We’re proud to share some exciting news — Qualified Listeners was recently featured in the Sterling Journal-Advocate, one of northeastern Colorado’s leading local news outlets. The August 2019 article highlights the growth our veteran listening program has experienced since our founding in 2017, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to share our mission with a wider audience.
When founder Greg Goettsch began Qualified Listeners, the vision was straightforward: train combat veterans to listen to other combat veterans — without judgment, without a clinical agenda, and without the barriers that often keep veterans from speaking openly. What started as a peer-to-peer listening program has steadily grown into something much larger. Today, we serve not only combat veterans but veterans of all eras, all discharge statuses, and their families — people who often tell us they’ve never talked about their experiences with anyone before.
The Journal-Advocate’s coverage speaks to a reality we see every day: the need for compassionate, veteran-centered support in our communities continues to grow. Too many veterans are not connected to the VA system — whether because they don’t qualify, don’t know what’s available, or simply don’t feel comfortable walking through those doors. Qualified Listeners exists to bridge that gap through listening, outreach, resource referrals, and advocacy. Our vetted Resource Directory ensures that when veterans and families need more than a conversation, we can connect them to services we trust.
Growth is meaningful to us only insofar as it means more veterans and families are getting the support they need. We are honored by the recognition, and we remain committed to expanding our reach across Colorado and Wyoming — one conversation at a time.
Read the full article at the Sterling Journal-Advocate.
To connect with a Qualified Listener, or to learn how you can support our mission through volunteering or donation, visit qualifiedlisteners.org or call us at 720-600-0860. No veteran should feel alone — and with your help, none of them have to.