Success Stories

This is the story about an Air Force veteran author.  The name of his most recent book (to be released on Veterans Day), The Penguin that Wanted to be a SEAL.  The book was written and illustrated with children in mind but is really for the whole military family.  Follow along as Trevor share's the Penguin's thought-provoking, life-changing journey.  Profits from the sale of the book will benefit both the The Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Navy SEAL Foundation.
 
 
 
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. 
 
 
 

Meet Senior Master Sergeant, USAF Ret., Israel "DT" Del Toro, Jr., the man who made, and kept, A Patriot's Promise.

A veteran business owner has received a well-earned accolade from a consortium of business support organizations and their leaders.  Model Citizen Coffee's Enrique Camacho stood out among 90 other nominees and has been named 2023 Veteran Owned Small Business off the Year.  Find out how this 30-year Army veteran got his start in business and why he won this prestigious recognition.  
 
VISIT AND SUPPORT MODEL CITIZEN COFFEE COMPANY
 
 
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.
 
 

Coming May 31, spend the afternoon with Trevor Nolan, author of Military Money:  How to Thrive on a Government Salary.  Trevor shares a series of stories that begin with financial mistakes and failure, and end in his ultimate success. 
 
 
Meet Trevor Nolan
Trevor penned his book Military Money to share his journey towards financial freedom after retiring from active duty as a member of the United States Air Force.  His mission is to help fellow service members achieve the very freedom they've fought to protect.  By transcending the limitations of trading time for money, Trevor's book paves the way for you to passionately pursue your true life's purpose.
 - Excerpted and adapted from the Military Might Publishing website
 
 
HELP TREVOR GIFT MILITARY MONEY TO VETERANS
LEARN MORE ABOUT MILITARY MIGHT PUBLISHING
 
 
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 episode, a 17 year old filling a vital food pantry; living your final days with dignity; more services for Veterans coming to Pueblo and a Veteran radio show host spreading the word!   
 
 
Seventeen year old James Irwin Charter School honor student, Janelle Rivera, is leading a five-school drive to fill Mt. Carmel's nearly empty food pantry and Hope Closet with food, clothing and toys.  The Lets Give Back event is being hosted by Mt. Carmel April 15, and will feature the treat of lunch for those who donate!
Janelle comes from a military family who were once Mt. Carmel clients in need of assistance.  And now that they are in a better place, they are giving back to see it paid forward.
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT LETS GIVE BACKCall:  719-772-7000
 
 
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT JAMES IRWIN CHARTER SCHOOLS
 
 
Army Veteran, Mike Thomas, explains how his approach to helping you live your final days in dignity, beauty and peace.  
REQUEST PIKES PEAK HOSPICE SERVICES
 
 
Request 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
 
 
Veterans Voice Pueblo
Fridays at 9:00 A.M.  on  KTSC 89.5 FM
Stream Live Here
 
Cassime (keh-SEEM) Joseph is leading our expansion to the Pueblo market as host of the Veterans Voice Pueblo radio broadcast and podcast.  He is an Army veteran and student at CSU Pueblo majoring in mass communications with an emphasis on multimedia journalism; operations director for CSU Pueblo's media department and the KTSC 89.5 FM radio station; feature writer and photo journalist for school's The Today newspaper; president of the Student Veterans of America CSU Pueblo chapter and an active member of the Black Student Union.
 
 
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 episode, a Veteran Marine leading Citizen Soldier Connection is meeting emergency needs for Veterans.  A successful Army Veteran, auto dealership manager and Mt. Carmel board member is offering a better life for former military, and Mt. Carmel’s “army” of social workers are at the ready! 
 
 
REQUEST CITZEN SOLDIER CONNECTION SERVICES
DONATE TO CSC
 
 
 
PHIL LONG KIA JOBS
 
 
 
 
REQUEST MILITARY, VETERAN AND FAMILY SERVICESCALL:  719-309-4752
 
 
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. 

Regina Lewis had struggled all her life.  In 2001 she lost her husband in a helicopter crash and was suddenly facing life raising her young child alone.  Starting with a promise to her son, determination, $20 from a stranger, a new dress and the right kind of hope, she and her son now live the lives of their dreams.  They are thriving.     
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT REGINA
 
 
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.     
 
 
 

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.

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.
 
 
 

In this podcast a conversation with CSU Pueblo's Ryan Kendall, Associate Director for Recruitment and Outreach.  Ryan talks about CSU's very Veteran friendly campus as Colorado's first Purple Heart designated school, the high-value Veterans Success Center and how Veterans are set up for success from the day they engage.
Veterans, Learn More Here
 
 
 
 
 
Meet Your Veterans Voice Host
Cassime Joseph  |  Host  |  Veterans Voice Pueblo
Cassime (keh-SEEM) Oliver Joseph is a veteran of the US Army and multimedia journalist currently living in Pueblo, Colorado.  He serves as operations director for CSU Pueblo's radio station, KTSC 89.5 FM, The Revolution.  He is also president of the CSU Pueblo chapter of the Student Veterans of America and joins the Veterans Voice Project on-air/podcasting team helping to facilitate our expansion into new markets.
 
 
 
 
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 
 
 
 
 

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.

Unscripted and a little unhinged at times, this podcast features three men of the military working hard to live their best lives for themselves, their families and the people in their orbits who depend on them.  Enjoy this Casual Convo with Col. Mark Shuster, USMC; Oscar Vaughn, USAF Ret. and Veterans Voice host, Mike Lewis, USN Reserves, Ret.    

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.
 
 

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.
 
 
 

 
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.
 
 

Way back in 1997, Stephen Doyel was a troubled seventeen year old high school student.   Still, he made his way into the Navy.  The path from then until now has taken him to the Navy, from the service, through five states, homelessness, a TBI, substance abuse and being justice involved.  The rest of the story?  In this podcast, in his own words, how Stephen triumphed over his trials and a message to his fellow veterans. 
Request Remount Services
Photo Credit:  Remount Foundation, United States Air Force Academy
 
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
 
 
 
 
 
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.

Inside a fourteen foot wide, sixty foot tall glass tube a unique experience awaits.  There is nothing like the sensation of flying and it's all possible because three veterans joined together to bring iFly to Colorado Springs. 

September 3, 2022 - A subject that weighs heavily on many minds, suicide among veterans.  In keeping with September being Veterans Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Mt. Carmel's Rodger Johnson - a survivor himself - and host Mike Lewis talk about programs, grants and partnerships in place to help save struggling veterans.  

August 22, 2022 - Special to the Veterans Voice - your monthly update from Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Pueblo featuring operations manager Justin Verhulst and community coordinator Sal Katz.  Changes coming to the Pueblo office, more services being added and new connections to the community being made all to benefit military, veterans and their families!   

August 20, 2022 - Host Mike Lewis visits with Mt. Carmel's Director of Operations, Paul Price on the September 2nd, 7th Annual Patriot Day Give Back - a huge heart felt thank you to military, veterans and their families.  Then, can you hear the voice of God? One Simple Voice's Bishop Richard Hanifen and founder, Frannie Rose, answer that one big question. 

August 13, 2022 - It's Heroes and History Day on this edition of Veterans Voice featuring Blue Angel and Top Gun movie pilot, Scott “Intake” Kartvedt.  Then, author/storyteller Zach Morris on his new book, When the Beaches Trembled: The Incredible True Story of Stephen Ganzberger and the LCIs in World War II.

April 23, 2022 - Hear the personal success story of an Air Force veteran whose post-military career in culinary arts is thriving.  And the 719 Battle of the Food Trucks event is coming up Sunday, May 15 and supports Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.