We’re proud to share that Qualified Listeners was recently featured by FOX31/KDVR Denver as part of their ongoing “Serving Those Who Serve” series. The coverage highlighted one of our most meaningful recent missions — and we’re grateful for the opportunity to bring greater visibility to the work our team and community partners make possible every day.
The story centers on Andy Short, a 79-year-old Korean War veteran from Frederick who faced an extraordinary health challenge when a rare virus left him completely paralyzed. Through sheer determination, Andy made significant strides in his recovery — but even as his health improved, his home environment posed serious barriers to his independence and safety.
That’s where Qualified Listeners came in. Our founder, Greg Goettsch, and his team coordinated a comprehensive effort to transform Andy’s property into a safer, more accessible space. The project addressed several urgent needs: a failing sprinkler system was repaired, damaged sod was replaced, and — critically — a deteriorating wooden ramp at the back door was replaced with a new, wheelchair-accessible ramp. Thanks to generous support from The Home Depot and approximately $8,000 in community donations, Andy now has a home and backyard that work with him, not against him. Seeing the finished result, Andy described the experience as nothing short of unbelievable — a reaction that reminds us exactly why this work matters.
At Qualified Listeners, we often step in when veterans have run out of other options. As Greg puts it, we tend to get involved when people have heard “no” from everyone else and have nowhere left to turn. Andy’s story is a powerful example of what becomes possible when a community listens — and then acts.
Read the full story at KDVR.com.
If you’d like to support veterans like Andy in our community, we’d love to hear from you. Visit qualifiedlisteners.org to learn how you can volunteer, donate, or connect with our team.