When Wanda Head lost her husband, Ron, — a proud Army veteran and longtime Eaton resident — her world shifted overnight. After years of caring for her family, she suddenly faced an uncertain future as the bills and mortgage became her sole responsibility.

“I kept thinking, ‘What do I do now? H­­­ow am I going to get a job?’ I hadn’t worked in years, but I knew I had to do something. The house payment needed to be made. Utilities needed to be paid,” she said.

In the midst of feeling like her world was collapsing, she knew she had to move forward and find employment — quickly. She came to the Weld County Workforce Center (WCWC), previously known as Employment Services of Weld County, and immediately began her journey toward finding work. 

“When I met with a case manager, I told her I didn’t have any work experience,” Head said. “She asked me what all I did at home, and I told her that before Ron passed, I spent about 80% of my time caretaking for him. As I told her more about my past, she pointed out my pattern of nursing and caregiving. The experience was remarkable and made me realize all the transferable skills I actually had.”

At the suggestion of her case manager, Michelle Selgren, Head took a resume-writing workshop and learned to translate her years as a caregiver and homemaker into professional skills. That boost of confidence led her to a job fair, where she came across Envision, a nonprofit that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She applied, was hired, and now spends her days enhancing clients' lives.

“It’s been amazing,” she said. “The people there are just great to work with. Caring for others has always been something I’ve loved.”

“Wanda was motivated,” Selgren said. “Once she gained confidence and saw that her options weren’t so limited, we explored what the county and our community partners could do to help.”

The Weld County Department of Human Services houses both the WCWC and the Veterans Services Office (VSO) under one roof, allowing residents to move easily between employment support and benefits counseling. This close collaboration ensures that veterans and their families receive coordinated, wraparound services without having to start over with each department.

“Having the VSO embedded with the workforce center makes the customer experience easier,” Selgren said. “A veteran might come in for one thing, like employment help, but once they’re here, they see how much more we can offer.”

Head met with the VSO to learn about survivor benefits and confirm her eligibility as a common-law spouse.

“I didn’t even know if I qualified,” she said. “But they helped me prove it — I wouldn’t have known how to do that without them.”

The team also helped her explore Ron’s service history to identify possible chemical exposures that could affect her benefits.

“Even though you can go online and click the forms, there are going to be a lot of questions you’re not sure about,” she said. “Having someone help me navigate it in person, and someone I could call or email along the way, was a tremendous help.”

“One of the key benefits of working with the Veterans Services Office is the dedicated support we provide throughout the claims process,” said Gwen Jenkins, Weld County Veterans Service Navigator. “We make sure the claim is complete and well-documented — saving time and reducing stress.”

With additional guidance from WCWC staff, Head accessed an emergency mortgage assistance program that kept her housed while she looked for work. Through a referral, she qualified for hearing aids through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

“I’ve been hearing crickets and birds chirping,” she said, smiling. “It might not mean much to other people, but it means the world to me.”

Weld County’s model reflects a broader statewide effort to make employment, training, and benefits easier to navigate for veterans and their families. In 2025 alone, WCWC helped 582 veterans with job support and training, while the VSO assisted 1,580 veterans with benefits-related activities. The county also launched a new Veteran Committee under the Workforce Development Board and began hosting monthly Veteran Resource Fairs where veterans can connect with employers, education programs, and peer support networks.

These centers are often called a “best-kept secret,” but staff hope to change that by showing how many doors can open when departments and partners collaborate to serve veterans more efficiently.

“This information shouldn’t be a secret,” Selgren said. “We’re here to help veterans, their families, and anyone looking for a fresh start.”

For Head, what began as a job search turned into a life-changing experience.

“There’s so much out there that you just have no idea about,” she said. “Explore it, because you never know what you might find.”

Today, she’s thriving at Envision and looking ahead to new goals, including learning sign language and starting a small business making all-natural candles and soap. “Life didn’t stop,” she said. “It just took a turn I never expected — and I’m finding my way.”

If she could share one message with other veterans’ spouses, it would be simple: “Even if you think you don’t need anything, check it out. These are benefits he earned. Having someone sit with you makes all the difference. It won’t fill the empty space, no, but it will help you get through the day.”