February 17, 2011
My first CHAT outing was to the Soldier’s Memorial Chapel on the Fort Carson base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
This trek was to attend a faith-based meeting with a combination of military and church organizations offering services to the Fort Carson soldiers. This meeting is held every 3rd Thursday of every month. The meeting was largely for the purpose of education and networking. I plan to attend as often as possible making it a monthly trek.
As I drove from Golden to Colorado Springs I snapped a few pictures along the way. See the “On the Road” pictures:
I made a stop for a snack before I reached Colorado Springs at a rest stop which sits slightly above Colorado Springs and about 5 miles or so before you reach Colorado Springs.
As I approached Colorado Springs I noticed I was nervous about traveling on to the actual Fort Carson post. I would be meeting people I had never met and did not know what may or may not be expected of me as I arrived. As it turns out the meeting is comprised of informative in-services to include either presentations by the base staff or the other community veteran service organizations.
Although the original person Chaplain Carl Johnston (who directed me to this meeting) was not in attendance the Chaplain in charge who was in attendance was quite cordial to me. Note: I will get his name at the next meeting. This Chaplain made a point of speaking to me and finding out about my organization. As I explained my business was in its development stages to the Chaplain, I chatted briefly about what I had in mind for CHAT. He said it was too bad I missed last month’s meeting as there was a presentation on PTSD. I will request the slide presentation from the Chaplain’s office if it is still available.
I can’t help but believe that a minister who is based in Colorado Springs would be a great networking contact for networking among this group. At the conclusion of the event the Chaplain indicated the document used for the today’s presentation would be emailed to all of the individuals who left their email addresses. I signed in with my information checking the box to this check in list to “Share my information” with the other organizations. This should prove to be a great bit of data for networking into this group.
There were (3) speakers presenting at this meeting. The in-service presenter from the base was LTC Erin Wilkinson, Chief Child and Family Programs - speaking about families of the soldiers and more specifically the issues of the teens and children and the effect of multiple deployments on them. Although I thought at first the topic would not be germane to my organization and its interests I believe I found a good bit of information which was most useful.
The other two presenters from outside organizations (Cindy Wynn of Club Beyond and Ed Belzer Youth Pastor, Springs First Church of the Nazarene) presenting very well with great confidence and a wonderful sense of humor. They had great programs for youth (mostly teens through high school age). Their programs provide a continuing connection with the youth as they move around the country resulting from multiple deployments.
I connected with a couple of other folks who were sitting at my table. I met Shirley J. Crow, Suicide Prevention Program Manager of the United States Army Garrison Fort Carson, CO. This person is someone who could provide great information for the CHAT program and Resource Center.
In review of this event, it was most useful for CHAT and will require constant attendance to effectively network with this faith-based military and citizen group.
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