Health and Wellness

In this edition of the Veterans Voice, 719 Heroes and Operation StepUp finding homes for homeless Veterans; with the P.A.C.T. Act now law, the VA is coming through with new and better benefits for warriors; Colorado College's Bemis School of Art is bringing Veterans together with the arts for healing and a pickleball battle royale fundraiser for Veterans!
 
 
Learn More About Operation Step Up
 
 
 
 
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 local Trail Life Troop is creating and donating custom canes for disabled veterans.  It all starts with Christmas trees and a grateful, giving spirit.
 - Photo Credit:  KRDO
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT TRAIL LIFE
Contact Judson Babcock:  TroopCO1613@gmail.com
 
 
 
Meet Your Veterans Voice Host
Nanette Brédé  |  Transition and Milspouse Employment Specialist
Nanette Brédé Mueller is a difference-maker. Following her retirement after 29 years with the U.S. Army as a strategic planner and program manager, Nanette continues as a servant leader volunteering thousands of hours to the veteran community focusing on career transition, spouse employment and veteran-focused national and state legislative issues. An award-winning volunteer, Nanette was selected as the 2020 El Paso County, Colorado Veteran of the Year, in the nation’s largest veterans community. She is also a Distinguished Partner and Community Ambassador with Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an 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. 
   
 
 
 
 

Attend the Next VA Resource Fair and Town Hall
“These VA Resource Fairs and Town Halls are community-based opportunities for Veterans to get one-on-one support with understanding, accessing and using their benefits and services, then collaborate closely with VA at the local level.”
- VA ECHCS Director Michael Kilmer

Mt. Carmel Music Expression facilitator, Robert Scoggins, recently spoke with KCME's Keith Simon about the therapeutic properties of music, his own musical healing journey and how this veteran is inviting fellow veterans to join him on the road to wellness.  You don't need to know music, how to play an instrument or even own one.  Robert takes all comers regardless of ability.  Listen now for all the details!
 
     
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an 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.     
 
 
 

A Marine on a mission, Michael "Sherm" Sherman went from high school to college, the Marines and from there to the insurance industry where he worked unfulfilled for years.  Sherm saw an acute need in the military connected community among families for equipment to get their kids into sports.  That's when 4KidzSports was born.  
 
LEARN MORE HERE  |  DONATE HERE
 
CONTACT SHERM: E:  sherm@4kidzsports.orgD:  720.436.4026
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an 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.     
 

Partnerships are powerful for Mt. Carmel and the veterans and their families we serve.  Executive Director, Bob McLaughlin, talks about how you benefit if you've served and how anyone can become a partner.  In our second half hour, tax tips for you veterans and your families from a veteran who's mastered the IRS maze, then, the healing properties of archery.
Partnership Information:  719-772-7000
 
 
Tax Advice for Veterans, Military and Their Families
Robert Smith  |  Master Tax Advisor  |  Certified Public AccountantE:  robert.m.smith@tax.hrblock.com
 
 
Archery School of the Rockies
Learn More Here
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an 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.     
 
 
 
 

An Air Force veteran, real estate agent, business owner and host of The American Dream TV Colorado Springs (ADTV COS), Clint Jordan is an energetic and charismatic success story.  He could do a lot of self promotion with his TV program but that wouldn't reflect his true nature.  He's chosen instead to dedicate ADTV COS to shining the light on members of the community he says give back more than they take.  In the next installment of ADTV, he features Jay Cimino, owner of the Phil Long Auto Group, founder of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, and retired Colonel Bob McLaughlin, Mt. Carmel Executive Director.

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Behavioral Health Podcast featuring Kirsten Belaire, LPC.  In this podcast, a brief introduction to the series and Kirsten then straight on to a rare look at counseling from the inside, what an education-based program of counseling is, how it works to make good emerging counselors great and how that helps clients get well.
 
Meet Kirsten Belaire, LPC, Director of Behavioral Health, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center
Kirsten graduated from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS), with her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and now teaches undergraduate courses there.  She is the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and after working in the community as a clinician, she decided to join Mt. Carmel’s mission to help our military community.  Kirsten’s role at Mt. Carmel is to ensure that the behavioral health services offered are culturally competent, military specific and accessible to a range of clients who might not ordinarily have access.  She is the main site supervisor for graduate counseling interns, partnering with more than seven universities to provide opportunities in the counseling field for the best of the best.  Outside of her role at Mt. Carmel, Kirsten enjoys the companionship of her dog, Lukie, riding her motorcycle, teaching and presenting in the community, and traveling abroad.
 
 
If you Need Non-Crisis Behavioral Health Assistance
Call Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center at 719-309-4758If You’re in Crisis
Dial 988 - then press 1 - for the Suicide and Crisis LifelineVeterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255Colorado Crisis Services at 844-492-8255
In a Medical Emergency
Always Dial 911
 
 
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.
 
 
 

This edition of Veterans Voice features the VA's new health app, highlights a couple helping homeless Vets find housing, a Mayoral candidate's vision for supporting the military community and a man once broken healed by the music he now shares with others. 
 
 
Get the Health and Benefits App Here
 
 
Learn More About Operation Step Up
 
 
Learn More About Wayne Williams
Note:  Mr. Williams' appearance on Veterans Voice was a follow-on to our recent interview of Mayor John Suthers who is endorsing Mr. Williams in the Mayoral race.  This interview does not constitute an endorsement of Mr. Williams by Veterans Voice, it's parent for and non-profit companies, staff, management, advertisers, sponsors or partners. 
 
 
Call 719-309-4714 to RSVP
 
 
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.
 
 
 

Mark and Mary Shuster share the number one cause of divorce and have a message for singles.  Take the steps.  Get in financial control.  Then live and give like nobody's business and it all starts with the commitment of $20 and one day a week for nine weeks.
Register Now!Financial Peace University Presented by Mt. Carmel Veterans Service CenterCall Jonathan Helm at 719-309-4716
 
Mark and Mary Shuster, Financial Peace University Coordinators
Mark and Mary Shuster are a proud local military family and Mt. Carmel Ambassadors.  Mark is a Director of Programs for a contracting firm and a Colonel in the US Marine Corps Reserve.  Mary works as a flight attendant for a major airline.  They have been FPU coordinators since 2018 and have worked with more than 75 Mt. Carmel Veteran families.  Together, these families have learned how to use the Baby Steps to communicate and win with money.
 
 
The FPU Podcast with Mark and Mary is produced in the Veterans Voice studio located on the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado 
 
 
 
 

Mark and Mary Shuster explain dreaming in HD.  You've been through the steps.  You're in financial control.  Now you're living and giving like never before and it all started with the commitment of $20 and one day a week for nine weeks.
Register Now!Financial Peace University Presented by Mt. Carmel Veterans Service CenterCall Jonathan Helm at 719-309-4716
 
Mark and Mary Shuster, Financial Peace University Coordinators
Mark and Mary Shuster are a proud local military family and Mt. Carmel Ambassadors.  Mark is a Director of Programs for a contracting firm and a Colonel in the US Marine Corps Reserve.  Mary works as a flight attendant for a major airline.  They have been FPU coordinators since 2018 and have worked with more than 75 Mt. Carmel Veteran families.  Together, these families have learned how to use the Baby Steps to communicate and win with money.
 
 
The FPU Podcast with Mark and Mary is produced in the Veterans Voice studio located on the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado 
 
 
 
 

On KRDO's Afternoon News, Dan Cochell talked with Mark and Mary Shuster, Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Facilitators with Mt. Carmel, about their upcoming FPU class, taking place weekly from February 22nd to April 19th.
Register for FPUCall Jonathan Helm at 719-309-4716
Meet Mark and Mary Shuster, FPU Facilitators
 
 
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.
 
 
 

Mt. Carmel Music Expression facilitator, Robert Scoggins, recently spoke with KRDOs Dan Cochell about the therapeutic properties of music, his own musical healing journey and how this veteran is inviting fellow veterans to join him on the road to wellness.  You don't need to know music, how to play an instrument or even own one.  Robert takes all comers regardless of ability.  Listen now for all the details!
 
     
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an 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.     
 
 
 

In this podcast, Jim and Jane Bloise, NAMI Homefront Class facilitators, discuss the class and how military-connected families benefit.  Homefront is a free, 6-session educational program taught by trained family members of service members and veterans with mental health concerns. It is built on the foundation of NAMI's flagship Family-to-Family class, but customized to address the unique needs of family, caregivers and friends of those who have served or are currently serving our country.
 - Excerpted from NAMIColoradoSprings.org
The Homefront Class is FREE and begins February 1, 6:00 - 8:30 P.M.
REGISTER HERE
Call for more information:  719-473-8477
 
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an 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.     
 
 

In this Special to the Veterans Voice, a little cutting loose to honor lifetimes of service.  Honor Flight of Southern Colorado presents Boots, Bubbles and Bourbon, a night to celebrate women Veterans and help fund their upcoming flight to commemorate the critical roles they played during times of war.  Honor Flight's Cindy Long and Barbara Harris share a few touching stories and invite you to help keep them going!
 
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
 
 
 
Featuring Country Music Performer, Jacob Christopher Listen to Jacob Here  |  Book the Band
 
 
DONATE TO HONOR FLIGHT
  
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an 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.     
 
 
 

During KRDO's Midday Edition, Dan Cochell talked with Ken Curtner, Lead Clinician with Veterans Services at UC Health, about the Next Chapter program, a community wellness collaborative serving Veterans and their families.
 
Request Next Chapter ServicesOr Call:  1-888-719-8387
 
 
 
 
 

This week on Veterans Voice, the best start to the new year could be getting a great job.  Get the details on Mt. Carmel's January 25, hiring event.  Then, also in January, the Travis Manion Foundation is teaching how to lead with your strengths and family character building.  
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 

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.

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! 

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.
 
 

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.
 
 

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.
 
 

 
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.
 
 

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.