Herocare, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping public servants, is extending its resources to El Paso County. Coleen Leri, local program director, and her team of volunteers are spreading the word about the available services.”We’ve only been up and running for a few months, that’s why we’re so excited to get it out to everybody,” Leri said. She is meeting with several large employers over the next few weeks to help connect with the community and let people know about the program.El Paso County Herocare is an affiliation of local companies that provide discounts to active duty and retired military, employees of public and private school systems, government employees, first responders and health care workers. Because of the dedication and sacrifice associated with these professions, Leri said the men and women in these fields are heroes and deserve some assistance.Most of the discounts offered by Herocare are related to buying or selling a home, she said. If a “hero” takes full advantage of the network of service providers, Leri estimates a total savings of $1,500 at closing. Herocare also offers discounts on insurance policies, rental housing and financial planning. Within the next few months, the local Herocare network will include a career placement program for spouses and a real estate information Web site regarding the local market.”We want to be a resource for people and to build trust in the community,” Leri said.Deborah Whitehair, a clinical social worker in Lee County, Fla., said she enjoyed her experience with the Herocare program. “I can’t say enough good about it and (I) keep singing its praises,” she said.Whitehair sold and purchased a home using the Herocare network last year, saving $2,500 in real estate costs. She said she looks for every opportunity to use businesses in the network and has saved an additional $1,000 in auto repairs and other services.When a public servant first calls Herocare to learn about the discount program, they are connected with a concierge who walks the hero through the process from start to finish. Leri said the concierge reviews the list of possible services, determines the hero’s needs and connects them with the local office and service providers. The concierge stays in touch with the hero throughout the process and is always available to help.Leri said businesses in the Herocare network go through a rigorous selection process before being approved. “They are all basically hand-picked people, among the best in their field and have been in the business quite a long time,” she said.Although Leri is working hard to connect with major employers in the area, she said there is no need to wait. Public servants can utilize the program without their employer participating in the program.For more information about Herocare, visit www.herocare.org or call 877-437-6411.
