Empowering Veterans: The Mission Continues At SVA’s 17TH National Conference

The Student Veterans of America 17th National Conference (also known as NatCon) is an annual event that brings together student veterans, higher education professionals, nonprofits, government agencies and more to share resources and build connections. The conference offers a platform for student veterans to network, learn about career opportunities, and attend workshops on topic matters such as leadership development. 

The Mission Continues (TMC), a nonprofit that empowers veterans to continue their service through service projects in their communities, participated in the conference to engage with student veterans and highlight the organization’s initiatives. By being part of the event, The Mission Continues aimed to strengthen its relationship with student veterans and inspire them to continue their leadership roles and service in their communities.  

TMC LEADS THE CHARGE ON PROJECT DAY  

Kicking off NatCon, motivated veterans and volunteers joined Student Veterans of America and The Mission Continues at The Place in Colorado Springs. Formerly known as Urban Peak, The Place is dedicated to empowering youth to exit homelessness and build self-determined, fulfilling lives. 

The overall impact of the day included 82 volunteers, 410 service hours, and $13,730 of value from volunteer service.  

Several projects were completed throughout the day:  

• Painted 18 doors to match branding
• Organized 3 storage spaces and labeled items 
• Painted main entrance 
• Painted staff restroom
• Created a client zen room, painted and added new furniture
• Painted four staff offices
• Painted dining room and built an ADA table

FROM SERVICE TO SUCCESS: LEVERAGING VOLUNTEERISM FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT 

As one of several panels that The Mission Continues was asked to participate in, TMC received the opportunity to take the lead and participate in an inspiring panel discussion titled “From Service to Success: Leveraging Volunteerism for Career Advancement,” where the panelists explored the transformative power of volunteerism in the lives of veterans transitioning from military to civilian careers.  

This session featured a diverse group of panelists: 

 1. Derek Auguste: Army veteran, Program Director for Veteran and Military Affairs, and former Platoon Leader for The Mission Continues.  

2. T’Liza Kiel: Army veteran and Director of Alumni Engagement at The Mission Continues. 

3. Eric Sowers: Army veteran, TMC Programs Alumnus, and SVA Veteran Student of the Year Finalist.  

4. Caitlyn Barron: Communications Manager for Corporate Social Responsibility, RTX, responsible for managing military and veteran partnerships. 

Facilitated by TMC’s Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Keith Thomas, the panel shared compelling personal stories of how they successfully navigated their transitions into community-based leadership roles through active volunteer engagement. Diving into the essential skills of recruiting and engaging volunteers—participants walked away with practical strategies on how to leverage local volunteer opportunities to boost their leadership capabilities, build meaningful connections, and create a new mission that aligns with their career aspirations. 

JOINING FORCES  

At The Mission Continues, we believe in the power of unity in service, and the recent SVA NatCon provided a remarkable platform to connect and cultivate partnerships that will help us achieve our shared goals. The energy in the room was palpable as we came together, united by our commitment to serving veterans and empowering communities. 

As we reflect on the connections made during the conference, we are excited to strengthen these relationships in the upcoming year. Our aim is not only to deepen our existing partnerships but also to uplift other missions that align with our vision. By sharing resources and collaborating with organizations that specialize in areas where we may not be experts, we can create a holistic approach to support and accessibility for veterans. 

Together, we can amplify our impact and ensure that every veteran has access to the resources and opportunities they deserve. As we move forward, we look forward to working closely with all our partners to foster an environment of collaboration and shared success in our service to those who have served. 

For partnership inquires, please contact TMC Director of Partnerships, Nikki Birkhead at nbirkhead@missioncontinues.org