Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is bringing expanded services to Westcliffe and Custer County, renewing a commitment to veterans and military families in one of southern Colorado's more remote regions.

The organization said it is renewing and expanding outreach in Westcliffe and throughout Custer County to reinforce its commitment to veterans and military families in the region, describing the effort as a "boots on the ground" presence to ensure that veterans in Westcliffe have consistent access to resources and support.

The move reestablishes a direct presence in the area and builds on years of service Mt. Carmel has provided across El Paso, Teller, Pueblo, Las Animas, Alamosa, and Custer counties.

Through the Westcliffe outreach, veterans and their families can access a range of support services, including veteran service officer referrals, VA benefits navigation, employment and career assistance — including support for business ownership — behavioral health resources, and connections to supportive services such as emergency and financial assistance.

Monthly outreach sessions for Custer County will be held at the West Custer County Library at 209 Main Street, on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The organization described its mission as standing "in the gap where systems fall short" and called the return to Westcliffe "a natural extension of that mission."

Veterans and families seeking more information can contact Mt. Carmel at (719) 309-4719 or through the organization's website.

Whether demand in Custer County prompts further expansion of session frequency or additional service sites across the region remains to be seen.