Veteran Services in Northern Colorado – What’s it All About?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”We are Proud to welcome two local Veterans to enlighten us about their struggles and challenges many area Veterans face. We want to honor them for their service to our country.” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”ev_head”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6613″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” title=”Harrison Swift, Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center and USMC Infantry Rifleman in Afghanistan”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6614″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” title=”TJ Cruz, Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center and USMC Infantry Marine in Iraq”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]These two busy Veterans will provide an overview of the expanded Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center. Veterans Compass, a Larimer County Veterans organization, and Weld County’s Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center joined forces at the beginning of 2021.

In a Biz West Article on January 4, it noted with similar missions, values and programs, the merger will bring greater efficiency and effectiveness to both Weld County (served by NCVRC) and Larimer County (served by Veterans Compass.)  Both were developed by veterans with a passion to serve those who stepped forward, those who said yes to serve our country.

Services will continue to be offered in Larimer out of the existing Veterans Compass office in the downtown Fort Collins in the 1st National Bank building, 205 W. Oak St. and Weld County services are offered from 1919 65th Ave Unit 5B, Greeley (their office space is donated by our wonderful Evelyn Stiefel, A Frame Mortgage).

Northern Colorado Women will learn more about Harrison and TJ’s journey from the United States Marine Corps to the Non-profit world where they are providing services to help their comrades.

TJ and Harrison will share information about the many ways their Veteran peer support (case management) works, and their emergency financial assistance program. We will also learn ways that we can support their dedicated efforts to help these returning heroes.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]

During this WORKshop you will learn…

1. Current Veteran and Veteran family issues – the struggles they manage – including suicide awareness.
2. How you and the community can support our Veterans.
3. About their journey from Afghanistan and Iraq to beginning the newly merged Weld & Larimer – Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”Meet Veteran USMC Harrison Swift & TJ Cruz, Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”ev_head”][vc_column_text]Harrison Swift worked on the family farm in Iowa as a youth where he was raised. Most of his time was spent washing out pig stalls and working with the newborn piglets.

In 2010 Harrison joined the United States Marine Corps as an 0311 or infantry rifleman and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. After serving in the USMC, Harrison struggled to find employment, purpose, and support.

Many of the men he served with were dying either due to suicide or some other preventable situation. All that sadness and trauma was building his stress level and Harrison almost met the same fate as his Brothers, but luckily he got help before he met the same fate.

Now, Harrison has dedicated his life to finding solutions to the current pandemic of suicide amongst the Veteran community.

You can contact Harrison at:
Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center
HarrisonSwift@NOCOVRC.com
970- 725-2141
www.nocovrc.com[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]TJ Cruz joined the Marine Corps right out of high school in the summer of 2003. He did three deployments to Iraq over the next five years.

When he got out of the service in 2007 he had a hard time transitioning over the next four years. In 2011 he was very concerned and impacted by the fact that he had lost three friends, who he served with, due to suicide.

TJ is married with two kids and he absolutely loves sports – both playing and as a spectator. He also enjoys shooting guns in his free time.

You can contact TJ at:
TJ Cruz
Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center
TJ.Cruz@NOCOVRC.com
(303) 710-2653[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Registration Information:” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23d1345b” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”ev_head”][vc_column_text]Your Cost: Just $27 when pre-paid by 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 24th – when registration will close or when our seats are maxed-out. NOTE: we have consistently been selling out 2 weeks prior to our Workshop. Seating is limited in this beautiful venue. Sign-up below to pay online with PayPal / credit card, or you can mail or drop off your check made out to either: Northern Colorado Women in Business or Kristi’s Kreations, LLC to: 4113 W. 16th St. Rd., Greeley, CO 80634 anytime before the 24th. If no one is home just tuck your payment envelope in the flower can on the inside of the front door. All checks are held and deposited the day of our Workshop.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Workshop Day Wednesday, March 3rd Information:” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23d1345b” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”ev_head”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1554421664658{margin-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]Catering:
Set-up Divas

Check-in Hostesses:

Greeter:

Sanitizers:

Food & Beverage Servers:

Clean-up DIVAS:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Aimee Hutson, Aunt Helen’s Coffee House & Catering
4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Mar 2^nd   LaLoni Magnuson, Adamson Life Celebration Home & Donna Upton, VOXXLIFE Wearable Neurotech

7:45 a.m.  Kelly Jackson, Aims Foundation & Tara Norris, Greeley Lifestyle Magazine

7:45 a.m. Verniece Thomas, United Way of Weld County

7:45 a.m. Susan Jewell Klema, UNC & Something with Pizzaz & Megan Slusser, Greeley Village

7:45 a.m. Debbie Waines, Debbie Waines Coaching / Elway Dealerships  & Linda Winters, Accessories With a Flair!…& Hair + Robin McIntire, Training With Passion & Pam Groeger, Five Rings Financial 

Alexa Hepler, Commercial Interiors by JOF; Sarah Zurasky, Aims Foundation; Crystal Scolaro, Sears Real Estate; Alisa Anderson, Home Team Lending; and anyone else who is willing to help![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1554421691023{margin-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]Sister-to-Sister/Pay it Forward:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Sue Helfrich, Allstate Insurance-Helfrich & Associates, will be coordinate our philanthropic effort this month to benefit Zac’s Legacy Foundation – supporting families with children battling childhood cancer. You may donate $5 with your business card to help these families with some of their financial emergency needs![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]