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 with calls seeking assistance and resources to address homelessness, loss of heat or power, searching for employment, car repairs, behavioral health, and so much more. In 2022 alone, HFMN case managers assisted 5,071 service members, veterans, and their families. With many of those cases being financial assistance, HFMN provided over $294,785 in emergency financial aid. This assistance had an invaluable impact on the lives of vulnerable veteran households by keeping 192 families from becoming homeless or without utilities and other basic necessities. Overall, call volume increased about 17% from 2021, and more than 52% of callers needed longer-term case management support. HFMN made more than 3,800 referrals to HFMN partners, VA, military, and other community resources
This tremendous work could not be done without the faithful supporters, sponsors, donors, and fundraising efforts of HFMN. Community fundraising events are essential to keeping the mission of Home Front Military Network going. These events are key in helping spread the word about the services HFMN provides, and the outreach efforts lead to more service members, veterans, and family members getting connected to the resources they need to survive and thrive.
In 2022, Home Front Military Network hosted three signature fundraising events to support HFMN programs. In June, Parsons and HFMN co-hosted the 9th Annual Honoring the Brave Golf Tournament at Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club in Fort Carson. At the base of Cheyenne Mountain, the views on the 18-hole golf course could not be beat while golfers raised money for a worthy cause. The Golf Tournament raised over $35,000 for the Colorado military and veteran community! In August, HFMN hosted the Honoring the Brave Benefit Concert at Boot Barn Hall featuring the SofaKillers. The SofaKillers killed it playing high-energy pop, rock, country, southern rock, classic rock, and funk covers from the 1970s to the 2020s. The concert was a joyful high-energy night and brought in more than $47,000 for HFMN programs! Last, but certainly not least, HFMN hosted the highly anticipated 6th Annual Honoring the Brave Breakfast at the Broadmoor International Center on November 17th. This was HFMN’s largest Breakfast to date, with over 700 community members, elected officials, and partner agencies in attendance. The event was a great success, raising over $200,000 for Home Front Military Network programs. The event included welcoming remarks from Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, a powerful testimonial from U.S. Army Veteran Michael Crawford Lucas and his mother, Sally Crawford Darrow, and moving musical performances from The Thunder Tones of Discovery Canyon Middle School, led by Anna Saks. At the breakfast, Home Front Military Network presented the Joe Henjum “Honoring the Brave” Award to deserving recipient, Erin Fowler, and the Bob Carlone Community Service Award to Rocky Mountain Human Services-Homes for All Veterans. If you missed the Honoring the Brave Breakfast, you can watch the full program, HERE. Additionally, we are excited to announce that ALL of these events will be returning in 2023, so stay on the lookout for more information and sponsorship details coming soon!
HFMN is extremely grateful for the inspiring team of staff, volunteers, committee/Board members and sponsors who made each event a success in 2022. None of this would be possible without every one of you!
HFMN outreach efforts continued to grow in order to ensure those who need assistance or are interested in making an impact in our military and veteran community know about HFMN and the services we provide. HFMN was honored to benefit from the Broadmoor Rotary Club Cornhole Tournament, the Tri-Academy Golf Tournament, and the Super Ultra Mega Con in Colorado Springs. In June, HFMN was featured as the charity spotlight in the Rocky Mountain Vibes baseball game to celebrate military members and their families. The regular season game included some friendly competitions between Army and Air Force fans, and HFMN client, Andrew Roebuck, successfully threw out the first pitch! Additionally, Home Front Military Network sponsored the Colorado Springs community 9/11 ceremony at Memorial Park. The event paid respect to those who served, gave their lives, or lost loved ones in 9/11.
In February, HFMN held its long overdue Hail & Farewell at Epiphany to recognize long time Board Members LTG (Ret) Ed Anderson, Steve Dant, Bill Ramey, and Joan Klein for their years of service as they concluded their terms as Directors. While it was hard to say goodbye, HFMN had the pleasure of welcoming Nancy Hixson, Sallie Clark, Brian Wortinger, Brent Sabati, CJ Johnson, and Lisa Dykhoff to the Board of Directors who joined in 2021 and 2022. Home Front Military Network’s staff also grew, with the addition of Senior Case Manager, Hayley Livoti and Communications and Outreach Assistant, Sam Stone.
HFMN finally had the opportunity to celebrate its merger nearly two years after originally planned in 2020! The much-anticipated Merger Celebration of The Home Front Cares and Peak Military Care Network occurred on May 3rd of 2022 at the Penrose House. Delayed for two years due to Covid, the event celebrated the coming together of the two organizations (The Home Front Cares and Peak Military Care Network) that now make up Home Front Military Network. Kyle Hybl of El Pomar Foundation welcomed guests, and Mayor Suthers commended the organizations on an excellent merger and minimizing the duplication of services to ensure military members and their families can easily access the assistance that best suits their needs. At the Merger Celebration, guests witnessed the unveiling of the new HFMN brand and logo, and heard poignant remarks from City Councilwoman Nancy Henjum, the daughter of Joe Henjum, one of The Home Front Cares founders. HFMN leadership shared that HFMN impact to date was a testament to the fact the merger was indeed a success! Specifically, Kate Hatten and Sack Harencak shared that during its first two years, HFMN saw its call volumes had tripled, signifying the increased impact the two organizations were able to deliver by coming together.
In December, HFMN case managers participated in the Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC), a virtual resource fair to connect veterans with VA and community services. Over the two-day period, HFMN case managers spoke to 70 veterans outside of their regular call volume to connect them with resources; several of these veterans were also added to HFMN’s case load as navigation clients.
Home Front Military Network exists to give back to the individuals who have given everything for our country. Everyone on our team is dedicated to providing financial assistance, navigation, education, outreach, and information to our nation’s heroes. We understand how hard it can be to ask for help, which is why when you call Home Front Military Network, you will always be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. We are grateful to make a positive impact on the lives of our military members and their families in the great state of Colorado, and none of it would be possible without our dedicated supporters. We look forward to the opportunities and challenges that await HFMN in 2023, and we are thankful to have you by our side!
If you are interested in donating to Home Front Military Network and supporting our mission in the new year, follow the link below, and if you need help, give us a call today at 719-577-7417.
