Honoring Service Beyond the Uniform: How Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center and MedRide Support Those Who Served
- MedRide LLC
Every Veterans Day, we pause to honor the bravery, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform. But at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center (MCVSC) in Colorado Springs, that spirit of gratitude isn’t reserved for just one day, it’s lived out every single day of the year.
This year, MedRide is proud to dedicate this space to highlight Mt. Carmel’s life-changing work and celebrate the veterans who continue to serve their communities in new ways. For us, the connection runs deep: many of our drivers are veterans, a large part of our vehicle fleet is supplied by Phil Long, an enduring sponsor of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, and our shared mission is care, access, and community.
Together, we believe that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It simply takes on a new form.
A Home for Veterans in Colorado Springs
Since opening its doors in 2016, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center has become a cornerstone of veteran support in Colorado and beyond. Located in the heart of Colorado Springs, Mt. Carmel serves as a trusted hub for veterans, service members, and their families who are seeking assistance, connection, or simply a sense of belonging.
Their mission is as straightforward as it is powerful: to empower veterans and their families to thrive through service, support, and community connection.
Mt. Carmel offers an integrated approach to care, providing coordinated access to services such as:
- Behavioral health counseling for individuals, couples, and families
- Career and transition assistance to help veterans re-enter the workforce
- Supportive services for housing, benefits navigation, and financial stability
- Wellness programs that promote mental and physical health
- Community and peer activities that rebuild camaraderie and purpose
What makes Mt. Carmel unique is its “no wrong door” philosophy. Every veteran, regardless of discharge status, branch, or time served, is welcomed with respect and connected to the resources that fit their specific needs.
In the words of a Mt. Carmel team member:
“When a veteran walks through our doors, they’re not just getting a service — they’re gaining a support system.”
This year, MedRide is proud to dedicate this space to highlight Mt. Carmel’s life-changing work and celebrate the veterans who continue to serve their communities in new ways. For us, the connection runs deep: many of our drivers are veterans, a large part of our vehicle fleet is supplied by Phil Long, an enduring sponsor of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, and our shared mission is care, access, and community.
Together, we believe that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It simply takes on a new form.
The Power of Partnership: MedRide’s Connection to Mt. Carmel
At MedRide, our mission has always been to make access to care easier, safer, and more compassionate, especially for those who have already sacrificed so much. As a non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) provider serving communities across Colorado, we understand the importance of reliability, dignity, and trust in every ride we provide.
That’s why our partnership with Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center means so much. We share a belief that transportation is more than logistics, it’s a lifeline. Whether it’s getting a veteran to a medical appointment, a counseling session, or or to pick up a prescription, every trip plays a part in building stability and connection.
Our relationship with Mt. Carmel also has special meaning because of our shared ties with Phil Long Dealerships, which supply many of the vehicles that make our service possible. Phil Long’s commitment to the community runs deep, and their enduring partnership with Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center has helped ensure that the organization remains strong, sustainable, and ready to serve for years to come.
Together, MedRide, Mt. Carmel, and Phil Long represent what’s possible when businesses and nonprofits unite behind a shared purpose: serving those who served us.
Veterans Behind the Wheel
Many of MedRide’s drivers are veterans themselves, men and women who know what it means to serve and who bring that same dedication to their roles today.
For them, driving isn’t just a job, it’s another opportunity to help others. Every day, they assist riders in getting to critical appointments, reconnecting with family, or accessing the care they deserve. They understand the value of patience, respect, and follow-through. Qualities that were shaped in service and continue to define their work today.
One of our drivers, a U.S. Army veteran, shared:
“I joined MedRide because I missed that sense of purpose. Driving gives me that back. A lot of my passengers are veterans, and when they see me in my old unit cap or we swap stories about where we served, there’s an instant bond. It reminds me that we’re still looking out for each other.”
That bond, the shared understanding between those who’ve served, is part of what makes both MedRide and Mt. Carmel so impactful in their communities. Veterans helping veterans. It’s a simple concept with a powerful ripple effect.
Why Continued Support Matters
Transitioning from military to civilian life can be one of the hardest challenges a service member faces. While military service instills resilience and adaptability, it also comes with unique challenges, from physical and mental health issues, to navigating complex benefits systems or finding meaningful civilian employment.
Mt. Carmel exists to bridge those gaps. Through one-on-one counseling, coordinated partnerships, and community outreach, they help veterans find their footing and build a foundation for long-term success.
For many, Mt. Carmel isn’t just a place to get help. It’s a place to belong again.
And through transportation support from organizations like MedRide, those services become even more accessible. Reliable transportation means a veteran can make it to a counseling session, a medially essential appointment, or to pick up their presecriptions, or connect with peers, opportunities that can make all the difference in rebuilding a stable and fulfilling life.
A Community Built on Service
Colorado Springs is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the country, with tens of thousands of former service members and military families calling the region home. This creates both a tremendous opportunity and an ongoing responsibility: to ensure those who have served are cared for, supported, and celebrated.
MedRide is proud to be part of that ecosystem of care. By working with Mt. Carmel and others across the state, we’re helping ensure that veterans in Colorado have access to transportation to and from health services, a key pillar that supports long-term well-being.
Partnerships like this prove what can happen when local businesses and veteran-focused organizations come together with a shared goal. Every partnership, every volunteer hour, every mile driven. It all contributes to a stronger, more connected community.
Mt. Carmel exists to bridge those gaps. Through one-on-one counseling, coordinated partnerships, and community outreach, they help veterans find their footing and build a foundation for long-term success.
For many, Mt. Carmel isn’t just a place to get help. It’s a place to belong again.
And through transportation support from organizations like MedRide, those services become even more accessible. Reliable transportation means a veteran can make it to a counseling session, a medially essential appointment, or to pick up their presecriptions, or connect with peers, opportunities that can make all the difference in rebuilding a stable and fulfilling life.
Celebrating Veterans Day — and Every Day
Veterans Day is a reminder to honor the past and invest in the future. It’s a time to reflect not just on the sacrifices made, but on the ongoing work of building a community that truly supports its heroes.
This year, we encourage everyone to take a moment to thank a veteran. Not just with words, but with action. Volunteer with a local veterans organization. Offer a ride. Donate. Share resources. Or simply listen to their stories.
At MedRide, we’re inspired by Mt. Carmel’s example, and committed to continuing our part in that mission every day of the year. Because honoring service means more than remembering; it means showing up.
How You Can Get Involved
If you’d like to learn more or get involved, here are a few ways to support:
- Donate to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center: Your contribution helps fund counseling, job training, and essential services for veterans, military, and their families. Veteranscenter.org/donate
- Volunteer your time: Mt. Carmel welcomes community members to help with events, mentorship, and outreach.
- Share their mission: Follow Mt. Carmel and MedRide on social media to help raise awareness about the resources available to veterans in Colorado.
- Hire veterans: If you’re a business owner, consider how your organization can benefit from the leadership, discipline, and teamwork that veterans bring to every role.
Every action, big or small, helps strengthen the support network that veterans rely on.
This year, we encourage everyone to take a moment to thank a veteran. Not just with words, but with action. Volunteer with a local veterans organization. Offer a ride. Donate. Share resources. Or simply listen to their stories.
At MedRide, we’re inspired by Mt. Carmel’s example, and committed to continuing our part in that mission every day of the year. Because honoring service means more than remembering; it means showing up.
A Shared Commitment to Service
At the heart of both Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center and MedRide is a shared belief: service never stops. Whether it’s through counseling and community programs, or safe and reliable transportation, both organizations are built on the same foundation of care, compassion, and commitment.
We’re honored to partner with Mt. Carmel, celebrate their ongoing work, and recognize the veterans who make up the backbone of our own MedRide team.
This Veterans Day, and every day, we thank those who’ve served, and reaffirm our promise to keep serving them in return.
To learn more about Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, visit https://veteranscenter.org
To learn more about MedRide, visit our About Page.