launch in Pueblo!  The program will begin airing December 3rd on KTSC 89.5 The Revolution based at Colorado State University, Pueblo.  In this podcast, we introduce you to Veterans Voice Pueblo host, Cassime Joseph.  Cassime is an Army veteran, college student, photo journalist, blogger, podcaster, radio host, KTSC radio operations manager and president of the CSU Pueblo chapter of the Student Veterans of America.  
Veterans Voice Pueblo will air Fridays at 9:00 a.m. and is aimed at giving veterans a voice and getting the word out about the services provided for veterans and military connected families available at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Pueblo, CSU Pueblo and other agencies in the Pueblo community.
 
Listen Live Fridays at 9:00 A.M.
 
 
 
Request Mt. Carmel Pueblo Services:  (719) 309-4719Open:  8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Monday-FridayWalk-In services at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital  |  Medical Arts Building1925 E. Orman Ave., Suite 156 Pueblo, CO  81004
 
 
 
Cassime Joseph  |  Operations Manager  |  KTSC 89.5 FMPresident, Student Veterans of America CSU Pueblo Chapter
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 

A Debt Free Scream and High-Paying Careers for Vets

 
In this hour of Veterans Voice, completing Financial Peace University yields financial success for a veteran couple.  Then Bill Nash on employment opportunities for veterans in the high-demand construction trades; Byron Edwards on OSHA certifications in facilities management and Blake Schwank on work in the IT/cyber security space.  
 
Register for 2023 Financial Peace UniversitySeminar Openings in February and AugustCall Jonathan Helm:  719-772-7000
 
 
 
Interested in OSHA HAZMAT Certification?Classes are FREE for Veterans!Learn more at www.nationalpete.org/military-training-program
 
 
Start Your Career in Facilities ManagementVeteran Friendly Companies are Hiring Across the CountryByron Edwards:  bedwardsfm@gmail.com
Explore a Career in IT TechVeterans Owned Colorado Computer Support is Hiring!Call:  (719) 355-2440
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 

One Donation, 20 Agencies, a Whole Community Served

 
Founded in 1984, the Empty Stocking Fund is fueling the charitable work of 20 agencies around the Pikes Peak Region that in turn impact more than 350,000 lives every year.  In this podcast, executive director of the Gazette Charities Foundation, Deb Mahan, explains how every dollar you give provides $1.50 in assistance and that no donation is too small. 

Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month

 
November is National Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month.  In this podcast, Phil Long Dealership's Executive Vice President and Partner, Kevin Shaughnessy, explains what's behind the company's veteran-friendly culture and why they're making a donation of up to $100,000 to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.

Mt. Carmel Team Working Hard to Meet Community Needs

 
Mt. Carmel's Alice Miles and Jacqie Warmbir are among many supporting efforts to provide family and behavioral health services at an especially challenging time of year for military connected families and veterans.  In this podcast, how best to engage when you need help and a look at how getting you what you need works.  Also, if you don't need help but can give it, your donations are encouraged and very welcome!
Request Mt. Carmel Services
Colorado Springs:  (719) 772-7000  |  Walk-In:  8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Monday-Friday
Pueblo:  (719) 309-4719  |  Walk-In:  8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Monday-Friday
 
 Become a Donor
 
 
CRISIS INTERVENTION RESOURCES
Diversus Health Lighthouse Walk-in Crisis Center
Call: 844-493-TALK (8255)
Text: TALK to 38255
Walk-in: 115 South Parkside Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Veteran’s Suicide Hotline1-800-273-8255 then press 1, or, text 838255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline800-273-8255
Trans Lifeline877-565-8860
Next Chapterwww.nextchapterco.org888-719-8387
The Objective Zero App (veterans talk to veterans)https://www.objectivezero.org/app
PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Outpatient Clinic Colorado Springs719-327-5660
3141 Centennial BoulevardColorado Springs, CO 80907
Non-Emergency Colorado Springs Police Number719-444-7000
El Paso County Sheriff719-520-7100
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 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.
 
 

Operation Christmas Giving Back in Full Swing

 
Sara and Isaiah Berberette co-founded Operation Christmas Giving Back when Isaiah was just 7 years old.  At the age of 16, he is partners with his mom in their 501(C)3 and use the money they raise from donations in exchange for Sara's freshly baked Munchkies Cookies® to buy hundreds, sometimes thousands, of toys to give to kids who might not otherwise have a Christmas.