Programs

You've come a long way in life by the time you reach your 60s and that comes with perks, Medicare being one of the most important but most complicated.  Every second Wednesday at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, On Trail Medicare Solutions', Nick Palarino, and the Medicare Mentors team gather to get you through the Medicare maze.  It's FREE and you're invited!
 
 
 
RSVP TODAY FOR THE FREE MEDICARE SEMINAR
CALL:  719-301-9525 - OR - 719-772-7000Seminars are hosted by Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center and presented the 2nd Wednesday of every month, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., by Medicare Mentors Powered by Spark and On Trail Medicare Solutions.
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT ON TRAIL MEDICARE SOLUTIONS
 
 
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 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.
 
 
 

"We believe our veterans deserve our support and recognition for their exemplary military service, outstanding community service and endless encouragement to other local veterans. El Paso County will honor one veteran annually, for his or her efforts defending our country and continued willingness to serve their neighbors and community, as Veteran of the Year."
Nominate Someone for 2022 Veteran of the YearReview the Nomination Guidelines and Example HereFill Out the Nomination Form HereSubmit your nomination by March 31, 2023
 - The above is excerpted from the El Paso County, CO website
 
 
 
Nanette Brede' 2020 El Paso County Veteran of the Year
Photo Credit:  El Paso County, CO
WATCH NANETTE'S AWARD EVENT
 
 
 
 
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.     
 
 
 
 

Veterans Voice had a visit from Kyle Blakely who is doing the military connected community a great service by gathering a lot of valuable information about the mayoral candidates and presenting it in a conversational tone in their own words.
Listen to All the Interviews 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. 
 
 
 

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.
 
 
 

Meet Al Maxwell, Chief Master Sergeant, USAF Ret., Mt. Carmel partner and LINK* program facilitator.   
 
"I believe people are capable of doing incredible things and being successful at it if they are given the right tools and a chance to prove their abilities."
 - Chief Master Sergeant Al Maxwell, USAF Retired
 
*Learning, Interviewing, Networking and Knowledge (LINK) is Mt. Carmel's soon-to-launch, two-day transitional interviewing workshop led by Mark Smith, Mt. Carmel's Director of Transition and Employment. 
For more information about LINK and how you can participate, please call Mark Smith at 719-309-4724.
 
 
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.
 
 
 

Other than traditional lunch meetings, the Military Officers Association of America, Pikes Peak Chapter, has been quiet since the pandemic hit.  The aim now is to change that, stepping back into the flow of things.  In this podcast, MOAA Pikes Peak's director of membership and treasurer, Felix Ulick, and Veterans Voice host, Nanette Brede', talk about why the 60 year old chapter's 400 members are on the march once again!      
Learn More About MOAA Pikes Peak Here
MOAA National is 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.     
 
 
 

In this podcast a conversation with Sue Hoppin, founder of the National Military Spouse Network, about how she's fighting hard to see that military spouses have a secure place in the workforce. 
 
Milspouses Learn More Here
 
 
 
 
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.     

In our first half hour, a powerhouse team of military veteran experts and advocates in transition, employment and milspouse hiring discuss the new L.I.N.K. program at Mt. Carmel and the work they're doing to open up job opportunities for military spouses.
For Veterans and Milspouses Looking for Jobs Call:
Mark Smith, Director of Transition and EmploymentD:  719-309-4724
Blair Erato, Military Career Program CoordinatorD:  719-309-4758
 
 
In our second half hour, a conversation with Sue Hoppin, founder of the National Military Spouse Network, about how she's fighting hard to see that military spouses have a secure place in the workforce. 
 
Milspouses 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.     
 
 
 

Mark and Mary Shuster have a shot for the post-holiday credit card flu, acknowledge that the economy is scary right now and touch on taking care of student loan debt.  Get in financial control.  Follow the steps.  Free yourself to live and give 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 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 
 
 
 
 

When the time comes to transition out of the service, LinkedIn's Leadership Advisor, Nicci Bosco, is your guide to setting up and leveraging the platform to your greatest advantage.  And you'll appreciate her passion for your success when you listen to the podcast. 
Join the Next LinkedIn 101 Class.  It's FREE for Veterans.Call 719-772-7000 to Ask How
* For Veterans and Members of the Military *Sign Up Here for your Free Year of LinkedIn Premium
 
 
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'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 our first half hour, the AARP Foundation is back again with Tax-Aide and free tax preparation!  Then, when you fins yourself in a sticky situation and you need legal advice, the Rocky Mountain Veterans Advocacy Project is standing tall and ready.   
Call Mt. Carmel to Make Your Appointment(719) 772-7000
 
 
Apply for RMVAP Services
Call (720) 253-0963 or E-mail:  clientservices@rmvap.org
 
In our second half hour, employers, you're missing out on high-value tax credits when you hire a veteran and February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.  The signs of being abused your dating teen might be showing are subtle but the danger is real.
 
 
If you are a Veteran looking for work, or an employer looking to hire Veterans or are purposely hiring Veterans, go to https://veterantaxcredits.com to register. Or call Craig at (303) 578-6572 for help getting started.
 
 
 
Get Help with Teen Dating Domestic Violence
Download the Dating Violence Resource Guide
 
Love is Respect Call:  1-866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522 Online live chat www.loveisrespect.org
 
Break the Cycle 202-824-0707www.breakthecycle.org
 
 
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.     
 
 
 

In our first half hour, a Veterans Path with 30-year Army veteran, Kathy Prue-Owens, and the path to Financial Peace with Financial Peace University facilitators, Mary and Mark Shuster. 
Request Veterans Path Services
 
 
 
Register for Financial Peace University
Classes one day a week Feb 22-April 19Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center  |  530 Communication Cir., Colorado Springs  80905$20 per family includes workbookCall Jonathan Helm to register:  719-309-4716
 
 
In our second half hour, three members of the military recall their experiences and offer encouragement for the next generation to join.  Share this conversation with those you know considering a life in the service.  Enjoy the listen together with Col. Mark Shuster, USMC Reserves; Oscar Vaughn, USAFA Ret. and Mike Lewis, USN Reserves, Ret.  
 
 
 
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