HFMN Blog

“What I went through was horrifying, and I couldn’t find housing because of the felony. Helping others not make the same mistakes I made would be a light in all of this.” Those are the words of Andrew Roebuck, a disabled U.S. Air Force veteran. Andrew served in the U.S. Air Force for three and…

According to the US Census Bureau’s most recent survey data, there are 373,795 veterans living in Colorado with access to hundreds of military and veteran nonprofits throughout the state. The number of resources available to veterans in Colorado is incredible, but it also leaves many individuals lost and confused about where to start. This is…

According to Evan Caster, Senior Manager of Homeless Initiatives with Community Health Partnerships in El Paso County, in Colorado Springs there are “about 350 homeless veterans any given month and veterans make up about 15% of the homeless population”. Home Front Military Network and its partner agencies are passionate about bringing awareness and ending veteran…

This is the story of Daniel, a financial assistance case that turned into something so much bigger. Daniel never thought that when he called Home Front Military Network (HFMN), it would lead to a life-changing Christmas for him and his family. HFMN was able to provide Daniel with resources and financial assistance so he could…

Did you know that February 4th is USO Day? USO Day celebrates the efforts of the United Service Organizations who have been supporting our service members since 1941 while they are deployed and at home. The mission statement of the USO is to “strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home,…

What an unbelievable year it has been here at Home Front Military Network thanks to our incredible staff, Board and committee members, sponsors, donors, and volunteers. We are sincerely grateful for the community that makes the work we do possible. Things certainly did not slow down in 2022, and our dedicated case managers stayed busy…

November 17th, 2022, started out with a beautiful sunrise to welcome in over 700 community members, civic leaders, and elected officials on their drive to the Broadmoor International Center. The Colorado community gathered to learn more about the mission and purpose of Home Front Military Network (HFMN) and how everyone could make a difference in…

We are so excited to share our 2021 Annual Report with you. This report illustrates how Home Front Military Network has used our resources to make an impact on the lives of service members, veterans, and their families last year. While 2021 was a difficult year, with many of our military and veteran families struggling…

You can walk down any street in downtown Colorado Springs or Denver and see that homelessness is a prevailing issue in our state. According to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, as of 2020, an estimated 9,846 individuals are experiencing homelessness every day in Colorado. Of the 9,846-experiencing homelessness, 1,044 are veterans. Homelessness is a…

With Suicide Prevention month coming to an end, we want to highlight one of our partner agencies who work to prevent suicide EVERY month of the year. If you are reading this, there is a good chance that suicide has affected your life in some way. Whether losing a loved one to suicide or struggling…

Included among the very important populations that Home Front Military Network (HFMN) serves are members of the Colorado National Guard (CONG) and their families.  While they are extremely busy and challenged much as active-duty service members are, members of the CONG don’t receive the benefits that active-duty service members do unless they are currently under…

A New Three-Digit Veterans Crisis Line Phone Number Makes It Easier for Veterans, Service Members, National Guard, and Reserve Members to Get Support A new Veterans Crisis Line phone number makes it easier for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them to get help when they need it: dial…

The 9th Annual Honoring the Brave Golf Scramble presented by Parsons for the Home Front Military Network was a tremendous success. Held on June 24th at Ft. Carson’s beautiful 18-hole championship Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course, the event was a fun day for all and a wonderful opportunity to raise money for a very worthy cause. …

As a military service member, veteran, or family member, you are a true hero. At Home Front Military Network (HFMN) we understand that you have given selflessly to our country, often making great sacrifices to serve. We recognize the extraordinary contribution you have made and strive to give back by providing financial assistance, navigation, education…

Home Front Military Network’s mission is to connect military service members, veterans, and their families with resources from our trusted community partner agencies. We depend on these partners to provide support to this deserving population.    In this blog, we are pleased to highlight one of these valuable organizations, LifeStance Health.    LifeStance Health provides…

Tony, Army Veteran Tony is a U.S. Army Veteran who served just as the Vietnam War was ending. His cousin convinced him to enlist with him but was ultimately unable to pass basic training, leaving Tony on his own. “I wasn’t one for giving up, so I said, ‘I’ll just do what I can do,’”…

Get off the couch and rock out to some fantastic cover music by southern Colorado’s SofaKillers while celebrating Colorado’s military and veteran families.  Proceeds from the Aug. 12, 2022 “Honoring the Brave Benefit Concert,” will benefit Home Front Military Network which seeks to help service members, veterans, and their families survive and thrive through holistic,…

There is Hope for Everyone Who Suffers from PTSD Imagine living like this:  Every time you’re in a crowd, your throat tightens, and you feel like you can’t breathe. Your heart starts pounding…thump, thump, thump. And then comes the cold sweat, which runs down your face and stings your eyes.  When you hear any type…

Home Front Military Network has long been concerned about the overwhelming number of active-duty personnel and veterans who have tragically lost their lives to suicide. Part of our mission is to connect active-duty service members, veterans, and their families to helpful resources in the community, so today our spotlight is on the work being done…

Home Front Military Network was honored to be featured as the charity spotlight of the night at the baseball game between the Rocky Mountain Vibes and the Idaho Falls Chukars in Colorado Springs on June 11th. HFMN was featured in the opening ceremonies, and many people visited our booth and learned about our mission. Thanks…

Two decades of war have taken a tremendous toll on the mental health of our service members and veterans resulting in tragic and heartbreaking consequences – increased rates of suicide among those who have already sacrificed so much to protect our country’s freedom.  Consider the following devastating statistics: In 2021, research found that 30,177 active-duty…

Anthony, Army Veteran When Anthony joined the Army in 1995, it was a last resort. Ultimately, it became the best decision he ever made.  Before becoming a Soldier, Anthony says he was having a good time, working as a stand-up comic and a musician, but he wasn’t building a future for himself. In the Army,…

Photo: [Juan in the foreground, Jenny far left] Thanksgiving Day 2020, first time the family was able to touch, hug, and be in the same room with each other since they contracted COVID-19. “It was so great working with [HFMN Case Manager]. She was so detailed and patient–with a calming voice. She would tell us…

Tim, U.S. Army Veteran Tim, a young veteran, served active duty for both the U.S. Army and National Guard. His military experienced taught him discipline, punctuality, and most importantly what it means to be a leader. Tim currently works as a general contractor—supervising remodeling, building, and renovation projects. However, like so many others, the COVID-19…

Channelle, U.S. Army Veteran Channelle is a United States Army Veteran who reached out to Home Front Military Network (HFMN) not knowing what kind of assistance she needed but knew she was in need of guidance. “I wasn’t sure if you [HFMN] could even help me. I saw Home Front Military Network [on a magnet],…

Sally, Mother of Iraq Veteran Sally is the mother of Michael, an Army Veteran who served in Iraq between 2006 and 2008. Michael suffers from a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress after being involved in explosions in Iraq and watching fellow Soldiers die on the battlefield. Michael also lost a brother, who took his…

Laureen, U.S. Army Veteran & Steve, U.S. Marine Veteran Laureen and Steve reached out to Home Front Military Network because they needed help with their utility bill. They are both veterans, Laureen served in the United States Army and Steve served in the United States Marine Corps. Steve was drafted in November of 1971 and…

“HFMN went out of its way to support my husband, a company commander in charge of a reserve unit in Las Vegas, with resources for his soldiers in need. To date, those resources have helped soldiers in Nevada, Utah and Arizona with critical support for their well-being. I would recommend their services to all military…

After two decades of war, mental health challenges are taking a tremendous toll on our nation’s veterans and active-duty military service members and their families. Some research has even found that the most publicized of those challenges – post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression— affected approximately 14-16% of U.S. service members deployed to Afghanistan.   …

Homefront Military Network (HFMN) is excited to announce our Parsons Honoring the Brave Golf Scramble to pay tribute to our true heroes — veterans, service members, and their families.  The tournament, which will take place on June 24th at Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club in Fort Carson, benefits HFMN’s extremely critical mission to support this deserving…

April is the month of the military child Spend just a few minutes with a military child of any age and you’ll understand the true meaning of “freedom isn’t free.” Here is what some of these truly remarkable children say about the blessings and challenges of their lives. “It is what it is and makes…

In the final months of the year, HFMN would like to take a moment to reflect on the achievements, challenges and successes of 2021. Similar but different to 2020, Home Front Military Network staff continued to work mostly from home—capitalizing on unique ways to stay engaged and reach our community and those in need. Since…

Home Front Military Network recently held its 5th Annual Honoring the Brave Breakfast—and it was a day to put down in the books! Early that December morning, nearly 700 military members, veterans, retirees, partner agencies, elected officials at all levels, and community members gathered at The Broadmoor International Center for the event. Twelve HMFN partner agencies…

As the weather gets colder and the days grow shorter, we’re reminded of those who don’t have access to secure housing. Homelessness, is more dynamic than it seems and can be present in a myriad of ways. Couch surfing, living in a hotel, moving from shelter to shelter, camping under a bridge—all are accurate representations…

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and in an effort to promote awareness regarding this very relevant issue, we’re highlighting two of our partners–Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center and Headstrong. Mt. Carmel offers wellness and employment services to veterans and their families, and Headstrong is known for their military/veteran-specific mental health support groups, counseling and more.…

As the situation in Afghanistan continues to evolve, many veterans have shared they are struggling personally and emotionally. All of us at Home Front Military Network want you to know that you are not alone and there are many resources available. Resources Recommended by the VA: Veterans Crisis Line – Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1; text…

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Unemployment rates for both male and female veterans increased in 2020, reflecting the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate for male veterans was 6.5 percent, little different from the rate of 6.7 percent for female veterans.” Keeping in mind the increase in unemployment among veterans and that July 25th was Hire…

 It’s been given many names over the years—shell shock, war neurosis, battle fatigue, etc. Today we know it as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. While PTSD is most commonly associated with military service members and veterans, it can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. Some even stipulate that Odysseus, from Homer’s “The…

May is Military Spouse Appreciation month, and so here at HFMN, we’d like to offer up programs, services, and resources within our Partner Agency Network that aim to help the military and veteran spouses/caregivers of our community. Military spouses serve just as much, albeit in different ways, as our service members, they literally “hold down…

April is the Month of the Military Child, and so we’ve asked our partners at Project Sanctuary to share how they’re making a difference in the lives of military families and the unique challenges and successes for these families. WHO IS PROJECT SANCTUARY Project Sanctuary is a national nonprofit headquartered in Granby, Colorado. Founded in…

The following article is contributed by HFMN Event Committee member Brent Sabati. If you’ve been involved with philanthropy, non-profits, and charity work, you’re probably familiar with events like fundraising dinners and galas. In the pre-COVID era, many of us would look forward to dressing up and enjoying a night of good food and even better…

This month, we asked some of our partners to discuss diversity and inclusion—what does diversity and inclusion look like, why is it important, and how are they striving for diversity. The following article was contributed by our partners at StableStrides. Since 1981, StableStrides has partnered with the horse to provide the highest quality physical, emotional,…

This month, we are taking a look at the issue of substance abuse and addiction. What are some dangers around substance abuse? How does it affect a person’s life and the lives of those around them—specifically those within our military and veteran community. How do we break the stigma surrounding substance abuse? And what resources…

As we begin to close the door on 2020, a year for the record books, Home Front Military Network would like to take a moment to reflect on our first year as a merged organization. For HFMN, 2020 was a year of unity, flexibility, resourcefulness, strength, and hope. Unity Two local nonprofits, The Home Front Cares (THFC) and Peak Military…

Other than phrases like “unprecedented” and “social distancing,” self-care has to be one of the most frequently used words for the year of 2020. And for good reason! We are living through a time of unforeseen anxiety, uncertainty, and isolation—and that’s not including the annual stressors of the holiday season. To maintain strong mental health,…

The following blog article was contributed by our friends at the Bruce McCandless Veterans Community Living Center. To learn more about this community living center, click here. Last spring, in the middle the 2020 quarantine, veterans and staff at Bruce McCandless Veterans Community Living Center at Florence (located 30 miles south of Colorado Springs) joined together…

The following article was contributed by Duane France, Director of Veteran Services at Family Care Center Colorado Springs. His military background and professional experience as a clinical mental health counselor make him a very qualified spokesperson on suicide prevention. It should also be noted that in 2019, Duane was selected as El Paso County Veteran…

The question of homeschool versus public education used to be a mock argument students would have in debate class. This fall, it is a far more serious issue for our community. Though back-to-school 2020 is complicated, the reason for this year’s education reform is simple—COVID-19. In March, school districts, daycares, and universities started closing one-by-one…

Welcome to Home Front Military Network’s blog! This blog will be the place for monthly updates and stories within our organization and community. It will also be a center for informative articles, reflections, best practices, and current events. If you’re interested in being a contributor for this blog, please contact our Communications & Outreach Assistant,…