Speakers

Join us Friday, September 11th, as we honor those who served our country during one of the hardest times in America. Our program will be held in partnership with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, featuring a panel of post-9/11 veterans who will share how the events of that day shaped their decision to serve in uniform — and to keep serving their communities long after.

Club members and guests will also have the opportunity to share how 9/11 impacted their own willingness to serve their country and community.

On September 12th, we were all united — willing to serve, give blood, fly the flag, and join the military. 9/11 touched every one of us, and this anniversary is a chance to return to that shared spirit of commitment and service.

Concrete Couch is a Colorado Springs nonprofit dedicated to building community through creative projects. Our mission is To work with kids and community groups to create public art, to build community, and to create environments and experiences that humanize our world…  During this presentation, attendees will learn how Concrete Couch has transformed an abandoned concrete dump and former homeless encampment into the vibrant Concrete Coyote Community Park, where we now host youth programs, festivals, cultural events, workshops, and community gatherings.

Furthermore, the program will dive into the Sam Dunlap Wall of Inspiration, a community-built mosaic celebrating unsung community heroes in Colorado Springs. This project was made possible in part through the support of the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs, whose grant helped advance this meaningful community collaboration. Together, we’ll explore how creativity, service, and partnerships can beautify our city, teach valuable skills, foster belonging, and inspire communities to work together toward a shared vision. (Public Art Archive)

Presenter Bio

Thomas Pantoja is a lifelong Colorado Springs resident, raised in the Mill Street neighborhood and now residing in the Hillside neighborhood. A graduate of UCCS, Thomas has dedicated his career to strengthening the local community. Before joining Concrete Couch as Community Integration Manager, he worked with youth experiencing homelessness at Urban Peak Colorado Springs (now The PLACE). At Concrete Couch, Thomas builds partnerships, connects people with programs and volunteer opportunities, and helps advance the organization’s mission of building community through creative projects. Thomas is also an official member of the Men of Influence group in Colorado Springs  whose mission is to bring local gangs together to open the lines of communication between all factions, to help prevent violence in our community, foster open communication, prevent minor issues from escalating into street violence, and to safeguard our children and community from gun violence. Outside of work, he enjoys being a father, hiking, camping, fishing, exploring Colorado’s outdoors, and playing dominoes with his friend Coach T.

With the November 2026 General Election approaching, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, Steve Schleiker will take attendees behind the scenes of Colorado’s largest election jurisdiction.  Learn how voter rolls are maintained, ballots are protected and verified, election equipment is secured, and bipartisan teams oversee each critical step.  Steve will also highlight El Paso County’s nationally and statewide recognized innovations – including air-gapped election systems, livestreamed ballot-box cameras, and new voter-information tools – designed to strengthen election integrity, security, transparency, and public confidence.  Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what happens to their ballot, how election results are verified, and the safeguards protecting every eligible voter’s voice.

Kelly Peterschmidt is the Founder and Executive Director of Porchlight Friends and the Director
of the PEARLS Program of Colorado, two organizations dedicated to helping older adults remain
healthy, connected, and independent throughout the Pikes Peak region.

Kelly has spent more than 17 years serving older adults in a variety of leadership roles. She and
her husband previously founded, operated, and successfully sold a medical home healthcare
agency, where she gained firsthand experience supporting older adults and their families. She
later worked in hospice care before joining Silver Key, where she developed and launched its
companionship program to address the growing challenges of loneliness and social isolation
among older adults.

Inspired by the increasing need for meaningful social connection, Kelly founded Porchlight
Friends in 2023, a nonprofit organization providing companionship, transportation, and
caregiver respite to older adults and their families across El Paso County.

Kelly also leads the PEARLS Program of Colorado, an evidence-based behavioral health program
developed by the University of Washington that helps older adults experiencing mild
depression, anxiety, loneliness.

Kelly is passionate about developing innovative, community-based solutions that promote
healthy aging, emotional wellness, and meaningful human connection.

https://slopestohope.com/